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Author Topic: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?  (Read 2905 times)

Offline SilverC

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White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« on: January 10, 2013, 12:37:18 am »
I have a friend with a 2002 Ram 1500, 4.7L gasoline.  He has a white "scum" or heavy film in the oil filler tube and a gasoline smell in the tube/cap.  Truck runs/idles fine and does not have signs of any smoke.  No oil loss between changes @ 3,000 mi.  Radiator fluid seaps low, in time, but none is found outside of the engine.  Is it possible a PVC valve gone bad not allowing condensation to leave the engine?  How would gasoline smell get in the cap/tube?  My first guess is blown head gasket but there are no bubbles in the oil on the dip stick.

This question is above my grade!
2003 2500 CTD 4X4 Quadcab Laramie, 6 speed, Rancher Grill Guard, Luverne side-bars, B&W Hitch, Flaps, Dynatrac ball joints, One-Piece drive shaft, Bilstein shocks, FASS Titanium fuel system.

Offline jcodner

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2013, 12:52:02 am »
it sounds to me the head gasket too another way to check sometimes when you take the rad cap off and start it when it is cold you will see the coolant bubbling right off the bat
Jordon
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Offline NickBeek

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White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2013, 01:08:52 am »
That coolant is getting into the engine somewhere.
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Offline kenz

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2013, 01:20:53 am »
How often does he drive it? Does he do alot of short trips? Reason I ask is that it may be due to condensation. Engine doesn't get hot enough, long enough to burn off the moisture from condensation. My mother's car did this. White slime on the radiator cap. Thought for sure a gasket was bad, but car never lost more than a quart or so of anti-freeze a year. Not saying it can't be a head gasket, but just another idea thrown in the fire.


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Offline SilverC

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2013, 01:56:05 am »
I do not know the distance he generally drives so as to warm the engine to burn off the condensation.  He does drive it 5-6 mi. (one way) to/from work daily.  Other than that, I'll check.  I'll also have him check the "bubbling radiator."  I'm afraid its either a gasket or a crack because my opinion is that the water is getting into the oil somehow   ::?:  Too much white scum in the tube/cap!
2003 2500 CTD 4X4 Quadcab Laramie, 6 speed, Rancher Grill Guard, Luverne side-bars, B&W Hitch, Flaps, Dynatrac ball joints, One-Piece drive shaft, Bilstein shocks, FASS Titanium fuel system.

Offline ERT

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2013, 03:05:02 am »
Everybody calm down!  :taz:
 :lol:
What you're describing is perfectly normal on ALL early 4.7L's. Kenz is correct, it's from condensation. They make a little plastic insert for the filler neck that helps keep it to a minimum so people don't freak out. There's nothing wrong with anything... at least that is causing this concern   ;)


 :cheers:

Offline SilverC

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2013, 02:42:03 pm »
Cool, where can I get a "little plastic insert" (dealer only or parts store?) and does it have a specific name?
2003 2500 CTD 4X4 Quadcab Laramie, 6 speed, Rancher Grill Guard, Luverne side-bars, B&W Hitch, Flaps, Dynatrac ball joints, One-Piece drive shaft, Bilstein shocks, FASS Titanium fuel system.

Offline ERT

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Offline SilverC

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2013, 05:55:51 am »
Thanks everybody.  i found out today that he has lost about 1 quart of radiator fluid in the last 1500 mi (since oil change).  Oooops, head gasket leak and not condensation.  I thought there was an awful lot of scum for condensation.
2003 2500 CTD 4X4 Quadcab Laramie, 6 speed, Rancher Grill Guard, Luverne side-bars, B&W Hitch, Flaps, Dynatrac ball joints, One-Piece drive shaft, Bilstein shocks, FASS Titanium fuel system.

Offline ERT

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Re: White scum and gas smell in oil filler cap?
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2013, 02:16:40 pm »
  Oooops, head gasket leak and not condensation.  I thought there was an awful lot of scum for condensation.

 ::?:

I seriously doubt it. If it was a head gasket you would see it in ALL the oil, not just in the fill cap area. I would install that kit that I posted the link to before tearing into a HG job. Not saying that it couldn't be, but it is very uncommon for a HG leak on the 4.7L. There can be a lot of scum in that area, that is not uncommon. Do google search, you'll find a lot of others with the same issue....

 :cents:
« Last Edit: January 11, 2013, 02:18:59 pm by ERT »

 

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