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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
94 Pontiac
Grand Am SE, White Stuff on Dipstick
Q: I own a '94 Pontiac Grand Am SE with a 4 cylinder 2.3 liter
engine with 106k miles and still runs great. The problem I'm having is
on my oil dipstick. When checking the oil I find white coagulated stuff
on it as if water was getting into my oil.. When changing the oil I have
never found any sign of water in my oil. Yet, every time I look at the
dipstick there it is! WHY? While I have your attention; Three minutes
after the work day ends my car is the only one in the parking lot. Who's
the Fool? Me for warming my car or everyone else? .....Joanne
A: Your
complaint is not uncommon to colder regions of the country. That white
milky type coagulated stuff is caused by heated oil and water vapor rising
and condensing together. Areas known for collection of this coagulated
stuff just happens to be at the drip stick tube and valve cover. The condition
will pass just as the seasons do. Who's the fool? Allowing an engine to
run for a few minutes is, without question, better for the engine. Most
of today's engines are bi-metal engines (aluminum and steel). These metals
expand at different rates as they heat. Allowing a few minutes for a bi-metal
engine to grow, to its designed dimension, without question, will extend
engine life. After all don't you stretch out a little before running a
marathon?
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