02 Ram 1500 QC 4wd. I change my oil every 2500 miles. Almost from the beginning I've noticed a yellowy sludge on the underside of the oil fill cap. I figure its condensation. Of course I wipe it off every time but wondering if anyone else has seen this. The sludge is only on the cap not inside the oil fill cup.

thanks

John

 

Yes I have the sludge inside the cap also, And also I'm consistent with changing oil, I guess it's just as you said condensation!!! But it does look nasty.

 

Oh and by the way my truck is a 2003 qc. 4x4 with Hemi, and your's must be either a 5.9L or a 4.7L so it's not just one certain motor!!! GOOD DAY

 

Yes, it is condensation. I also bet that it is starting to get really cold where you live and you normally drive less than 10 miles one way to work.

What happens is that water is a by product of the combustion, along with all the other stuff. This water vapor is then free to travel to the oil breather tube or wherever it wants and then it likes to condensate on nice "cold" places, such as the oil filler cap. Nothing really to worry about as long as the oil is not milky when you drain it as that is another subject.

Bottom line, clean it off the cap, try to take a longer trip every now and then, and smile that you are driving a Dodge. LOL

 

Thanks for the replies. Fortunatly I dont have water in the oil when I drain it.

 

I also forgot to add that my father's truck has around 120K miles on it and still going strong. It has had condensation on the underside of the oil fill cap since almost day one.

 

Here's an update on the oily sludge. One of my lifters either is stuck or collasped. I just took it into the dealer today to get it checked out. One of the mechanics came out to look at the sludge in the oil fill cup while I was there. After he removed the oil fill cap he removed the baffle inside the cup. (just pull straight up) It was covered (and I MEAN COVERED ) with sludge. I'd say a good 1/8 to 3/16 inch thick. Im an Industrial mechanic by trade (24years) and would never allow this kind of build up in any of my machines. Not if I wanted them to run any significant time.

No wonder I'm having a problem with the lifters. (only 50000 mi ) on 2002.

Turns out there is a Service Bullitin that address this issue on the 4.7 L eng. but dates back to sept. 11 2000 The FIX: a baffle and new cap. The same baffle im talking about. I'd say this is a band aid and not a FIX



I change my oil every 2k mi. Good thing huh. From now on I will be removing the baffle to clean it before every oil change.
I've got a couple ideas on how to FIX the mositure issue If any of you need the part numbers for the baffle and cap let me know. You should already have it if you're truck is later than 2001

 

How does a baffle help the oil sludge? Even more ponderous is how does a bad lifter not cause the engine to run rough? Sounds suspicious to me.

 

Some years ago, a friend bought a Suzuki car and experienced the same phenomenon (or so it sounds). Except, when I looked at it, the little Suk had much more than noted here, and it was about the consistency of thin pudding (but, wasn't as tasty).

Anyway, he contacted the company directly and had his correspondence referred to someone in engineering. The response was that it was a mix of oil and water (suggested to have happened due to the long ocean trip) and that it was not a problem, or potential one. Of course, it never completely went away.

Bottom line in the friend's case... he drove that car into the ground, and though many things failed with lengthy use, the engine didn't.

Obviously, we don't want this kind of crap, but there may be more to it than simple condensation, especially if internal problems occur... or not; may has just been coincidence in your case.

Good luck and I'll be on the lookout.

 

Are you folks running dino or syn oil????

Dusty