I took off theoil cap to add some oil today and saw this.


Its only on the cap and filler neck but not on the dipstick. What is it?

 

Blown head gasket probably. How's it running? Get that oil out and fix the problem ASAP, that gunk wont lubricate your bearings very well.

 

it's antifreeze....cracked head or gasket leaking into engine

 

Might as well put a straw in there, you got a milkshake. How does your anti-freeze look? But IMHO, you either have a busted HG or you are about to

 

Anti-freeze looks brand new and the oil looks good. The milky **** is not on the dipstick. shouldent be on the dipstic too. my old m3 blew a hg and it was on the dipstick

 

Do you short trip the car? If car does not get up to temperture for a period of time this will cause the same thing. I would change oil and drive a good distance and see what it looks like. If car is not using any coolant than your ok.

 

dont worry about it if your dipstick is clean and the antifreeze is OK. If its just around the cap there its probably just from condensation. If its been cold then hot or if its been humid then you will get that problem sometimes. I remember my old GXE would do that every now and then...mostly when it was really humid I believe.

 

It has been hot then cold here. Thanks.

 

you need a better sampling. drain the oil out of the pan and see what it looks like.

 

Drain your oil, Ive seen a that a lot on cars I do oil changes on at work. Due to condenstation it turns the crap around the oil fill/cap light in color.

 

when i had my first 1991 SE, i would start it up every week when i had it in my back yard fixing it.... but i couldnt drive it, and i got that stuff.... all it is , it is from driving short distances......

 

I changed the oil and it was nice and clean and cleaned the milky crap off. So I will see if it comes back.

 

IMO...either get the oil tested or do a compression test.

 

I still have the old oil I will get it tested next week. I'll go rent a compression tester on friday.

 

My bet is that it will come back. It looks like you have there is a minor coolant leak, not big enough to show signs all over the place but small enough to show that you have a problem. I bet if you take off both valve covers it will look just like that. Moisture will raise and since the filler tube/oil cap is the highest part of the system maybe that's the reason why there's no sign on the dipstick. There's a difference between condensation and water and that my friend looks like water in the oil. Was the engine hot or cold when you were about to add some oil? Condensation will burn off soon after the engine reaches operating temperture.

My guess you have a leaking intake manifold gasket

 

It was cold. I will check the valve covers it needs new calve cover gaskets anyway.

 

Is there anything specific that would lead to blowing a HG or is it something that occurs at random?

 

i'd just buy one. you can get one from napa for around $15 and it's something you can use at least whenever you buy a car. new tools are always fun anyway.

 

overheating, previously warped head/block, constant redline or over-revving, old gaskets could potentially spring leaks.

 

This is just caused by condensation..do not worry about it dude...If the oil on the dipstick is clean you are fine and you do not need to have anything tested..I have seen this plenty of times and it is condensation..I bet you have water and or steam come out your exhaust when you first start it also...condensation!

 

That's because the main products of the combustion process are H2O and CO2.

If you have water inside your engine, it is cause for concern. It seems that this case may not be as bad as some are saying, but it's at least cause for him to be concerned.
For the $20 it costs to have the oil tested, that's a small price to pay compared to severe engine damage if you ignore a potential problem and it gets worse.

 

Is car using any coolant? If not, it is not the head gasket. If you would like, get the oil tested, but it is a waste if you are not using coolant.

 

No coolant loss.

 

do you take it for short drives???? my VG did the same thing....

 

clean or check your pcv.

 

If the car runs fine, does not stall, and the oil and coolant levels are good, it's just condensation and it's normal when it's cold out and you run short trips with the car.

I get the same thing in winter living here in Canada when I do errands.

 

as you notice the actual oil isnt milky..... it is just condensation..... have your car running and have it idle for a while and keep that cap off... youll see some evaporation coming out of that pipe