Discussion:
milky oil

I have a 1995 cat 35 forklift with mitsibushi lp engine. I only put on about 25 hrs a year and my oil is always milky because it doesnt get warmed up sometimes when I use it. It is inside shop all the time and has only 1100 hrs. Is there a certain oil that would help this condensation problem? It runs fine and doesnt use oil but I sure would like to see clean oil
  • Posted 20 Nov 2009 05:58
  • By handwrench
  • joined 20 Nov'09 - 1 message
  • Iowa, United States
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7 results.
Gentlemen i also found while out on a call for a plugged pcv system due to moisture...i cleaned the pcv hoses and valve with brake clean and allowed to air dry also blowing out the top of the engine (under the Valve cover) before draining the engine oil on a pm service the moisture failed come back once cleaned process took about an hour and no issues since going to a 6 month pm cycle and insisting that the operator run unit for at least 20 minutes at a time....from a tech in michigan.......
  • Posted 5 Dec 2009 22:20
  • By michael_b
  • joined 5 Dec'09 - 15 messages
  • Michigan, United States
fix it right no hacks!
I would have to agree with mike_n, the man from up north, especially when it comes to block heaters..
  • Posted 25 Nov 2009 12:03
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"
Put in a block heater, and keep it plugged in.
If the engine is warmer that the air, there can be no condensation formed.

This is what is done with stationary engines, like gensets. It works...
  • Posted 25 Nov 2009 07:54
  • By mike_n
  • joined 11 Feb'06 - 138 messages
  • Alberta, Canada
You may want to check the PCV valve/hoses to make sure they are ok.
  • Posted 24 Nov 2009 04:57
  • By mrfixit
  • joined 11 Dec'08 - 1,434 messages
  • New York, United States
I agree with Ed and John. Komatsu even published a Technical Bulletin on this subject
  • Posted 24 Nov 2009 04:35
  • By Jeff
  • joined 8 Feb'07 - 60 messages
  • Georgia, United States
the milky oil look is a result of condensation from humid air entering the engines crankcase. Ed T is correct is teh ngien needs to operate a normal temperature fro a period of tiem for teh consation will evaporate. If you don't, sludge and acids will develop in the engine and errode bearings etc
  • Posted 20 Nov 2009 22:46
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
"Have An Exceptional Day!"
the milky oil is a result of your not running the machine long enough when you do run it. run it a half hour each month, or an hour every other month even if you are just running up and down the block. your oil will -look- fine.
you should be aware there is a buildup in the oil of corrosive materials that do not get "burned" out, so changing the oil every so often (?6 months?) is still a very good idea, even if it "looks" clean.
I am told the high dollar synthetic oils resist getting milky better than the low cost generic oils, but I could not swear to that at all.
  • Posted 20 Nov 2009 08:48
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"

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