Cloudy Oil during Routine Oil Change

I do my own oil changes and use 10W30 conventional oil every 5k. This time I had cappuccino like froth and I know somethings up. Do i have a gasket leak? 2014 TRD V6 double cab short bed with 115k. thanks in advance

 

Ugh.....that looks like coolant in the oil

 

Have you checked the condition of the coolant?

 

Saw that same cappuccino come out of an early 80s Civic some years ago.
The color became a bit more milk shake-like as more coolant got into the oil.

 

Uh oh. Has it ever overheated?

 

I'll check the coolant in the morning, no issues with overheating.

 

Check for steam out of the tail pipe also. Most likely head gasket,. But cracks in the block or heads can cause it as well. Definitely don't run it without fresh oil.

 

Yikes!!

Head gasket issue

 

Its either coolant or heavy condensation, was there any really humid or flooding months during the summer? Do you have short drives?

If the coolant level and condition are ok, I'd just monitor it and see if it happens again.

Coolant entering oil doesn't usually happen with Toyotas unless something severe happened, so maybe don't panic unless it continues.

 

Damn, that looks like a head gasket issue. As a few others have mentioned, there could be several causes, but in my experience none are good. Hope you get it figured out and it isn't anything serious (fingers crossed).

 

Yes this!!! Exactly what @Bishop84 said.
Don’t jump to conclusions. As the engine cools it creates condensation. Then the next time the vehicle runs the water can emulsify in the oil. When the engine gets up to normal temp the water will flash off. Short trips will prevent this condensation from dissipating but more condensation can accumulate when it cools off again.

 

That does look like a head gasket or cracked water jacket.

I've never seen Humidity cause anything like that even with very short trips...

I have my fingers crossed for you OP, but it doesn't look good.

Was it possibly over filled and the crank is whipping the oil up to a froth?

Let it settle over night and see what it looks like then.

 

What does it look like under the layer of froth? From my experience, when oil gets wet it turns milky all over. If all you have is a top layer I’d be really interested in the diagnosis.

 

I’m almost wondering if this is just a surface issue you may have a bad vacuum leak putting air in your oil.

 

I'm interested in hearing what the OP says about his coolant level. If that came out of my truck I would be highly concerned.

 

Look under the oil cap and see what the valve train looks like. If its a short tripper id switch to 5W30 synthetic. You'll see a milky residue under the oil cap on a short tripper due to unburned off moisture.

 

I had a fuel pump leak gas into the motor oil once in a 351W (71 Torino) and it exploded the engine including the head gaskets. Car still ran until it got hot. Oil looked just like that. I was standing by the car when it blew and just missed getting hit with a oil cap flying by. For you I hope it is not what I think it is.

 

Well the coolant level was below the low mark. filled that up. checked the oil which i just swapped out yesterday and i see some microscopic bubbles. also see where i circled a flake of something, wasn't hard like metal, more like a piece of corrosion.

 

Suspect coolant is getting into the oil.

Best to take it to a shop for a few tests.....Ie: Compression test, Leak Down test, Coolant pressure test...

These tests will help to isolate the problem child. I'm sure a deeper investigation will be needed.

In the end, you have a problem developing. Get on the solution sooner rather than waiting for a major problem.