See full version: Diagnosing a Cloudy Oil
Other Insolubles. A hazy or milky appearance can result from mixed incompatible oils, glycol contamination, grease suspensions and a host of other impurities. Many of these contaminants will affect both the color and clarity of the oil. here
Dead Additives. The normal decomposition of certain additives during service can lead to white, flocky appearance of the oil. more
There are many ways an oil can lose its shine. We've already mentioned soot, air and water (liquid and vapor) as common causes of cloudiness. The following list includes a few more: more
As mentioned, a cloudy oil is due to the presence of insoluble impurities that diffuse or block the transmission of light. In contrast, color change relates to the absorption of specific optical frequencies by pigments within the oil. These pigments or color bodies could be natural to the oil's formulation, caused by contaminants, or due to the formation of degradation products. here
If the cause of the haze is a solid or semisolid suspension, then it might be removed for inspection by patch testing. Once on the patch or membrane, the sediment can be analyzed microscopically or by infrared or XRF spectroscopy. [links]
Undissolved Additives. For various reasons, a properly formulated oil may lose additive solubility. This is referred to as additive drop out. Cold temperature can cause this in certain oils. The result is a slight cloudiness and even some precipitation (settling of the additive insolubles). more
If the cause of the haze is a solid or semisolid suspension, then it might be removed for inspection by patch testing. Once on the patch or membrane, the sediment can be analyzed microscopically or by infrared or XRF spectroscopy.
Haze can often be cleared up by simply mixing the used oil with new oil or performing a set of serial dilutions using select solvents until the oil regains its clarity.
A simple way to better understand what is causing the haze is the attempt to remove or dissolve the offending dispersion. For instance, if you subject an oil to a vacuum and the haze disappears, the cause may have been entrained air or vapor. In many cases, dehydrating a wet, milky oil can return it to its original clear and bright appearance. [links]
Clean, uncontaminated oil is necessary to lubricate a lawn mower engine so that it runs properly and efficiently. Dirty oil is the result of the normal use of a lawn mower, and the oil should be changed regularly based on how many hours the mower is operated and the environmental conditions where it was used. On the other hand, milky-looking oil is contaminated with water or antifreeze, and may be a sign of internal engine problems. more
Oil that is a whitish milky color is contaminated with water, while oil that is a greenish milky color contains antifreeze. If the water is the result of normal condensation in the engine, the milky color will disappear once the lawn mower engine warms up. If the oil still looks milky after the engine warms up, the water may have leaked into the oil from a defective water pump or cylinder head gasket, or a damaged cylinder head. Antifreeze can also leak into the oil from the cylinder head. A lawn mower with a bad water pump gasket may also overheat due to the loss of water in the cooling system. Other signs of a damaged cylinder head or blown head gasket include difficulty starting, lack of power and engine misfiring.
Melody Lee holds a degree in landscape design, is a Florida Master Gardener, and has more than 30 years of gardening experience. She currently works as a writer and copy editor. Her previous jobs include reporter, photographer and editor for a weekly newspaper.
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Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material.
Well that's a good question, Mike.
Interesting information. My furnace has been cutting out and each time the service techs replaced the filters and nozzle. The filters came out of the canister looking like balls of wax.
My tank is inside the basement and doesn't get that cold. Could there be a problem in the supply chain? - Jay 2/11/12
A Scully MagneLink Snorkel Gauge is an oil tank gauge that includes a float feature to assure that heating oil is picked up from just one-inch below the fuel oil level in the tank. This design avoids picking up water or sludge that are found at the bottom of older oil tanks.
Losing prime and seeing air bubbles is a different problem and not one that the Snorkel Gauge is designed to prevent.
If the oil piping is connected to the bottom of the oil tank it will certainly be blocked by oil waxes settling at the tank bottom. The oil piping in this location is also easily blocked by sludge in the oil tank -