Thread: Condensation in Sheet Metal Valve Covers

Tweet

Has anybody had any problems with condensation in those sheet metal valve covers. It forms a milky sludge. Anybody know how to get rid of it?
WAP

I've seen ot more with aluminum valve covers..................heating up the engine totally usually dissipates it.

You're right these are those aluminum valve covers. Some one told me that when the motor heats up it goes away. My oil looks like it has some of it in it as well. There is alot of this sludge up in the valve covers as well. When this condensation (water) gets into my oil won't it mess somthing up?

Yes, water does tend to break sown the oil.

What does the oil on the bottom of your dip stick look like? If it is all milky too, you may have head gasket problems.

The dipstick looks good. The heads and gaskets are new. SO I dont think theres a problem there. I was just concerned about the amount of the sludge. I had some other ball milled aluminum valve covefrs and didn't have the problem. Maybe its specific to these sheet metal type?

That stuff is called "white paint" up here. It's more of a problem with certain brands of oil than others, so try switching. A hotter thermostat will reduce it, too. Make sure your PCV system is working well, to vent the moisture out.

Pope has it covered on this one. A lot of oil brands tend to lean towards a chlorine base add pack. It's like taking your wife's bleach bottle and dumping in your system. Chlorine is highly oxidizing and it's moisture content always comes to the top of the system (highset point of engine). Bad for bearings and wear reduction. It does happen to be friction reductive for a short period of time. Heat (by running engine under load) will get rid of the moisture at the valve cover but if it's chlorine caused........ya outa see what it's doing to your bottom end, bearings and stuff. double check crankcase ventilation for good draw. Whether you run standard PCV or evacuation pump.