milky oil

[Steve]

The oil coming out of my breather tube appears light tan, kind of like coffee with cream. My mechanic says that it is just moisture and is not particularly worried about it. It looks pretty strange, but the engine runs great...is this yet another chapter in the ills of my new toy?

Steve

[CraigH]

Steve,
May or may not be relevant in your situation, but I had a similar scenario with my C140. Unknown to me, the breather tube (aluminum) had broken up towards the top. A substantial amount of condensation started forming at the break, mixing with the expelled oil and pouring out at shutdown. Really had me concerned with the amount of milky oil that was dripping out the tube until I opend the cowl and saw the break in the tube. After the breather tube was replaced, no more milky oil.

[lktiller]

No 50mm slug thru the water jacket to worry about so it has to be condensation.

As the engine cools it draws in moisture laden air. It condenses on everything. tubing, case, crankshaft.

Just like dewdrops on the morning spiderwebs. Sparkling moisture on the buttercups. Ice on the windshield.

Make sure the oil comes up to recommended temperature every time you run it. And stays there long enough to boil off the moisture.

[David Price]

Can find no other reason for this myself. What Larry, is saying, is, in perfect harmony.

The breather tube on N96045 has been vented about 8" up from the end, by cutting a small opening with a hack saw. A&P & IA both say that this is incase of icing at the vent hose end.
This only helps the flo of condensation while cooling, as I see it.

Learning to enjoy "Buttercup Puddles"