Is engine oil emulsification related to driving distance?
2 Answers
Engine oil emulsification is related to driving distance. Long-distance medium-to-high-speed driving can alleviate or eliminate the phenomena of oil dilution and emulsification. When the engine temperature rises, it promotes the evaporation of moisture in the oil, causing the emulsification to disappear. Engine oil emulsification can generally be divided into two categories: oil filler cap emulsification and oil pan emulsification. Here is the relevant information: 1. The cause of the former is more common. Frequent short-distance driving in winter can prevent the engine from operating at normal working temperatures for extended periods, leading to ineffective dispersion of moisture, which then condenses on areas like the oil filler cap and mixes with oil droplets attached to these areas, forming emulsions. 2. The latter occurs when a large amount of water mixes into the engine oil. This can be caused by various factors, such as water entering the oil due to poor sealing in the engine heat exchanger, water entering the oil during combustion, and the failure of the oil separator and PCV valve causing water to flow back, among others.
Engine oil emulsification is indeed closely related to the distance driven. I've seen many such cases. Especially for engines that are frequently driven only a few kilometers before stopping, emulsification issues are most likely to occur. This is because during short trips, the engine doesn't have enough time to fully warm up, and the water vapor produced by combustion can't be expelled from the oil, mixing with it to form a white, creamy substance. In contrast, cars that frequently travel long distances have higher engine temperatures, allowing the moisture to evaporate, making this issue rare. My neighbor, for example, drives only three kilometers each time to take his kids to and from school, and his car often has this problem. Therefore, it's recommended for owners who frequently drive short distances to occasionally take their cars on the highway to thoroughly heat up the engine.
