Coolant in Oil

Got an oil change today and the guy said there's a little coolant in the oil by showing me the oil cap. I saw a video saying that if you don't drive for a long distance and it's cold outside (like right now) then it's probably just condensation in the engine and it's not burning off. Coolant levels were fine, but what could be the cause? I'll be taking it to a mechanic soon, just not Toyota directly because they charge 100% more than everyone else for no apparent reason

 

Head gasket.

 

Coolant in oil diagnosed by gas cap. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that.

 

What color was this stuff on the underside of the oil filler cap (you said gas cap but believe you meant oil)?

 

Well did you check the coolant level? Is it low?

To know for sure and for less than the mechanics will charge you, get the oil tested by blackstone, may need to wait a couple thousand miles first....you'll learn for sure if it does, exactly how much along with lots of other fun stuff about your oil. Luck.

 

I'm assuming you meant oil cap (not gas cap). But yes, there could be some condensation on the oil cap if driven short distances. It may not get hot enough to normal operating temps to "burn" off the condesation.

 

Yes sorry, oil cap. Under the cap was slightly muddy brownish. They didn't tell me if the oil they drained was muddy too. I only drive like 8 minutes to and from work and it's near zero degrees most nights. Coolant level was a little low

 

Brownish, yes just condensation, wipe it off good and drive it around and check it again, and when cooled down check radiator cap , if oil in water it will be floating on top,and in reservoir tank will be oily inside.

 

O.K. That distance is not nearly far enough to get the engine to full temperature AND stay at full temp long enough to cook off all the condensation.

Take a picture of the underside of the oil cap tomorrow morning and share it with us.

 

I'm very wary of anything told to me by an "oil change place."

SPP

 

I am thinking this sounds more like condensation rather than coolant as others have said. You could do an oil analysis but you would really need to put some miles on it first. Personally, I would just check the dipstick every week and see.

 

Worst case scenario if it is my head gasket what do you approximate that that will cost?

 

It’s totally normal to have some mayonnaise build-up on the oil cap when the oil filler is an extended neck like these. The cap is a nice cool spot for condensation to form. And yes, short trips in cold weather make it worse.

If your coolant level isn’t dropping, and you have no other symptoms, carry on with life.

 

If it ends up being the gasket, I'll probably just get rid of the truck

 

I wouldn't get rid of the truck without doing an exhaust gas test on the coolant. The kits are pretty inexpensive, and that will tell you what you're dealing with.

 

How many miles on the truck?
I’ve never taken a vehicle to an oil change place. Always have changed my own oil. And most of my high mileage vehicles built up gunk in oil cap.

 

Don't go there yet. Start simple and cheap, it's probably condensation but watch your coolant level.

 

Normal to have the build up in a truck driven short distances.
You may want to replace your PCV valve. Cheap easy fix. When they go bad they allow high pressure to blow out gaskets, etc in your engine.
If it still bothers you. You can add a oil catch can to the PCV side. Depending on the brand(the more you spend the more it filters), it separates vapors and other gases from the oil.

 

Okay. That looks like coolant and not just condensation

 

Looks different than my oil cap. But one time on my old chevy, pennzoil did that exact same deposit

 

I have what I call banana pudding on my oil cap. Short drives thru MN winters. My oil comes out as oil when I change it.

I would've asked to see the oil for the chocolate milkshake, not so much the cap.

 

if there's coolant in your oil, it'll be everywhere, not only the underside of the oil filler cap. Check your dipstick oil's color. If you just had it changed, it should still be a dark coffee color.

Another suggestion, drive around for a while, normal driving for 20 minutes or so if possible, then check the underside of the filler cap when it's hot. Still got that rice pudding color?

Other ways to test the oil: https://www.machinerylubrication.co...n bubbles or a dried,as a test for antifreeze.

 

Most of the time that's condensation form short trips, means you don't drive it long enough for the engine to get hot enough!

 

My wife thinks I take too long running errands.

Even if I just need to run down the street, I'm not starting a vehicle to drive it for a mile and shut it off. I like to explore first. Take the scenic route.

 

I've checked my oil since then and it's still just looks like oil so I'm assuming this problem is just the cap alone.

 

You are not the first and will not be the last to be worried about it.
It is a weekly post that pops up in the Facebook Tundra Group pages too.

 

Take it for a long drive and I bet it goes away. As others said, here’s another vote for it’s not anything to be worried about. Just condensation.

 

This is normal in humid climates especially if you are driving short distances.