I have a 3.3L 1995 Dodge Caravan. I just noticed a white foam coming from the hose on top of the front valve cover. The hose leads to the air cleaner. The hose had clear water running out of it when I lifted it out (maybe half an ounce). Foamy stuff did not run out. The foamy stuff feels more slippery than water. The air filter and those little square debris pads were soaked. There is no water or foam that I can see on the dipstick. The inside of the oil filler cap had foam around it also . This just started. The car has many miles on it and has never had a head gasket replaced. The valve cover gaskets were just replaced and nothing unusual noted. The car runs fine when cold, but gets a little jerky when it heats up. The coolant level hasn’t dropped (that I’ve noted) and the exhaust is clear (no white smoke.) Thoughts? Is it worth it to do just one head gasket (if that’s the problem.) Do the powdered metal additives work?
A lot of short trips, clogged PCV system (check more than just the valve) or a bad thermostat could be the cause.
Sounds like your crankcase ventilation system has failed completely…Replace the PCV and clean the entire system, including the vacuum port the valve is connected to…
If it turns out you have so much blow-by the PCV system is overwhelmed, it’s because the engine has reached the end of its useful life…
Sounds like a cracked head to me…get rid of it before someone notices…
I don’t think this is serious, certainly not a head gasket or cracked head. You draw fresh air through this tube to replace air sucked out by the PCV valve. I would replace the PCV valve, the rubber grommet it goes into and the rubber hose attached to it. Then clean/replace this hose and its filters.
I took it to a local mechanic. They cleaned the PVC system. Seems to be fine now. I driven about 100 miles and no new foaming. Thanks all.
Yeah I think I am with Caddyman on this one…unless you have noticed your coolant dropping and or your oil looks like a malted milk shake it isnt the head gasket…YET… Just like Caddy says…lots o short trips and a failing PCV system will do this…you need to make sure all is good with the pcv valve and get the engine HOT…for at least an hour or two to boil out that moisture …
Blackbird
“Just like Caddy says…lots o short trips and a failing PCV system will do this”
Maybe you should re-check who said what…