When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
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.
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
Another pic. The dark brown spot is burnt spot on the stick. The orange stjff is higher.
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.