Well I'm sure I'm going to get a few people nuts but here goes.

While some people say that buying Volvo fiters may be the most wonderful filters in the world ($7.00 a piece) I have used that 'orange kiss of death' on all my cars at a K-mart price of $2.99. So Fram is NOT more expensive! My Volvo has 168k on the odometer, My Chevy pickup has 239K and my Jeep CJ5 has 212K on the odometer. NONE of these engines have been torn down and overhauled!!

At more than twice the price, and me changing oil every 300 miles, I am changing oil and filters literaly ever other month on each car. It adds up. With all the mileage on different make cars, my cars are kissed but not with death by these orange critters.

Milky look:

This is something I did on an old beater to clear up its incredibley gummy looking and milky valve rockers. It worked I don't know how i feel about it BUT here goes.

Diesel fuel has a lubricant in it yet it is of very low viscosity, What I did to remove this mud from my engines internals was to run the car up to temperture, dump the oil, Fill it up with 4 quarts of diesel fuel and ran it at an idle in the driveway for 15 minutes. The thought was that the fuel would breakup that mud and at the same time provide enough lube. to keep me out of trouble. The crap that came out after that was short of amazing, I did it again six months later but in the meantime I changed oil in normal intervals. The car lasted for 3 more years until my brother thought a guardrail needed customizing.

If you don't do 3000 mile oil changes, start doing that first and see if that clears you out. This car I played with was just bought and was LOADED with crap under those valve covers. When I went with the diesel game.

you are right. the condensation will be there every morning now that weather is cooler. just to be sure check the cap after you have done some driving and you have gotten to operating temp.

Regarding the oil filter controvery. I've used Volvo or Mann with few exceptions. I'v noticed no strange noises when using a Framm occasionaly, but I really wasn't listening for any. I have noticed when emtptying the Volvo/Mann filters that the oil pours out slowly while the Fram empties like rain water pouring out of a boot. I ascribe this effect to the check valve used in these filters. As far as expense is concerned, you can get Mann filters at any AP store by ordering a Beck Arnely part and you will get a reboxed Mann filter for about $5. You can also order them from IPDusa.com on the net for the same price. Order a case to amortize the shipping costs. Volvo Club of America's tests of all the commonly available filters indicates Volvo/Mann is the best performer and I believe them. BTW my 1982 245 (with 83 B-23F) has 371K on the clock without an overhaul and still gets 20 MPG in town and 24 on the road and about 1500 miles per Qt.

Dean

Ugly Duckling wrote:

>milky stuff on oil cap... I think it was condensation because of the cold, >foggy weather we've been having.

Well... it looks exactly the same as I had with my 122-1967. It is caused mostly by too much mileage between oil change. There may be also unsufficient ventilation of the crankcase area. That means cleaning the fire trap.

That milky stuff plugged all the lubrication holes of the valves rocker shaft on my B-18. Had to put all new parts at 50k miles.

And I hope somebody will comment about the "Orange kiss of death" subject that was posted just about one week and a half ago.

Good oil, good filter, that keeps these engine running for ever. Good luck.