ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ADavis on January 19, 2006, 09:59:44 PM
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Okay all, I think I might have a head gasket leak. The Tracker only has about 116,000 miles on it but the previous owner didn't change the oil for 5 years before I got it...basically he drove the shit out of it and that is it! It runs great and doesn't use any water. Now, I've changed the oil in it twice (I've only driven it about 1,500 miles in the last year) and there is just a little white cream that forms on the inside of the oil cap. It has always done that since I've changed the oil the first time. When I changed the timing belt, there was not signs of water in the oil or around the vaulves. When I changed the oil again I looked for water and nothing. I even panned out most of the oil, knowing that if there was water in the oil that it would be at the bottom of the pan. Is it possible that some moisture gets into the vaulve cover from a different source. If it wasn't for the very little white deposite on the inside of the oil cap, I wouldn't even be concerned. It runs great, doesn't smoke, doesn't use any water (never had to add a drop), always runs cool, and no water in oil when I change it. Any ideas?
Thanks
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Water gets mixed into the oil, so you won't see
the water, and if you are getting water into the
oil you would see what is called "milkshake" oil
How many miles do you drive daily?
What oil are you using, weight/brand?
Don't use Fram filters, get a Napa Gold
or Silver, OR a Purolator if the others
are not available.
There can be some condensation that builds up
on the oil cap, but it usually goes away as you
drive, one of the things a short trip doesn't do,
and why you should change oil every 3 months
even if you don't have 3000 miles on that change
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I really don't drive it much. Maybe one time to the store in about a two week period. If I drive it 20 miles in a month, that is a lot. This week I might of driven it 40 miles because I took it to work one day. I just Cheveron Oil and a Fram Oil Filter. I hate the Frams but all they had were Fram and Purolator. I'll change the out to a Purolator, I didn't know they were better. I might actually get a dealer filter, they seem to be really good. I use to use Fram all the time but there quality has gotten really bad. thanks for the info.
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as wild said - you dont drive the vehicle enough to get the engine temp up to a point where it will burn off the condensation that builds up in the crankcase. its a common thing here in whistler where i live. it takes 20 min to drive from one end of town to the other. you should also check the pcv system to make sure that none of the hoses and breather lines are plugged. if it went as long as 4 years w/o an oil change alot of sludge will build up in the engine and the pcv system. clean all of that out and change your oil every 3 months and it should be ok. i wouldn't worry about it being a head gasket - just condensation build up.
derek
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You have condensation in your crank case
because you don't drive it enough to get the
oil good and hot and dry out the water vapor
that sneaks by the rings. For every gallon of
gasoline you burn, a gallon of water also comes
out of the exhaust pipe, and what gets past the
rings is condensing on the oil fill cap.
The cure, drive your fun little Trucklet more, take
it out for a drive and get the oil good and hot, but
make sure to change your oil every 3 months to
prevent contamination buildup, fewer miles is harder
on the oil than 5000 miles.
EDIT:
PVC, Good point I forgot to mention. If Penzoil was used
you might have lots of sludge buildup, I'm not trying to
knock anyones choice of oil, this is just an observation
from tearing down engines over the last 20 or so years
Wild
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Thanks for the input guys. It has taken a lot of work just to get this thing legal to drive...and I'm almost there. I'm still lacking two bumpers but I have never been bugged about that. I will probably be driving it more to work now. ;D
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Mine normally has a small amount of condensation under the cap, has done it for years, but I don't drive it nearly as much as I used to because I live close enough to work I walk now. I wouldn't worry about it unless you start seeing it when you drain the oil.
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I would have to concur (Especially on the Penzoil ;D ). I drive my Samurai 52 miles a day and I don't have that build up. My roomates gets driven about 3 miles per day and his always has the little white build-up. No problems with it. I would worry about to much.
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Okay, you guys were right. I drove the Tracker about 130 miles today and no white cream under the cap. I was very happy with how well it ran. ;D