1997 Pontiac Bonneville Foam around oil reservoir

Tiny
MBEAR66
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
  • 3.8L
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 182,000 MILES
There is white foam around the oil reservoir and also under the plastic piece that covers the motor. My boyfriend seems to think it has to do with the intake manifold. Other people have mentioned the Head Gasket. I need help really bad. This car is my baby and without it I have nothing, basically.
Friday, December 20th, 2013 AT 2:39 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
It does sound like coolant is mixing with the engine oil. Have you noticed the coolant level going down? If you remove the dip stick to check the oil, does it look contaminated with coolant?
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Friday, December 20th, 2013 AT 5:56 AM
Tiny
MBEAR66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for getting back to me, I really appreciate that. Inside the oil cap cover, it's covered with a orange/rust colored substance (foam I guess).
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Friday, December 20th, 2013 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
If that is the only place you see a build up and nothing is mixing with the oil, chances are the PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation) is bad and not ventilating the engine properly. Thus, it allows condensation to gather and what you see is the result. Check the PCV valve first.
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Saturday, December 21st, 2013 AT 5:09 PM

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