Milky dipstick

Tiny
KAYLA PENELOPE
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 MAZDA 6
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Car ran out of water shut off on me while driving. No signs of it being overheated. Got the car home added water radiator would not hold any water when I put the cap on it. Tried to start it water would shoot out the front of the radiator so I bought a new radiator. Replaced the radiator, replace the thermostat, put coolant in the radiator tried to start would not start. Now the oil looks milky when it did not before.
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 AT 3:07 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,057 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

It does sound like a blown head gasket. If the gasket has failed between one of the cylinders and one of the cooling system ports, compressed air will enter the cooling system and do what you described. Do this. Here is a link that describes how to check for a bad head gasket. Follow the directions and see what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Let me know if you have questions or need additional information.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
KAYLA PENELOPE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I was told that even with a blown head gasket the car should still start and just not run well.
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
KAYLA PENELOPE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It does. It just does not fire or spark.
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
KAYLA PENELOPE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Now when I pull my dipstick out the oil looks normal.
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Saturday, August 25th, 2018 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,057 POSTS
Welcome back, Kayla:

Your post said it does run but there is no spark. That cannot be. Can you clarify? If the oil looks good, that is good news. However, all bad head gaskets do not leak coolant into the oil. Also, if you remove the oil fill cap, is there any creamy tan colored substances?

To determine if there is a head gasket issue, do a compression test. That will indicate of there is a head gasket issue.

Here is a link showing in general how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

The attached picture shows compression specifications.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, August 25th, 2018 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
KAYLA PENELOPE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It turns over but does not start. There is not any creamy substance on the oil filler cap and sometimes the oil looks fine and other times it looks milky.
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Monday, August 27th, 2018 AT 6:19 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,431 POSTS
When you turn the ignition key to the on position without cranking the engine over do you hear the pump in the tank prime for five seconds? Also, lets run the codes to see what comes up these two guides can help us get started.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 1:02 PM

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