as the titles says, I left my valve cover unbolted and just lightly set on top of my head for about a week. All the while, the temperatures fluctuated between hot and cold and rain and hot and cold and rain, so I'm concered about moisture build up. I havent started the car in about 2 weeks now cause its been about a week since I got the valve cover back on. Should I change the oil where it stands or would it be safe to move it somewhere else? I would rather move it because my driveway is very very slanted and its not ideal for draining the oil out.
#Concern of moisture buildup after leaving valvecover unbolted
charred socket
tall grove
Any moisture accumulated will evaporate as soon you go for a drive.
Just from condensation it’s probably only a few millilitres in the oil. It’s no issue as long it has not rained straight down the engine.
charred socket
any have a second opinion
hollow reef
Water boils at 212, your engine gets that high, if anything change the oil
tall grove
The oil is not hydrophilic. Water does not need to reach boiling point to evaporate. Enough time at operating temperature 90-100c will make the water evaporate. This is why you can sometimes see a bit of white sludge on the oil cap if you only drive the car short journeys.
The oil has not been hot enough for the natural water accumulation to evaporate.
Water is also a bi-product of combustion and eniges are designed to tolerate some water ingestion.
As I said earlier. Being exposed to air for 2 weeks isn’t enough for any meaningful moisture to accumulate. Unless the engine has been sitting completely exposed to rain without a roof, hood or tarp protecting it.
hollow reef
The oil is not hydrophilic. Water does not need to reach boiling point to evapor...
Mine only hits 82C
tall grove
Still enough for it to evaporate