Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

So I checked my oil this morning, like I do occasionally. Pulled the dipstick out and there was some orange liquid on the stick. It was not sludgy, and I don't have orange coolant. Wiped it off and rechecked the oil. This time it came out clean and with the oil right on the full mark.
My first thought (fear) was head gasket leak, but the oil fill cap is clean, smells like straight oil, my oil level is full, and the car doesn't run rough at startup or anything like that. Anyone ever seen this?
Picture up next.

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...59ae40fed1.jpg


Orange is in dipstick shape, the rest is oil...

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

Id drain all fluids and put new fluids inside. Did you drive the car after you found the orange stuff? If so, how did the car drive?

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

Yes, I drove it to work this morning. Drove fine.

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

Orange is weird.. Id drain fluids just to be on the safe side.

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

Did it look like rust spots? Like surface rust on your brake rotors?

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

It was a similar color, yes.

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

What type of oil did you use for your last oil change?

Do you see any condensation or rust on your dip stick or in your dip stick tube?

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

I used cheap oil. Wolf's head 5w20. Didn't notice anything before today. Also while I was checking fluids today, I saw oil in spark plug well. It was older oil and I think is leftover from my leaking valve cover which was just replaced. It's just in the #1 well, though. Coolant levels are good, transmission fluid is good and pretty red. I'm gonna chalk this orange up to not anything to worry about. Still runs smooth, no hesitation or lights and it just passed emissions check a week ago yesterday and don't think it would have passed from there were a leaking g head gasket
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-t...142452b2ff.jpg


Another pic. The dark brown spot is burnt spot on the stick. The orange stjff is higher.

Re: Uh-oh? orange on oil dipstick
 

I wouldn't necessarily say that is orange. But since you said you used cheap oil perhaps that has something to do with its strange color. I would swap out that oil for some real oil.