ArgoS Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Has anyone noticed they have white gunge in their oil filler cap. I checked my oil tonight and the dipstick was showing low oil but clear oil not murky, then i noticed white gunge in the filler cap so cleaned it and did a top up. I checked the water levels and no change at all, full as usual. I am summarising it is just down to theses frequent changes in bad weather. Also engine is in great shape and only has 42000 miles on it so don't think is anything serious as no blue smoke but do seem to get a lot of steam from exhaust on really cold days. Any ideas anyone ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devious Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Possibly condensation or contamination. Get it checked just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArgoS Posted February 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 I certainly will do but this weather isn't doing any good at all. Roll on summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devious Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 My lead nurse had the same thing. Came running into the ward with a creamy filler cap shouting,"what's this?" (Im the resident car nut at work) I advised he went to the garage and they said its emulsified due to the constant sharp increase and decrease of temp. Given the weather is shot as of late, that'd be my guess. Either way, a 20 quid check may just save you a fortune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mek Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 It's usually indication of head gasket failure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ams Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 It's usually indication of head gasket failure.... not always - can just be condensation / blocked breather pipe - esp if you do a lot of short journeys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArgoS Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 I'm putting it down to weather and a lot of short journeys lately but will have it checked. oil inside engine is very clean and no water loss what so ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorris Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) 99% of these problems are caused by short journeys exaggerated by the cold weather.Basically the engine isn’t getting hot enough to steam off the moisture that naturally happens within engines so causing condensation and when mixed with oil it results in a white creamy gunk on top of the oil.It’s easy enough to cure, make sure your oil and coolant are at the correct level and take it for a damn good run. If this is the case it’s nothing to worry about but consistent short journeys for a car with out the occasional blast isn’t good for a car or its engine.If it was head gasket you would get this gunk in the radiator filler cap, excessive steam out the exhaust when hot and an over pressurizing expansion bottle and no coolant left in the engine. Dorris Edited February 6, 2013 by Dorris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaungt4 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Condensation would be my guess if you do a lot of short trips, Also blocked oil breather from, the crank case will cause this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Boy 1 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 My bet would be as Shaungtr said. Condensation due to short runs ans the engine temp not getting hot enough for long enough to evaporate it. My son's Seat Leon and his brothers VW Golf both suffered from this recently, also one of their friends Fiesta's had a similar issue. the beather pipes get gunged up over time and cant clear the "Mayo". If it were head gasket you would see either water in the oil, or more commonly oil in the water and the coolant system get pressurised much quicker than normal. also the coolant will be quite frothy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherv Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 yeah wouldn't hit panic stations just yet,do the above and see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArgoS Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Cheers everyone for great feedback. I'm only wary because this is engine was only recently fitted due to the hydro shock problem i had. Checked it again today, no new gunge build up in filler cap and oil is really clean, water is clear also with no bubbles or smell of exhaust fumes coming from water filler bottle, radiator is spotless inside also. Plus no sweet smell from exhaust that could suggest burning antifreeze. So going to go for a good long drive out tonight Once the weather changes for the better ill do a full re service, it's has only just passed a MOT so it should keep on motoring for yonks and yonks. By the way it only failed on a front wheel bearing that only cost me 20 odd quid to put right, Damn I love Toyota's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planc Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 It's usually indication of head gasket failure.... You sir have watched too many episodes of "Wheeler Dealers". I prescribe a hearty dose of Internet porn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devious Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 ^^^^ like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris_ Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Keep an eye on coolant level, if it starts losing coolant then suspect head gasket. In the meantime, it's more likely condensation especially if you do loads of short journeys and no long ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxxy Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) Just as Dorriss and others have said, At this time of year when its cold and damp many cars do this, the cam cover is cooler than the rest of the engine so condensation will form inside creating this stuff that looks a bit like Mayonaise - (oil and water when mixed emulsify) but wont occur in any other part of the engine .If this stuff is in the rest of the engine then that would probably be down to a leaky head gasket (unlikely with these engines) Short journeys make the problem worse, but its nothing to worry about. Edited February 7, 2013 by foxxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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