Why are there bubbles and my oil dipstick smells like gas?

Question

After replacing the heater control valve and thermostat, my 1995 ford ranger 4.0L V6 ran great for 3 or 4 weeks now I think the water pump is leaking, so while checking that I checked the oil and there were little bubbles on the dipstick and it smelled like gas. Not strong smell but you could smell the gas. When I checked the oil the next morning, there were no bubbles at all. But after running it again there were more bubbles.

David · Accepted Answer

sounds like you got a head gasket starting to go bad. could be rings too, letting some gas flow past into the oil and bubbles caused by compression leakage.

? · Answer

you either have a head gasket blown or a cracked head. If so you will notice bubbles coming out of your radiator. your spark plugs are wet. look in your oil if its a milky color your have a blown head gasket or warped/cracked head. take your valve cover off and see its real runny or a white substance also in your radiator youll see a white paste or cooking grease substance. I have a blown head gakset or cracked head lol not to the point yet to know witch it is.

also you saying the bubbles are in the oil and smells like gas tells me there is a possible chance that theres a head problem

Anonymous · Answer

Sounds like your oil pump is aerating.Its like when you use a straw to drink a beverage and the straw has a crack in it.You suck up beverage mixed with bubbles because of the air being sucked in through the crack.So if the oil pump gears are worn/loose it will do this.The pump may need to be replaced.Have it checked out(via oil pressure test)

Crazyr monkey · Answer

the bubbles went away because liquids will sink to the bottom of oil.
you might have a bad gasket or piston or rings. somewhere there is a leak. change oil and filter and see if it happens again. if it does get it to a shop. its definatly internal

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Why are there bubbles and my oil dipstick smells like gas?

4 Answers