What are the causes of oil emulsification?
2 Answers
The causes of oil emulsification: 1. Damage to the cylinder liner or aging of the cylinder liner sealing ring, leading to water entering the oil. This is likely due to cracks in the cylinder liner, allowing coolant to seep directly into the engine oil pan through the cylinder wall; 2. Leakage from the engine water plug, which can cause coolant to mix directly into the oil pan, making regular inspection of the water plug crucial; 3. Damage to the radiator can also result in water entering the oil, so it's important to check this component; 4. Damage to the cylinder head gasket. Since the fuel in the cylinder is under high pressure for a long time, the cylinder liner may become damaged, causing the oil and coolant passages to interconnect, leading to water mixing into the oil.
As an average car owner, the last time I popped the hood to check the oil, I suddenly noticed a milky, cream-like substance on the dipstick and panicked. After researching, I learned this commonly happens from too many short trips where the engine doesn’t fully warm up before shutting off, causing moisture to condense and mix into the oil, leading to emulsification. It could also indicate a cooling system leak, like a blown head gasket allowing coolant to seep into the oil. My car is older, and I’d encountered this before when frequently making quick grocery runs—later, I switched to weekly long drives to let temperatures rise and evaporate the moisture. Severe emulsification can compromise lubrication, accelerate engine wear, and even corrode components, so immediate oil changes and inspections are crucial upon discovery. My mechanic emphasized avoiding frequent short-trip engine shutdowns as the key, especially in humid or cold weather, so I’ve adopted a habit of warming up the engine for a few minutes.
