Starting about a year ago I've noticed there was a little rust on my dip stick which would just rub off. Since then, I've taken my van across the country three times. Now I don't drive it everyday like I used to and the rust is getting pretty bad on the dip stick and there is always condensation on the oil fill cap and filler tube.Occasionally after a long drive, I'llleave the engine running, pull off the oil fill cap and just letout all the steam. I change my oil religiously every 3000 miles and use a quart of Lucas stabilizer everytime. At first I thought it was a blown head gasket, but it yields no other symtoms (whitesmoke, etc.) Someone at the parts store told me the engine is just getting old and thats what happens. I mean its got 216,000 miles, but come on, I know its got another 50,000 still in it, at least. This engine has done nothing but impressed me the last 5 years. Well anyways, I havn't noticed any performance issues. Just recently its been stuttering just a little upon start up, but I think its fuel related, tho I could be wrong. Any ideas? Sound like a head gasket? I am about to change my oil again and I'm epecting brown rusty oil.

 

Rusty oil can be from slight antifreeze seepage into the crankcase. The moisture forms rust which ends up in the oil.