I live on the very wet Oregon coast. I just purchased a '96 xj6 with 136,000 miles. It had been sitting for about two months when I got her. There is brown foam on the dipstick and the check engine light is on. I thought head gasket, but oil cap and visible area under it is clean and froth free. Coolant is clean, and not being lost. The car does not run hot, or have a miss, nor can I smell coolant. The battery was dead when I got her, but is charging fine now. Any thoughts? Also, I plan to buy a Sensor today, but there isn't an Auto Zone for 87 miles. I have a Car Quest, and an O'Reileys here, so would also appreciate a nod as to which one to buy a sensor from. Thanks for any advice you can provide. Mike (hoping it's not a headgasket) Clark.

 

Change the oil and filter, then drive 'er and see what happens. IF there's coolant in the oil you don't want to run the engine.

You can buy a "block test kit" to check for a leaking head gasket, or have a shop with an exhaust analyzer "sniff" the coolent for hydrocarbons, but I'd hold off at this point. It might simply be a condensation problem.






Which sensor?

In many cases the chain/franchise stores sell the same stuff. Any one of the three is probably OK.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug;
Took your advice and flushed engine, and new oil and filter. When tech checked level, he noticed a bolt missing from the dipstick tube top support, plus the tube has worked loose at the base, letting water in. Problem solved, I hope! You just made my Christmas List! Thanks again, Mike

 

Glad things worked out well....but 'twas the tech, not me, who solved your problem :-).

Anyhow, it's always nice when a problem turns out to be non-serious.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks guys for your replies