bubbles in my oil

[jsin713]

Ok, day 2 of owning my first truck. Well, there's bubbles in my oil. I have no idea where they came from, but there's a faint smell of fuel. A friend said it could also be condensation?

 

Anyone know what could cause this? maybe a seal or something? My understanding is that the truck has sat for a souple months before i bought it.

 

I know I'm kind of being a pain, but I need help desparately.

[jsin713]

oops, i forgot.

 

It's a 1988 pickup w/ 4.3 and auto trans. 75k miles

[JimG]

Bubbles? Well, oil and gasoline will mix, so I don't think you'd see gas bubbles. If I'm wrong someone please correct me. Definitely is something with water in it - either condensation or perhaps antifreeze.

Personally, I'd change the oil and filter, maybe get an oil analysis done and see what's floating around in it and go from there. If it's antifreeze that's bad. In my opinion, condensation wouldn't surprise me if the truck has sat through hot and cold weather - eventually moisture will condense and then find its way down into the oil.

[bbb]

check your intake gskts

[stlmaj]

Usually when water and oil mix the oil will turn a milky brown.

 

Matt

[sjspor]

Bubbles?? Hmm... if the oil is brown, foamy, or gray streaked you have water in there. Now where did it come from? If the truck is only been driven short distences, it could be condensation. The good news is the 4.3's are not noted for any sort of gasket issues. It's a good old cast iron block and heads.

 

So, Change your oil, top of your anitfreeze, change your pcv valve and make sure the thermostat is working correctly. An motor that runs too cool will not boil off condesnstion that forms and it will sludge the oil. You can get a pressure test too, but this may be a wait and see.

[citydriver]

If the truck sat for awhile b4 you bought it,you should change the oil and check it over the next couple days..also there may be some air bubbles on the dipstick if you check it immediately after you shut the engine down...but if it sat,condensation will form inside the engine,especially if it doesnt run long enough to get to operating temp.....basically ,I agree w/the others