Have you ever noticed bubbles on oil dipstick? If you have, then you’re not alone; this is a surprisingly common issue that many car owners have to deal with every year.
The good news is that most of the time, it is not necessary to be worried about bubbles appearing on the oil dipstick that you are using.
This article will discuss the reasons that bubbles appear on an oil dipstick, as well as whether or not this is unsafe.
Why Are There Bubbles On Oil Dipstick?
If you’ve noticed bubbles on your oil dipstick, then you’re probably wondering what they mean. Is your engine overheating? Is your car running low on oil?
Also read: Can You Change Oil Filter Without Changing Oil?
If you want to keep your car in good working order and prevent costly repairs because of air bubbles, you need to know why they form.
Let’s explore a few of the most prevalent causes.
Cold Climate
Your car’s engine oil travels through a maze of narrow passages before reaching the oil pan.
Air bubbles are formed every time the oil does this. In normal weather, the bubbles would burst at a known point.
In contrast, if the oil is cold, the bubbles tend to become foam because they are trapped by the oil’s low temperature.
As a result of the oil not being able to reach a temperature that is comfortable for driving in cold weather, the bubbles will begin to foam.
Sump Overflow
Overfilling the sump may be to blame if you discover that your oil is bubbling but the colour hasn’t changed at all.
Oil churn and aeration from the crank can cause substantial engine damage if this is the case.
Leakage and Contamination
Water or coolant contamination may be the cause of lighter-coloured bubbles or foam.
An engine problem like this could just be a gasket head leak or a crack in the block.
This can be an indication that the cooling system is losing water through the leaking gasket if you notice a thick and white foam on your dipstick.
Is it Bad To Have Bubbles On Oil Dipstick?
YES, but only to a certain extent.
High-quality motor oil should NOT foam and should not have bubbles, except the bubbles that are produced by the regular movement that occurs within the crankcase.
Anti-foaming agents are used in the oil to prevent the formation of foam.
The best course of action would be to empty your oil tank and then fill it back up.
Also read: New Alternator But Lights Still Flicker?
Even a mechanic is an alternative if that is more to your liking.
Can There Be Bubbles On Dipstick After Oil Change?
Internal combustion engines are similar to air pumps in that they use air as a source of power.
This means that to turn heat into motion, the combustion chamber must be filled and emptied of the air mixture.
On the pistons’ bottom surfaces, or in the crankcase of the engine, air will be displaced by the movement of the pistons. This noise is made by the crankshaft rotating.
Both the pistons and the connecting rods can only move in one direction. To put it another way, the atmosphere in the crankcase is raging.
It’s possible to remove the oil dipstick while the engine is running. The oil in the engine becomes foamy due to the oil combining with the air in the crankcase due to the turbulence.
Your dipstick may show bubbles, which is entirely normal if you’re using clean engine oil.
As a result, oil dipstick bubbles may indicate more than just turbulence in the crankcase in some cases. Having the car inspected is essential in this circumstance.
Conclusion
There have been several motorists who have reported seeing bubbles on the oil dipsticks of their vehicles, and this is an issue.
Drivers have been wondering about the possible reasons for the bubbles that have been appearing on their oil dipsticks and have been coming up with potential solutions to the problem.
If there is no contamination in the crankshaft, then the bubbles may be created by the turbulence that occurs naturally in the crankshaft.
If you are having any of these problems, you absolutely must get in contact with a mechanic as soon as you possibly can.
Why Are There Bubbles On My Transmission Dipstick?
This is caused if the air is introduced to the fluid. For example, air can get into the filter inside the transmission pan or may be introduced if the fluid is too low or too full.
Why Can’t I See Oil On My Dipstick?
If the dipstick shows no oil, your engine oil level is low. Make sure no leaks or other problems are causing the dipstick to be dirty if this occurs.
Check out some more of our engine related articles!
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.