Replaced LIM gasket, light sludge in oil

[mbrearley]

I replaced my lower intake manifold gasket back 2 weekends ago. This past weekend I did an oil change, using some GUNK engine flush first, then putting some cheap stuff in to run for about 300 miles, then was planning on doing another GUNK treatment and replacing with my usual Valvoline Synthetic Blend. (replacing oil filter each time)

The problem , which maybe it's not a problem, is that there is light colored sludge covering the bottom of my oil cap when I pull it off and also all around the inside area of the valve cover that I can see with the cap off. There's no sweet smell making me think it might not be antifreeze, but I'm worried that it is.

Could the engine flush have just loosened some stuff up that's causing it? If so, would it be light colored? It's kind of a light cream color.

Any idea? Should I just wait till after the 300 miles and I do the second oil change? Should I put cheap stuff in again to be on the safe side? (I don't want to run the more expensive stuff in it if I'm just going to be changing it again in a week).

--
Mike
2001 Pontiac GrandAm
125k + miles

[Prospeeder]

well there could just be some left over coolant in the oil passages working thier way out, give it a couple oil changes

[RedGrandAm2003]

Yeah.. I actually had a similar problem with my ATV. I drowned the airbox with water and I had to change my oil 7+ times. All you got to do is have the engine on, drive a few miles, turn off, drain, repeat. You must change the filter too. Unfortunately. Could cost you quite a bit of money for that filter? Never really bought a regular blend oil filter... just go to walmart and buy their crappy oil and use that or whatever for the 1 - 2 miles you drive. then replace. that will get the creamy color out.

[mbrearley]

Second run with cheap oil and cheap oil filter after a second engine flush. I've driven the car for about 100 miles since and there's just a slight (very slight) streak of cream colored oil on the cap and hardly a trace visible within the vavle cover that I can see. *sigh of relief*

This weekend I'll be putting the sythetic back in with a better filter.

Thanks,
Mike

[pokesmot]

I do oil changes all the time, I wouldnt be too concerned.

I think its just steam that mixes with the oil and rises to the top and sticks to the oil cap. as long as the oil isnt gunky, should be ok.

[AJSpeedAM100MPH]

mbrearley are you leaking antifreeze still?

[mbrearley]

Originally posted by AJSpeedAM100MPH
mbrearley are you leaking antifreeze

Nope, it was just residue or possibly from the running the synthetic in it for its entire life then going to the regular oil to get all the junk flushed out. After the last oil change, my oil is clean... I'm running the cheap stuff in there for at least an additional week and will change it either this weekend or next, but so far, the car is running great and no coolant in the oil.

--
Mike

[AJSpeedAM100MPH]

Is that the first time you changed the gaskets on your car? My dads had his changes three times on his transport with the same engine as mine. I just replaced them on my car with my dad resently and im hoping not to have to do it again. My dads said the new gaskets our of better quality though so hopefully i won't have to do it the future.

[greenpony]

Mike,

I'm planning on replacing the LIM gasket on my wife's G/A over Memorial Day weekend. What gaskets are needed to complete the job? From reading the manual, it sounds like I'll only need the Upper to Lower Intake gasket, and the Lower Intake to Engine gaskets. Are these the only one's needed, or do I need to get more? Thanks in advance...

Steve

[mbrearley]

Originally posted by AJSpeedAM100MPH
Is that the first time you changed the gaskets on your car? Yes, First change at over 120,000 miles, so I guess I'm lucky. I'm hoping that I won't have to do it again, although it'd be easier now that I know what I'm doing. :)