Cafe au lait oil?

[dseretakis]

Hi all,

I noticed today that my oil has a little bit of oil/water/coolant emulsion on the dipstick and underside of radiator cap. I was prompted to check the oil because I noticed an approximately one foot square puddle of coolant on the ground emanating from the coolant overflow hose. The car idles well and doesn’t not blow out white smoke from the tail pipe, nor does it overheat. A little bit of background, the car has been sitting without being started for 3.5 years in an unheated garage. I started it for the first time since 3.5 years a few weeks ago to move it and then again today. I did not drive it, just had it idle. The oil is 4.5 years old and the coolant was replaced in 2012 with zerex GO-5. I’m wondering if this can be due to moisture condensation in the crankcase? Obviously, I’m  worried about a head gasket issue or corroded head as well. Since the car has a coolant overflow tank rather than a radiator neck, I’m not sure how to check for a coolant surge or bubbles in the coolant.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[mBdrvr]

Sounds like coolant in the oil and vice versa. There's a kit available that sniffs the coolant bottle for signs of oil to confirm it.

At this point I'd change the oil and coolant and drive the car. Idling doesn't really do it. If there is a head gasket issue the damage is done.

[stickandrudderman]

If there is a head gasket issue the damage is done.

Driving a car with a failed head gasket can lead to much more serious damage as a consequence. Exercise caution.
A little bit of condensate inside the oil filler cap is not too much to worry about and is indicative of an engine that doesn't get run for long enough to allow oil temp to rise sufficiently high to cause any moisture in the crankcase, always present due to atmospheric vapour, to evaporate.
Clean off any condensate and run the engine long enough to allow normal oil temp for 20 minutes or so.
If the condensate re-appears then chances are your head gasket has failed.

[dseretakis]

Ok so I learned that having a coolant overflow tank doesn’t change anything with respect to checking for bubbles or coolant surge so I gave it a try and couldn’t see surge or bubbles. I guess that’s good news. Next step is change the oil, drive the car around and see what happens.