We have a 2005 Durango SLT 5.7 hemi we've had since about July '09. I have changed the oil once on it. It had a synthetic blend something or other, so I went with full synthetic Mobile 1 5w-20 this time around.
Really, this is the first time I have ever put synthetic in any of my vehicles. I do all my own oil changes on all 4 of my vehicles and have done so since i first got my license @ 16. I had always went conventional and changed religiously at 3k miles or less.
Anyways, I had to change a leaky power steering hose on the Durango last night, and I thought I would check the oil.. It appeared to need a top off, so I took the oil filler cap off and there was a bunch of stuff that would be best explained as yellow sludge. It looked like lithium grease. I turned the cap over and there was water in there that appeared to be condensation.
I cleaned it out completely with brake cleaner topped off oil and put it back.
I immediately checked my coolant level and it appeared fine. I have been searching the internet and found that there can be condensation buildup if the PCV valve isnt working properly and due to the design of the filler cap being higher than the pcv valve, that condensation may naturally collect there.
I am concerned as to the condition of the internals of the engine.
Would this be simply due to the colder temps and condensation buildup or would it be related to the synthetic oil? This is the first time i have ever seen this in my years of doing oil changes, and this is the first time i have used synthetic, so im trying to figure our if there is a relation.
Also, it is parked outside, so when the temps range about 40 degrees or lower, the oil light comes on when first started for the day. When the vehicle is shut off and turned back on, typically the oil light will go off unless its really cold. This has occurred even before i changed the oil.
I am concerned that it could be a pick up screen in the oil pan, but i have searched the internet and found others with a similar issue, so i dont know if its a common issue/false positive or there is really a mechanical issue.
Anyone ever experience the sludge or oil light issue? Anyone have any input or ideas?
Thanks in advance!
James
Really, this is the first time I have ever put synthetic in any of my vehicles. I do all my own oil changes on all 4 of my vehicles and have done so since i first got my license @ 16. I had always went conventional and changed religiously at 3k miles or less.
Anyways, I had to change a leaky power steering hose on the Durango last night, and I thought I would check the oil.. It appeared to need a top off, so I took the oil filler cap off and there was a bunch of stuff that would be best explained as yellow sludge. It looked like lithium grease. I turned the cap over and there was water in there that appeared to be condensation.
I cleaned it out completely with brake cleaner topped off oil and put it back.
I immediately checked my coolant level and it appeared fine. I have been searching the internet and found that there can be condensation buildup if the PCV valve isnt working properly and due to the design of the filler cap being higher than the pcv valve, that condensation may naturally collect there.
I am concerned as to the condition of the internals of the engine.
Would this be simply due to the colder temps and condensation buildup or would it be related to the synthetic oil? This is the first time i have ever seen this in my years of doing oil changes, and this is the first time i have used synthetic, so im trying to figure our if there is a relation.
Also, it is parked outside, so when the temps range about 40 degrees or lower, the oil light comes on when first started for the day. When the vehicle is shut off and turned back on, typically the oil light will go off unless its really cold. This has occurred even before i changed the oil.
I am concerned that it could be a pick up screen in the oil pan, but i have searched the internet and found others with a similar issue, so i dont know if its a common issue/false positive or there is really a mechanical issue.
Anyone ever experience the sludge or oil light issue? Anyone have any input or ideas?
Thanks in advance!
James