WTH is this gunk in the bottom of my catch can after 8000 miles? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

roSSco · 11-29-2013, 03:22 PM

This is the first time that I have emptied the catch can in 8000 miles and it looks like there is water mixed in with the oil. Is this normal?

This remained in the bottom of the can after pouring out the old oil. The oil that I poured out looked fine, just old and brown.

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JDP Sales · 11-29-2013, 03:33 PM

In the colder months it's not uncommon to find condensation in the can. What you are seeing is perfectly normal.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

hognutz · 11-29-2013, 09:25 PM

that is water. thank god it is in your catch can and not your pan ha ha.

DrkPhx · 11-30-2013, 08:17 AM

It's not water; it's condensation that typically burns away when the engine is running at operating temperature after 30 or so minutes. As mentioned above; it's more common in the winter months. Do you do a lot of short trips with start and stop driving?

BAD ZL1 · 11-30-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

It's not water; it's condensation that typically burns away when the engine is running at operating temperature after 30 or so minutes. As mentioned above; it's more common in the winter months. Do you do a lot of short trips with start and stop driving?

Condensation can also be defined as the change in the state of water vapor to water/any liquid when in contact with any surface. Technically, it IS water.

HeadonaStick · 11-30-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

It's not water; it's condensation that typically burns away when the engine is running at operating temperature after 30 or so minutes. As mentioned above; it's more common in the winter months. Do you do a lot of short trips with start and stop driving?

Condensation is water. If I understand correctly that is condensation in the catch can, and not something that would normally be in the engine.

DrkPhx · 11-30-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAD ZL1

Condensation can also be defined as the change in the state of water vapor to water/any liquid when in contact with any surface. Technically, it IS water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadonaStick

Condensation is water. If I understand correctly that is condensation in the catch can, and not something that would normally be in the engine.

Technically you're correct. But it didn't start as standing water sitting in the oil pan; it's a by-product of the combustion process.

Apex Motorsports · 11-30-2013, 10:31 AM

Like has been said, it is normal. Might want to disassemble the can (if you can) and give it a good wipe down.

gen=5 · 11-30-2013, 04:41 PM

ITS WATER ! plain and simple and when the engine does not get hot enough to burn it off,250 degrees oil temp the vapor goes through the crank case and ends up on the cooler parts of the motor. the vapor cools and ends up as water... all of you guys are correct,have a great day..its normal

BAD ZL1 · 12-01-2013, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

Technically you're correct. But it didn't start as standing water sitting in the oil pan; it's a by-product of the combustion process.

I didn't say it started as standing water sitting in the oil pan. Its a product of heating/cooling causing condensation. Its a byproduct of heat/cooling, has nothing to do with the combustion process except the combustion process causes the hot to cold temperature variation.

mmarx82 · 12-01-2013, 07:12 AM

No use arguing about it. The main thing is its not in your engine.

roSSco · 12-02-2013, 01:06 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I cleaned it out and am ready to roll.

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11-29-2013, 03:22 PM	#1
roSSco ∞ Smiles per mile Drives: 2013 ZL1 Summit White A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arlington, TN Posts: 101 View My Garage	WTH is this gunk in the bottom of my catch can after 8000 miles? This is the first time that I have emptied the catch can in 8000 miles and it looks like there is water mixed in with the oil. Is this normal? This remained in the bottom of the can after pouring out the old oil. The oil that I poured out looked fine, just old and brown. Sent from my sofa via Tapatalk Attached Images __________________ 2013 ZL1 #4739 'Heisenberg' Color - Walter White Roto-Fab CAI On Reddit? Check out /r/ZL1/

11-29-2013, 09:25 PM	#3
hognutz Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: tangent or Posts: 2,984	that is water. thank god it is in your catch can and not your pan ha ha. __________________ shopping for 2017+1le or zl1 2009 CTS-V -sold 2015 Hellcat-sold 2013 ZL1 -sold 2007 Z06- sold 2014 Chrysler 300 2011 Duramax 8" lift, deleted tuned

11-30-2013, 04:41 PM	#9
gen=5 Drives: 13 ZL1 vert blac fastlane/LPE 750 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: houston Posts: 1,312 View My Garage	ITS WATER ! plain and simple and when the engine does not get hot enough to burn it off,250 degrees oil temp the vapor goes through the crank case and ends up on the cooler parts of the motor. the vapor cools and ends up as water... all of you guys are correct,have a great day..its normal Attached Images __________________ http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346589 CHECK OUT THE BUILDING OF MY RANCH FOR DISABLED VETS, COMPLETE WITH A GUN RANGE .

12-01-2013, 07:12 AM	#11
mmarx82 Drives: '12 ZL1 #1609 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,762	No use arguing about it. The main thing is its not in your engine. __________________ Life is too short to drive cars that suck. My build Thread

12-02-2013, 01:06 PM	#12
roSSco ∞ Smiles per mile Drives: 2013 ZL1 Summit White A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arlington, TN Posts: 101 View My Garage	Thanks for all the replies. I cleaned it out and am ready to roll. Sent from my sofa via Tapatalk __________________ 2013 ZL1 #4739 'Heisenberg' Color - Walter White Roto-Fab CAI On Reddit? Check out /r/ZL1/

11-29-2013, 03:33 PM	#2
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	In the colder months it's not uncommon to find condensation in the can. What you are seeing is perfectly normal. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

11-30-2013, 08:17 AM	#4
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	It's not water; it's condensation that typically burns away when the engine is running at operating temperature after 30 or so minutes. As mentioned above; it's more common in the winter months. Do you do a lot of short trips with start and stop driving?

11-30-2013, 10:31 AM	#8
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	Like has been said, it is normal. Might want to disassemble the can (if you can) and give it a good wipe down.