Condensation In Oil?

I changed the oil in my 04 Ram Hemi today noticed a LOT of condensation under the fill cap (it has the big plastic one that the new cars have)-enough that 5-6 drops of water went back down the fill tube. Before I filled the crankcase again, I let it ventilate for about an hour. After I refilled the crankcase, I ran it for a few minutes (not to operating temp but enough to warm it up a little) and didnt see any water in the oil, or hear anything bad and psi was normal. I checked the PCV valve it was OK.

Then I looked at my wife's Durango (4.7) which has the same fill cap as the Hemi. It was also wet with yellow jelly coagulated on the bottom. Again, the oil looked fine and its not due for an oil change for another 1000 miles.

Maybe I just never noticed it before but is this normal for all this condensation to sit up under fill caps on these engines? They seat very tight and I can see how the crankcases dont breathe as well as the older engines screw-in fill caps and breathers in the valve cover (the PCVs on both trucks tested OK)

normal in cold weather

Perfectly normal. In cooler weather it builds faster than in warm. Only cure is to drive the vehicle till it is thoroughly warmed up (not just the gauge reading) which only tells the coolant temp but not the system temp. everything has to have a chance to get to operating temperature and for long enough for condesants to be evaporated out of the system. Condensation is a natural thing for any internal combustion engine and really not just in cold temperatures. They are just more prevalent and harder to get rid of the colder it is. Another reason for frequent oil changes in colder temperatures.

its been exceptionally cold lately so I guess thats why I thought it seemed it excessive.

I hate winter

Thats normal even when driving a lot, I usually block my grill in the winter, warms up quick, and eliminates the condensation in the fill tube + better fuel milage, Dakota with a 4.7.

Hate winter??? We haven't been over 5 degrees above 0 days and down to 30 below nights for the last 3 weeks or so. Record snow with vertually no place to put it any more. Getting dangerous driving in town because you can't see around intersections.

Quote:

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its been exceptionally cold lately so I guess thats why I thought it seemed it excessive.

I hate winter

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Weenie.


On the 4.7 they make a rerouted PCV for the 4.7 to fix that problem. However, if you just switch to Synthetic fluids, it'll fix itself in a couple of oil changes.