Oil life question

[Doubeleive]

Interesting.

Would you say I could rule out the coolant thing than if I I’m not experiencing loss of coolant or overheating? Or could it still be a concern with the oil life and oil itself etc. I will check that cap asap

I wouldn't even worry at all unless you know you are loosing coolant and are unable to find a leak anywhere. head cracks are less likely on this generation anyway, there were some bad heads on the gmt800's that were prone to developing leaks and that was only a specific model which I do not know by memory.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I wouldn't even worry at all unless you know you are loosing coolant and are unable to find a leak anywhere. head cracks are less likely on this generation anyway, there were some bad heads on the gmt800's that were prone to developing leaks and that was only a specific model which I do not know by memory.

Everything is adding up to my oil life now. It is making sense. The stop and go traffic, the cold short trips etc. cold weather below freezing. I’m sure it all plays a huge role in engine life so now it is making sense

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Just thought this was cool. I asked AI how detrimental letting the engine warm up to operating temps before shutting it off and it said:

“Not letting your car reach operating temperature before shutting it off isn't ideal, especially if it's a regular habit. It can lead to what's called "cold short trips" which can cause condensation to build up in the oil and exhaust system. Over time, this can dilute the oil, reducing its effectiveness and potentially causing corrosion in the engine. It's best to let the engine run until it reaches operating temp when you can, to keep everything in top shape.”

I really hope there isn’t to much condensation. So again am I looking for white goo? Or actual water droplets under the cap. White goo I’m guessing if it mixes with oil

 

[15burban]

White goo, yellowish goo, any type of goo. You'll know once you see it. Although my pontiac work beater with 260k miles always has a little yellowish goo under the cap during the colder months. My average drive too work is over an hour so it definitely is warmed up and it doesn't leak or lose any coolant. Unless there's a lot of it under there I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Marky Dissod]

You may want to think of ways to give your engine more of a chance to warm up:
Start your engine, go back inside for a min to pee, kiss her, double-check the stove is really off, etc
If you've 6 or 7 short errands, go all the way to the one that gives your engine a chance to warm up as much as possible first.
That way, even if you shut the engine off, at least it's warmER

IN WINTER ONLY, if you can't think of any other ways to make your trips longer,
use a piece of cardboard to block off 20% -33% of the bottom of the radiator.

 

[Doubeleive]

Even though it's generally not freezing to bad here I usually auto start mine and let it warm up for 10 minutes before I take the kids to school in the morning I just make it a habit to start it at 7:45 and let it run

 

[Marky Dissod]

Even though it's generally not freezing too bad here I usually auto start mine and let it warm up for 10 minutes.
Before I take the kids to school in the morning I just make it a habit to start it at 7:45am and let it run.

Was gonna click 'like' on this, except I'd make it 5min instead of 10min, just in case any part of the cooling system happens to fail in that time frame.

 

[Doubeleive]

Was gonna click 'like' on this, except I'd make it 5min instead of 10min, just in case any part of the cooling system happens to fail in that time frame.

I keep mine pretty well maintained not worried about auto starting it at all especially if I can trust it to go 140

 

[Marky Dissod]

I keep mine pretty well maintained not worried about auto starting it at all especially if I can trust it to go 140MpH.

I've no doubt you maintain it well.
My only concern - my underlying fear in life, actually - is that, even if one does everything they're supposed to as they're supposed to, there is always a nonzero chance that the next dice roll will come up snake eyes.

That, plus the fact that I've watched several aluminum block engines with no H2Opump, start from below freezing and reach 221F in 5min or less.

 

[Doubeleive]

I've no doubt you maintain it well.
My only concern - my underlying fear in life, actually - is that, even if one does everything they're supposed to as they're supposed to, there is always a nonzero chance that the next dice roll will come up snake eyes.

That, plus the fact that I've watched several aluminum block engines with no H2Opump, start from below freezing and reach 221F in 5min or less.

If that happens I'll dump it in the Delta and file a insurance claim like every one else around here does lol, they recently pulled 12 cars out of the water at the end of the road by me and that's only 1 spot there are miles and miles of places around here and the Delta mendota goes all the way to so. Cal.
I don't know if I would really do that but it wouldn't be hard I've had it for 7 years now long paid for and it's not worth a lot, would probably just buy something newer. Until then it's reliable and runs good