94 Grand Am-Strong gas smell in oil

[Vexed12]

I recently had my oil changed and a few days later went to check it and noticed that there was a white gummy substance on the dipstick. I also noticed a strong gasoline smell on the dipstick. Also the car seems to be consuming more gas than usual.When accelerating forwards or in reverse you can here a "bubbling" sound from the engine. Could someone please help me in the right direction as to what could be causing this?

[Hoags]

How has the coolant level been? And are you loosing any oil? What engine and miles?

[Hoags]

Hey Vexed, I forgot... Welcome to the Forum.

I pulled your profile, I see you in my neck of the woods. I'm over in Beaver County.

Any way, I'm thinking you may have a Head gasket problem, but I'm not sure-need a little more details. the questions in my previous post will help.

Thanks
Dan

[Knifeblade]

I with Hoags on this, with the little info. you provided. It certainly sounds like a head gasket leak, or possible going-west piston rings allowing gas to head into oil pan prior to combustion. Either way, something is SERIOUSLY wrong!!!!!!!!!!

For your safety, and the health of the engine, get it diagnosed ASAP by a mechanic. Actually, get two or three look-at-it's, some mech's will differ on their diagnosis.

[Vexed12]

Originally Posted by Hoags

How has the coolant level been? And are you loosing any oil? What engine and miles?

Thanks for the welcome , The coolant level is good, I have 4 cyl. 2.3 liter SOHC. It has 107,000 miles on it. I have just had the water pump replaced two months ago, but i did not have this problem before changing the water pump and the oil. I have absolutely no performance problems at all, still accelerates normal, runs very quiet and smooth. The only things i notice are the service engine soon light is on and the white gummy substance on the dipstick, and the smell of gas on the dipstick.

[Hoags]

Have you been using an oil additive or the high milage oils?

I had a similar white gunk in my 98 Montana but unfortunatly I was never able to get to the root problem of the white stuff in the valve cover. I had some people tell me that it was realted to oil addivives and/or the additional parifin in the oils for the high milage cars, I don't know.

Hey Knife, what do you think about the oil issue?

I'm still thinking head gasket like you state the gas mixing with oil.
(closing the gap...LOL)
Hang in there Vexed, We'll come up with some definite suggestions for you to look into.

[Knifeblade]

well, it is slighty possible, Dan and Vexed, that some of the "white substance" is engine sludge. If the engine hasn't been properly oil-changed for say around 30K miles, that white substance indicates sludge. I do suggest, in any case, that ya flush the engine. If ya have to do it on the cheap, go to store, get can of engine-flush, it add-to-oil solution, JUST JUST JUST before you pull the drain plug and filter to change oil.

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT drive the ride with the solution in the oil, and follow label directions precisely, do NOT vary from the directions!!!!

Hint, if the solution,[ btw, it likely a Snap or Gumout product] says okay to drive, don't!!!
Let the engine get to full operating temp. before you add the solution, then when U add the solution, just leave it sitting idleling before ya change the oil. And, you MUST change the oil right after the solution does it's thing, as label-stated directions.

[Knifeblade]

And, if it is a gas-leak into the oil, the sludge will break up and begin circulation through the engine as part of oil, NOT GOOD.

[Knifeblade]

OT to Dan, K it my 380 to your 283, as I understand each star gets added after 100 posts. So~~~~~~~~~ I about 25% ahead of ya, or roughly a 1/4 mile, LOL.

Regards,

Tam

[Vexed12]

Originally Posted by Hoags

Have you been using an oil additive or the high milage oils?

I had a similar white gunk in my 98 Montana but unfortunatly I was never able to get to the root problem of the white stuff in the valve cover. I had some people tell me that it was realted to oil addivives and/or the additional parifin in the oils for the high milage cars, I don't know.

Hey Knife, what do you think about the oil issue?

I'm still thinking head gasket like you state the gas mixing with oil.
(closing the gap...LOL)
Hang in there Vexed, We'll come up with some definite suggestions for you to look into.

Thanks again, I did use a High Mileage oil with additives when i had the oil changed, and that is when i noticed the white gunk, Let ma ask this then, what other symptons would i look for if it was a head gasket?

[Hoags]

You should watch for coolant loss, excessive white smoke from the exhaust, Foam in the oil, oil loss. these are a few things to look for. Some of the other members may have some more input for you.

I hope this helps.

[Knifeblade]

U may also hear the engine give a hissing sound near the head leak, if it on the outside near exhaust maniffold. And some possible oil or coolant leaking out from there onto the manifold.

[Hoags]

I believe that you could have the coolant system pressure tested. When the system is pressurized if it looses pressure and there is no external leak then it could be loosing pressure via the head gasket.

[Knifeblade]

yes, vehicles can be coolant-system pressurized, but have a shop do it, it not a back-yarder job, trust me.