Engine oil had very red tint after 1k miles.. head gasket issue?

I've been paranoid that my head gasket is blown at 180k miles. I just changed my oil after 1k miles and it was very red. No, I didn't put tranny fluid in it, I used Pennzoil full synthetic that was amber. Usually, I've noticed oil turn black or brown quickly, not red.

Do I have a head gasket leak?
Facts:

• Recently put the engine under a heavy load towing 4800lbs up and down hills. I went as easy on it as I could
  
• No noticeable issues while driving currently
  
• The coolant is red - Toyota's super long life coolant
  
• Pennzoil full synthetic (amber color
  
• No milk or froth noticeable on dipstick
• Oil cap has had a very slow and mild milky buildup since I bought it 50k miles ago
• White steam or smoke is coming from the exhaust when the engine is cold and warm. I cannot spot it in my rear view mirror when driving, even when revving the engine, but at a stop it does come out. Mind you it is winter here and is sub 40 degrees and I have the heater going
  
• Steam or smoke does not appear to smell sweet
• Oil does not smell sweet.
• I just smelled the coolant that I used and it does not smell sweet to me. It has a very subtle smell.

• I just changed the oil so I'll update what the oil level is looking like.
• Coolant level might be dropping slowly, but it is hard to tell. I'll update when I know more

Is anyone familiar with oil turning red? I've seen red oil and I've seen some oil progression pictures that show red tint, but I cannot find enough info about what that oil type is. Also, how common is it for steam to come out of the exhaust on a cold day even when the engine is warm?

Thanks

 

Normal sleep well.

 

Have your oil tested by Blackstone. It'll tell you a lot.

 

Everything you described above sounds normal to me.
With exception of the possible coolant loss. But I bet it’s not losing any, and it’s in your head.

I think the fact that you seen steam, milky substance under the oil cap, and towing a boat have you a bit paranoid.

I think your truck is just fine
I don’t think you should worry about any of it.

Cold winter weather causes most of what you described above.

 

get a block test kit or get your mechanic to check . it will definitely will reveal if there are any combustion issues with antifreeze

 

You change the oil every 1K? Red oil can also indicate the presence of additives. Best way to find out is to submit an oil sample for analysis.

 

yeah i feel like the oil turning red from coolant would have to be alot of coolant....but it will turn milky long before i could ever just change color....

 

I appreciate the responses. This definitely has me feeling better about it. I actually did do an exhaust gas test in my coolant system and the results were negative. When I checked the oil level, I also checked how long it took for warm oil to drip from the dipstick and it was fairly consistent at about 12 seconds. I don't think it was thinned out.

Almost never. 5k no matter what the sales team says. I'll probably get a sample done to put it to rest.

 

Great suggestion ! I've used this test to alleviate any concerns about head gasket issues...Simple to use and effective...

 

If your truck is a 2005-06, your head gasket is blown, buy a new truck.

Seriously, if you see white smoke coming out your exhaust at 70°F, then you may have a problem. If you can see your breath, you'll see something from your truck. The oil cap residue is probably condensation, hot engine+cold ambient temp. Keep an eye on it.

 

Oil analysis...stop guessing, and do that. That will tell you everything as others have said. If you have never done one, can only help for you to have a base line for future (if any ever come up) issues

 

If you are dead set on knowing whether or not your head is blown, your local auto parts stores should have a leak test kit that you can rent. Or, just pop the cap on your radiator ON A COLD ENGINE and observe the fluid for bubbling when you turn the vehicle on. If you're seeing a steady stream of small bubbles like a carbonated drink, then you might have a head leak (or a vacuum leak). But like what other's have mentioned, everything you are mentioning is normal operation. There's also test strips that you can dip into the coolant in your radiator to check for other substances but I'm leery about that test.

-J

 

Just something to keep in mind. I am in the process of replacing my head gaskets on a 08. The truck ran fine with no codes. The only symptom that I had was slight coolant loss. I used a block tester / combustion leak tester and the test was negative. I tried it several times.

Maybe the block test is only effective when the head gasket leak is more severe.

 

FWIW My 3.4 always had a reddish tint after a couple of thousand miles. I've noticed too that my 4.0 does as well. I've used both Mobil 1 5/30 and more recently, Penzoil 5/30; both synthetic. When I do the oil change and watch it drain, it got a red-amber hue to it. I have no loss in coolant and have quit worrying about the color of the oil.

 

Just put a little AC dye in your oil. After a few days driving, hit it with a UV light.

 

You could send it off to blackstone for analysis. There's an old mechanic's trick as well, when you take the oil cap off and sniff it/touch your tongue to it. If it tastes minty then you have a head gasket leak.

Alternatively you can taste/smell the dipstick, it should have more of a coffee type smell.

 

My truck had a steady diet of Mobil 1 0W30 since new. Every drain is dark red.

One of the combustion byproducts is water. On a normal day that water is vaporized. On a cold day it will be steam.

 

You first! lol

I imagine the test is dependent on how severe the leak is and where it is leaking.

I forgot to mention that I recently ran seafoam in the oil for about 20 miles to clean the engine out before a change, so maybe that loosened something up that was keeping it sealed. I kind of doubt it. I ordered a blackstone test kit and will be sending that in in a couple weeks.

 

Second sending in a sample to blackstone. Thats how I found out my head gasket was starting to fail

 

One more thing to add. Even though my engine block test was negative, I had a feeling that I had a head gasket issue as I could not find a single drop anywhere on the motor. I was able to confirm the leak by pressurizing the cooling system and checking each of the cylinders for signs of coolant with an inspection camera. I started with cylinder #6. After about a minute or so, I saw a tiny drop of coolant trickle down the head gasket area onto the piston. This was also the case with cylinder #4 as well.