Milky coloured car engine oil

[Fishandchips]

Hi guys,

Sorry it's a car question, my wife bought a new smart car last year and it's just had its first service at 768 miles ))

I had it done at our local garage because I have know the mechanic for donkeys and he's a proper mechanic. He used genuine smart car parts so warranty should not be an issue.

Anyway when we went to collect the car the he showed me a sample of the oil he had drained. It mas like a milky coffee in colour but not frothy. He said he had left it a while see if it was water and separated, it hadn't. It's really thin too almost no viscosity to it. I left is overnight and it still didn't separate so took it to smart car garage today and they have booked it in for tomorrow. No idea what's in the oil but it's not water (if it is oil)

Now my worry is they find what has contaminated the oil and send us on our way. Trouble is that engine has been running in the contaminated oil for the last year, there could be engine damage not apparent now. I am thinking what's the big end bearings like or the cylinder walls? Or anything else that relies on a good quality oil.

Do you think I should be pushing for a new engine or at least a complete strip down?

Just thought I'd ask the older and wiser, also probably the younger and wiser.

Cheers

Garry

[rodrigoscs]

oh oh, that sounds like a blown head gasket!! hmy:

[steve_h80]

I would guess it's condensation from too many short runs and the engine not getting up to temperature.
Give it a decent run at least once a week to avoid a repeat if that's the cause.

[Nigel]

I would guess it's condensation from too many short runs and the engine not getting up to temperature.
Give it a decent run at least once a week to avoid a repeat if that's the cause.

(thumbs)

[KTMBLAG]

Check there's not oil in the water too.

[Fishandchips]

I dont think it's water, it's not emulsified if that's the right word.

If it was water it would separate wouldn't it?

My mechanic friend said it was odd.....

[Andi_Archer]

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ford-tells-tr ... 12398.html

[steve the grease]

If it is well emulsified it won't separate( think mayonaisse in the fridge).
It sounds very much like water. Use a very simple test as used by the biodiesel guys called the 'hot pan test'. It goes like this , put sample of oil in pan , heat it up ,does steam come off? Does the sample eventually stop steaming and turn black like oil usually is ?
If it does and you can rule out short winter runs causing condensation, then you are leaking cooling water into the sump.....

[gooseneck]

If it has done 800 odd miles in one year then most likely it's lots of short runs, that will create condensation, and it will not separate out when stood. If it is condensation, get into the habit of giving it one good long run each week to drive off the build up.
it will be interesting to hear what the smart garage diagnose.

[Heff]

oh oh, that sounds like a blown head gasket!! hmy:

That was my first thought. :S

Im guessing you have you checked the expansion tank water level ? (thumbs)