Milky Oil...... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 08:11 PM

So i went to check out all the levels on my truck today and when i pulled out my oil dipstick there was "milk" towards the top like around the seal but none down where you read it at, it was to the full mark of nice gold oil. I pulled the valve cover and there was "milk" all over inside it. The intake is leaking oil and coolant in a couple of the spots where the bolts are at. Im wondering if this is a head gasket or an intake gasket? It doesn't smoke at all when you start it or rev it up and its a new rebuilt 383. Any help would be appreciated, intake or head gasket? And also what are some methods of getting water out of the crankcase? If i change either of these gaskets i'll probably end up with some water in my oil and i'll need to get it and all of the milk flushed out.

manimal · 11-05-2006, 08:18 PM

have you noticed any fluid loss in your radiator? have you had any heavy rain? It could be condinsation build up. Do you have aluminum valve covers?

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 08:26 PM

The valve covers are chrome tin, I have lost fluid, and no have't had any rain lately.

manimal · 11-05-2006, 08:46 PM

then most likley an intake or head gasket!

manimal · 11-05-2006, 08:47 PM

Unless you have recently washed your engine?!

Longhorn Man · 11-05-2006, 09:05 PM

Do you have a PCV valve hooked up on it?

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 09:15 PM

No PCV valve but i do have an oil breather. Actually i did just recently wash it but not very much on the engine. How do i tell if its intake or head?

Longhorn Man · 11-05-2006, 09:59 PM

Being that there was no water in the actual oil... I don;'t think you actually have a gasket problem. Sounds more like you need a properly functioning PCV system.

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 10:13 PM

I see, could you explain to me why this is? Need more info

**clay68c10** · 11-05-2006, 11:02 PM

It'll pull the vapor out of the crankcase and burn it, otherwise you get the moisture buildup. Without a pcv system, that condensation has nowhere to go. There's also something to be said for a partial crank case vacuum helping your seals do their job a little easier.

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 11:09 PM

Ok, so i have a PCV valve in the valve cover but its not hooked to the carb.....it needs to be, because there needs to be vacuum sucking the moisture and pressure out of the crankcase, right?

GMCMAX · 11-05-2006, 11:16 PM

That would be correct

shane72_383 · 11-05-2006, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the input i guess i'll try that, but how do i get all the milk out of the engine?

**clay68c10** · 11-05-2006, 11:34 PM

Some good distance (operating temp) highway driving will eventually burn out all the yuk. Or, pull the tin and scrape it all out.

Longhorn Man · 11-06-2006, 12:51 AM

The PCV system also pulls out acidic vapors which contaminate the oil and can damage engine internals too.

Huck · 11-06-2006, 09:04 AM

I never had milky oil in my old "non-pvc" vehicles unless I had a blown head gasket, cracked head or other nasty thing. If you hook up a pcv valve to vacuum and change your oil-----you should see clean non-milky oil--PERIOD!
If you have been loosing coolent---where do you think it has been going? Now all these trucks tend to run with their radiators about 2-3 inches low and filling them to the top only makes them pee it back out once hot. Unfortunately, the 350's had a tendancy to have heads that would crack--common problem. Also lot of guys change intake manifolds and when retightening them do not use sealent on the intake bolts which is required, so you sometimes get coolent to come up the intake bolt holes which can let coolent into the upper block but---that said, I suspect a blown headgasket and or a cracked head. Good luck.

junkyardjohn · 11-06-2006, 09:25 AM

IF YOU HEAR HOOFBEATS.... DON'T LOOK AROUND EXPECTING TO SEE ZEBRAS.

JOHN

**tkeduk8r** · 11-06-2006, 05:59 PM

i just checked my oil in my 74, and it oo was a shade milky, seems to do it just when its cold... i do not run a pcv as i use a 68 327 intake with oil filler and old 283 script valve covers... so i always assumed that it was condensation its not there in the summer just winter driving and only until the motor gets warmed up... i do however see it milky on the breather cover when cold but not on the dipstick... just my 2 cents...
--Mike

Longhorn Man · 11-06-2006, 06:40 PM

The non PCV engines had that draft tube, or the under intake system, so they were not sealed, and actually had a slight suction to them to draw out the vapors and moisture.

Elsie72 · 11-07-2006, 01:06 AM

Short trips during cold weather will cause milky deposits on the oil fill cap, dipstick, etc.

There's not enough heat produce in the engine during short trips to evaporate the water vapor that's drawn in when the engine cools.

11-05-2006, 08:11 PM	#1
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Milky Oil...... So i went to check out all the levels on my truck today and when i pulled out my oil dipstick there was "milk" towards the top like around the seal but none down where you read it at, it was to the full mark of nice gold oil. I pulled the valve cover and there was "milk" all over inside it. The intake is leaking oil and coolant in a couple of the spots where the bolts are at. Im wondering if this is a head gasket or an intake gasket? It doesn't smoke at all when you start it or rev it up and its a new rebuilt 383. Any help would be appreciated, intake or head gasket? And also what are some methods of getting water out of the crankcase? If i change either of these gaskets i'll probably end up with some water in my oil and i'll need to get it and all of the milk flushed out.

11-05-2006, 08:18 PM	#2
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Milky Oil...... have you noticed any fluid loss in your radiator? have you had any heavy rain? It could be condinsation build up. Do you have aluminum valve covers?

11-05-2006, 08:26 PM	#3
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Re: Milky Oil...... The valve covers are chrome tin, I have lost fluid, and no have't had any rain lately.

11-05-2006, 08:46 PM	#4
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Milky Oil...... then most likley an intake or head gasket!

11-05-2006, 08:47 PM	#5
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Milky Oil...... Unless you have recently washed your engine?!

11-05-2006, 09:05 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Milky Oil...... Do you have a PCV valve hooked up on it?

11-05-2006, 09:15 PM	#7
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Re: Milky Oil...... No PCV valve but i do have an oil breather. Actually i did just recently wash it but not very much on the engine. How do i tell if its intake or head?

11-05-2006, 09:59 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Milky Oil...... Being that there was no water in the actual oil... I don;'t think you actually have a gasket problem. Sounds more like you need a properly functioning PCV system.

11-05-2006, 10:13 PM	#9
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Re: Milky Oil...... I see, could you explain to me why this is? Need more info

11-05-2006, 11:02 PM	#10
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: Milky Oil...... It'll pull the vapor out of the crankcase and burn it, otherwise you get the moisture buildup. Without a pcv system, that condensation has nowhere to go. There's also something to be said for a partial crank case vacuum helping your seals do their job a little easier. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

11-05-2006, 11:09 PM	#11
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Re: Milky Oil...... Ok, so i have a PCV valve in the valve cover but its not hooked to the carb.....it needs to be, because there needs to be vacuum sucking the moisture and pressure out of the crankcase, right?

11-05-2006, 11:16 PM	#12
GMCMAX Active Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lower Mid-East Ca. Posts: 326	Re: Milky Oil...... That would be correct __________________ Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig! Gets More Chicks My lugnuts require more torque than your honda makes! 68 GMC, 4X4 conversion w/73 k20 running gear and springs, 350 4spd, 4.10's, D44 powerlok front, 14BFF govlock rear, 33" tires, lifted 4".

11-05-2006, 11:17 PM	#13
shane72_383 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Osawatomie,KS Posts: 119	Re: Milky Oil...... Thanks for the input i guess i'll try that, but how do i get all the milk out of the engine?

11-05-2006, 11:34 PM	#14
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: Milky Oil...... Some good distance (operating temp) highway driving will eventually burn out all the yuk. Or, pull the tin and scrape it all out. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

11-06-2006, 12:51 AM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Milky Oil...... The PCV system also pulls out acidic vapors which contaminate the oil and can damage engine internals too.



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11-06-2006, 09:04 AM	#16
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: Milky Oil...... I never had milky oil in my old "non-pvc" vehicles unless I had a blown head gasket, cracked head or other nasty thing. If you hook up a pcv valve to vacuum and change your oil-----you should see clean non-milky oil--PERIOD! If you have been loosing coolent---where do you think it has been going? Now all these trucks tend to run with their radiators about 2-3 inches low and filling them to the top only makes them pee it back out once hot. Unfortunately, the 350's had a tendancy to have heads that would crack--common problem. Also lot of guys change intake manifolds and when retightening them do not use sealent on the intake bolts which is required, so you sometimes get coolent to come up the intake bolt holes which can let coolent into the upper block but---that said, I suspect a blown headgasket and or a cracked head. Good luck.

11-06-2006, 09:25 AM	#17
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	Re: Milky Oil...... IF YOU HEAR HOOFBEATS.... DON'T LOOK AROUND EXPECTING TO SEE ZEBRAS. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

11-06-2006, 05:59 PM	#18
tkeduk8r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 1,462	Re: Milky Oil...... i just checked my oil in my 74, and it oo was a shade milky, seems to do it just when its cold... i do not run a pcv as i use a 68 327 intake with oil filler and old 283 script valve covers... so i always assumed that it was condensation its not there in the summer just winter driving and only until the motor gets warmed up... i do however see it milky on the breather cover when cold but not on the dipstick... just my 2 cents... --Mike __________________ 63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's

11-06-2006, 06:40 PM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Milky Oil...... The non PCV engines had that draft tube, or the under intake system, so they were not sealed, and actually had a slight suction to them to draw out the vapors and moisture.

11-07-2006, 01:06 AM	#20
Elsie72 Chinook Arch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: High River, Alberta, Canada Posts: 218	Re: Milky Oil...... Short trips during cold weather will cause milky deposits on the oil fill cap, dipstick, etc. There's not enough heat produce in the engine during short trips to evaporate the water vapor that's drawn in when the engine cools. __________________ 1972 GMC 1500 Custom - Bought used by Grandpa in '74, currently back on the road after a long hiatus. Elsie's truck 2.5" dual exhaust with Hooker Aero Chambers Holley 670 Street Avenger Edelbrock Performer RPM on GMPP 290HP 350 ECE drop 3.5/5

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