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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: birdy411 on February 13, 2010, 01:13:35 pm

Title: HELP!!!!
Post by: birdy411 on February 13, 2010, 01:13:35 pm

Hey guys, I pulled out the crankcase vent from the my 350 valve cover (the one that goes to the air breather) There was yellow-green gunk in that vent tube, and also gummed on the inside of the oil cap, about the consistency of spreadable butter. I'm pretty sure this is a brand new thing because the last time i checked there was nothing like this.

The oil is clean on the dipstick, and there is no visible green gunk on the lifters when i look inside the oil opening. Nor does the antifreeze in the radiator look compromised.

yellow green makes me think antifreeze...but i'm pretty dang sure the truck has not run hot at all.

is there anything i should be afraid of here?

Thanks

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: VileZambonie on February 13, 2010, 02:19:17 pm

What thermostat are you running? A 195° would be ideal especially in cooler areas where warm ups take longer. Condensation is most likely the cause. Clean everything up, run a crankcase cleaner and change the oil, breather & PCV valve

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: birdy411 on February 13, 2010, 03:23:25 pm

Thermostat is stock, whatever that is.  PCV valve is relatively new. What engine flush would you recommend in keeping with a budget? Thanks.

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: birdy411 on February 13, 2010, 03:29:52 pm

my shop manual said stock thermostat engages @ 185 degrees... and the air cleaner is new.

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: Marc on February 13, 2010, 07:04:47 pm

give it a good hard run on the highway and check it.  If they never get a chance to get good and hot especially in the winter they will sludge up.  How long does it usually run for?

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: birdy411 on February 15, 2010, 01:06:14 pm

the last time i ran it before i found this was probably about 15 minutes.

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: jaredts on February 15, 2010, 03:16:25 pm

Its not just the length of time of the last "run".  It takes a period of nothing but short trips to develop condensation sludge.  If you're sure this happened quickly you could have a problem.  If it were mine I would probably just change the oil and clean the filler cap and vent hose and try to drive it on long trips almost daily if possible (30+miles).  Keep a close eye on your dipstick for that evil milky stuff.  If you haven't been driving very long distances as a rule its probably nothing to worry about.

Title: Re: HELP!!!!
Post by: birdy411 on February 23, 2010, 12:50:38 pm

ok, thanks. yeah short trips are probably doing it then.