What does car oil look like with water in it?

Bubbles on the stick, a brownish residue just above the oil level, or milky-brown oil with a thick consistency are all indications of water in the oil.

How to tell if you have water in your engine oil?

You may find a brownish residue just above the oil level or you could see milky oil with a thick consistency (picture a Frosty from Wendy’s). These are all indicators of water in your engine’s oil. If you suspect you have water in your oil, you can take your personal diagnosis process a step further.

How does water get into the oil in a car?

Water can get into the oil two ways. You generally don’t have to worry about one of the ways if you drive your car enough to burn off the water during normal driving. This drives off the moisture that simply comes from your engine breathing when it is not being used (cold air enters a hot engine and water condenses) and from combustion byproducts.

What does it mean when your engine oil is milky?

If there is a milky color that comes out of your engine oil, you probably have water or coolant in your engine’s oil and it is time to do something about it. Now you know a few ways to determine if you have water in your engine oil.

What should I look for when I change the oil in my car?

Dirty engine oil is black or brown. If yours is dark, have a look at your car’s records to see when the oil was last changed. Darker engine oil can still run a car just fine, so go by the schedule more than by the color. You should also change engine oil according to both mileage and time.

Why does my car have water in it?

by Nathan Fisher. Not all indications of water in the oil mean a repair is warranted. As the engine heats up after it is started, and then cools off after the car is turned off, condensation can cause small amounts of water to enter the oil.