I went for an oil change three days ago because I didn’t want to lie on the ground while I changed the oil. I a. Leary of all the “additional services” the oil change place offers. This time they show me the cap where the oil goes in. The tech puts his finger in the cap and pulls out gunk which is the color of coffee with creamer in it. He said I needed an engine cleaning treatment to solve the problem. My concern is I saw this color before when oil and water mixed, a blown head gasket. There is no odd color on the dip stick. The car is a 2010 Nissan Cube. I do not want to admit this car is mine, but it is. Does this odd color gunk under the cap mean anything?
Personally, I wouldn’t put any weight behind the opinion of anyone saying an “engine cleaning treament” would solve what could be the sign of a blown head gasket. All his “treatment” will “clean out” is dollars from your wallet.
If the oil on the dipstick is normal/clean, go on with your life and the dollars you’ve saved yourself. Monitor the oil on the dipstick for color changes, as well as the engine coolant level.
Good luck.
The gunk is usually a sign of moisture from not fully warming up car and making lots of short trips. Not everyone can drive 50miles a day to get motor hot. U have a fairly NEW car. Any warranty? How does tech explain your new motor is crudded up or worn out? It’s certainly not an AGE issue?
In most cases this is perfectly normal…especially if you live in colder climates or do a lot of short driving. Moisture will build up in a car as it cools. I seriously doubt you have a problem.
As for engine cleaning…that’s a bunch of bull. They are just trying to sell you one of the very very expensive and unnecessary services.
My advice…Get used to lying on the ground and change your own oil. I don’t have a lift…so I’ve been doing it that way for over 40 years.
The gunk is usually a sign of moisture from not fully warming up car and making lots of short trips. Not everyone can drive 50miles a day to get motor hot
Just getting the vehicle up to normal operating temps for a few minutes is fine. In most cases that’s less then 10 miles.
My suggestion is to start using a real mechanic instead of an oil change place. You’re more likely to get honest information that way.
Agree with the others, if there was a problem it’d be the head gasket, but it’s much more likely the result of cold weather and short trips on such a new car.
And you know now to ignore this guy’s advice, an “engine cleaning treatment” is NEVER the solution to anything, except for how to give them your money.
Count me as another one who agrees with the others. Asking a technician at an “oil change place” for mechanical advice is akin to asking a burger flipper at McD’s about cattle ranching.
We used to get that on a German car in the winter but not when the weather was warm. It never made a problem as the engine was perfect when I got rid of the car. The body was going away at about 12 years.
If it is just under the oil cap and no where else, then I would not be concerned. The oil cap is one of the coolest parts in the engine and moisture from atmospheric humidity will accumulate and condense there. If you see it on the dipstick, then worry.