I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4.7L Quad Cab 4X4 that has the same problem as many others when it comes to sludge inside the oil baffle. Today when I went to put some oil in, I noticed after taking the oil cap off that it was smoking. Is that because of the sludge burning off or do I have a bigger problem? I will be going over 250K miles this week.

 

That's pretty normal for the mileage that you have on the engine. It will still go a lot further. You may need to change the PCV valve more often because it will tend to sludge/clog too as the engine blow-by increases with age.


I had an old Dodge with 325,000 miles on it and it had been smoking for years with I took the oil filler cap off the engine right after I shut it off (and for up to 10 minutes after).

 

Welcome to the forum 250k,

I doubt it is actually smoke. Most likely it is just condensation and very normal to see, especially this time of year.

 

++++ on the PCV valve. and dont for get the sludge is caused from moisture. the best way to get rid of it is to be sure the engine as hot as you can run it. and / or more hiway miles.

 

I would run a higher viscosity oil due to the loss of compression and the resulting blow-by.

 

Blow-by is normal - even in a new engine. Crap under the cap is normal, especially this time of year. So is seeing condensation.

No need to run a higher viscosity oil. It's spec'd at 5w-30.

The "fix" is to insulate the filler neck somehow. Then the moisture won't condense under the cap.