Plugged PCV in 08 5.4

[GaryH2]

My S-I-L (sister in law) has an 08 Expy "shorty" (non-EL) and seems to have an issue with the PCV clogging up. Recently she got the oil changed at a ****** Lube place and they told her its got anti-freeze in the oil (never a good thing). Upon further investigation, it seems that its condensation from a clogged PCV system.

The plan is to open up the heads, clean things up and do a borescope inspection of some of the galleries and valvetrain. They aren't sure what else may be damaged.

So I suggested going ahead with cleaning up the top-end and running the truck a bit longer, swapping out the oil early to get anything flushed out that may be in there. I'm thinking this, along with more regular oil changes might get it back on track if there's no significant damage already.

Any other suggestions that I could pass along? They don't have the $ at this time for a rebuild and I'm thinking this work could keep it running a bit longer until their situation stabilizes.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Did she have a check engine light? It would be interesting to know if PCV codes came up. I guess if it was clogged, the crank case would not have a way for it to relieve pressure (thereby blowing a head gasket, etc.), but I would think at that point it would just kick out the valve. It just loosely presses into the valve cover by design, at least on my 97.

Did they just find white film on the bottom of the oil cap? If so that is normal, its small amounts of condensation in the motor rising to the highest point. If they found it actually in the oil they drained out, that is different. Make sure this is clear before going with a big repair. Those places can be kind of shady sometimes.

 

[tonydiv]

Rule 1: Never take diagnostic advice from a quick lube place. They perform the most basic of maintenance tasks, and they still manage to get that wrong 20% of the time.

If you're concerned, go to a real mechanic and see what they have to say about the issue. It the antifreeze level low? Does it run rough? Does it seem to overheat?

My guess it that it's nothing out of the ordinary (especially if she makes a ton of short trips)

 

[GaryH2]

She did take it to a mechanic to follow up on the quick lube place (NOT Ford Quick Lane BTW). The mechanic is the one that recommended the repairs, the lube place said to get it checked out b/c there was "anti-freeze in the oil."

I don't think that she was all that good about keeping up with oil changes so I tend to think that was a contributing factor.

I'm just quite surprised by this as it has about 55k on it (my EL has 140k). I guess if you don't change your oil this kind of thing can happen.

 

[FordandPolaris]

She did take it to a mechanic to follow up on the quick lube place (NOT Ford Quick Lane BTW). The mechanic is the one that recommended the repairs, the lube place said to get it checked out b/c there was "anti-freeze in the oil."

I don't think that she was all that good about keeping up with oil changes so I tend to think that was a contributing factor.

I'm just quite surprised by this as it has about 55k on it (my EL has 140k). I guess if you don't change your oil this kind of thing can happen.

Still it should not be worn out at 55k. Unless she has only changed the oil once or twice since she bought it, it should be in good shape. As tony said, if she makes many short trips, the condensation never evaporates from the crankcase and causes white film.

Personally, I would have her drive it for a week and change the oil again yourself. See what the oil looks like. If something is damaged, another week driving is not going to make it much worse. I agree with Tony that it is more than likely nothing. Also top off the coolant per the line on the container and see if that changes over the week period as well.

My truck has seen 10k miles between oil changes more than once (my dad's maintenance schedule is flawed as well) and I have never had a problem other than the white film on the cap I mentioned earlier in the cold months. Of course for the last couple of years I have changed the oil regularly. Still I started driving the truck around 160k.

 

[stamp11127]

If your oil is milk chocolate in color on the dipstick then you have a coolant and oil mixture. Usually when that happens it will take the bearings out in short order.
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