| Sounds like condensation has found it's way in to the oil and it has emulsified. The brown caramel mix you can see is the oil and water emulsion. A good oil will have additives to try and combat this.
The worst thing for an engine oil is short runs in cold weather and then being stored in a cold garage. Engine gets warm on the short run and then as it cools condensation can form inside the engine and find it's way in to the oil. A long run should allow the engine, and oil, to warm up enough to flash the condensation off.
The other, and worse, possibillity is that a gasket has gone and you are leaking engine coolant in to the oil. This is a very out side posibillity. Much more likely that the cold damp weather, short runs etc etc are to blame.
I'd keep an eye on it, if it does not clear after a decent run with the engine at normal temp then may be do an oil change. An oil change is cheap preventative maintenance.
Also, another consideration is that if you do have water in the oil this could start to "corrode / rust" any steel internal engine parts if left standing for to long ie: 3 or 4 months over winter.  |