[Mk2] [NA] Whitish stuff in the oil cap!

[Rab555]

Hi folks, found the nightmare milky stuff inside the oil cap.

Does this mean the gaskets gone/about to go? Or are there relatively simple problems that this can indicate?

Cheers in advance for any help/advice

[Martin F]

It could be but it can also be caused if you do a lot of short journeys, if you have no other symptoms i wouldn't overly worry about it.

[Quigonjay]

in the worse case scenario, yes it would usually mean the head gasket
it can also build up if the car isnt used very often and only for short journeys, not giving the car enough time to warm up

[Rab555]

Cheers guys that sounds like a bit of a relief then, no other problems and is only used for short journeys ie. work and back (4 mile round trip) twice per day.

Would it be sensible to take it a longer drive every weekend say? or won't that have much effect?

Oil itself seems clean enough

[JayUK91]

I have a 5 mile round journey to work every day. I do however take it for a 60ish mile journey once or twice a week...i haven't seen the milky crap yet.

I had it in my last car though, but i ONLY did short journeys in that.

[Rab555]

Cool, i'm getting the car checked over next week anyway but i'll introduce a decent trip at the weekends..... not sure the bird will like it cutting into her shopping time though

Cheers mate

[Quigonjay]

i used to live so close to work i actually changed my route for a better drive which the gave the car enough time to warm up

[daveslater3110]

I just warm it up for a good ten minutes on the old turbo timer in a morning before I set off. Works a treat. Neighbours don't like it a right lot, but nads to them, mr2 comes first!!

[Si_Crewe]

Top tip from riding bikes: Get the engine nice and hot then take the oil filler cap off and leave it for 5 minutes before putting it back.

What happens is the air inside your engine condenses (especially in the cold weather) and then you see the watery residue.
If you get the engine nice and hot any water in the oil will turn to steam and escape when you remove the filler cap.

Keeping an eye on the coolant is a better way to check for a dodgy head gasket.
If the coolant is dropping (obviously) or you're seeing a lot of pressure in the coolant system even though the engine is still cold it's usually a bad sign.

Also, you can get little kits which'll detect CO in the coolant. That'll tell you if you head gasket is leaking.