Blown head gasket false alarm

[dehaikin]

I took my 2022 Maverick XLT hybrid to one of those oil change places for a scheduled oil change. The people there showed me a beige creamy deposit on the inside of the oil filler cap and told me I probably had a blown head gasket. I've had this vehicle just over two years and driven it less than 12,000 miles. I certainly haven't been racing it. I called my local dealer and had to wait almost a week before they could schedule me for what might be a major repair. It wasn't. According to the service rep the deposit was a result of "the engine not getting fully up to temperature due to the electric part of the powertrain kicking in." He added that it was "100% normal per Ford Motor Company." Passing this along FYI.

Sponsored

 

[paneubert]

Yep. We could have told you and saved you some stress. Search this forum for the word "pudding".

 

[Montana]

An oil change place not knowing ? Never happen....

 

[inline_five]

Moral of the story - drive it on a longer drive every now and then to really heat it up and burn the water out of the oil.

Also, a higher than normal oil change schedule may be needed. Water in oil doesn't mix well when it comes to lubrication properties.

 

[OleFordGuy]

IMO, just another prime example of the need to steer clear of the quickie oil change joints. Most probably use the cheapest oil and filters they can source on the market. Find you a good local shop/mechanic that you can trust to do the routine maintenance if that's something you don't have experience in.

 

[jewc75]

Cars have been doing this since they were invented. This is why short trip cars need oil changes more frequently. The engine never has a chance to burn off the condensation.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...short trip cars need oil changes more frequently...

This
And trip length is one of several factors taken into account by the Oil Life Monitor, when it calculates when it's time to change your oil.

 

[Deleted member 29611]

I’m glad I read the initial “pudding” post before i picked up my used hybrid. It was one of the first things i checked. It was pudding but now that I’m doing my 80 mile commute mostly highway the oil gets hot enough to keep moisture out of the oil and PCV. The cap is normal now.

 

[Oscarcat]

I took my 2022 Maverick XLT hybrid to one of those oil change places for a scheduled oil change. The people there showed me a beige creamy deposit on the inside of the oil filler cap and told me I probably had a blown head gasket. I've had this vehicle just over two years and driven it less than 12,000 miles. I certainly haven't been racing it. I called my local dealer and had to wait almost a week before they could schedule me for what might be a major repair. It wasn't. According to the service rep the deposit was a result of "the engine not getting fully up to temperature due to the electric part of the powertrain kicking in." He added that it was "100% normal per Ford Motor Company." Passing this along FYI.

Yes, part of the learning curve for hybrid owners is that the ICE Atkinson cycle engine doesn't get up to temp in many driving situations. That is why the use of hybrid specific engine oil is recommended. That oil has extra additives that control the acids that form due to moisure that doesn't burn off in cool running engines. I doubt that your quickie lube people use hybrid specific oil or even 0w-20 weight or quality filters. Obviously I have contempt for those places.

 

[dehaikin]

Yes, part of the learning curve for hybrid owners is that the ICE Atkinson cycle engine doesn't get up to temp in many driving situations. That is why the use of hybrid specific engine oil is recommended. That oil has extra additives that control the acids that form due to moisure that doesn't burn off in cool running engines. I doubt that your quickie lube people use hybrid specific oil or even 0w-20 weight or quality filters. Obviously I have contempt for those places.

Good information from you and all the others. Thanks. I'm sure you're right about the oil. I'm planning to check with the dealer for updates about remedies for the recalls, and I'll mention that. It might be cheaper to have them change the oil again (assuming they have hybrid specific oil) rather than continuing to drive with the wrong type.

 

[Peter Lukasch]

Moral of the story - drive it on a longer drive every now and then to really heat it up and burn the water out of the oil.

Also, a higher than normal oil change schedule may be needed. Water in oil doesn't mix well when it comes to lubrication properties.

Short trips are very hard on engines. Something like 85% of engine wear takes place in the first minute or 2 after a cold start, not to mention the accumulation of condensate in the crankcase that can't completely burn off.

 

[Oscarcat]

Good information from you and all the others. Thanks. I'm sure you're right about the oil. I'm planning to check with the dealer for updates about remedies for the recalls, and I'll mention that. It might be cheaper to have them change the oil again (assuming they have hybrid specific oil) rather than continuing to drive with the wrong type.

RE Change again at dealer = Ask specifically if they offer hybrid-specific 0w-20 oil. My dealer offers an oil change where the small print says syn blend oil and larger print for more $$ says full synthetic. They looked at me funny when I asked if it was hybrid synthetic specific.

Most dealers use bulk oil from drums they pump into an engine. You might ask to see the drum labelled hybrid specific. Then hope the tech uses it in your engine.

Which is probably why those of us who can, do our own changes. Not everyone is able and I recognize that.

Sponsored