Milky Residue on Oil Cap during winter? Welcome

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

Winter is here and I've noticed last winter on a bunch of forums this type of thread pops up at least once a week on pretty much all engine specific forums.



During the winter, it gets so cold that the oil vapors in your crankcase and condensates onto your oil cap. Most people see this when they go to change their oil or just take of the cap and panic thinking. It's nothing more than oil/water emulsion.



What it is:

What you are seeing is nothing more but oil sludge. It is the result of hot oil fumes condensing at the oil breather area near the oil cap and interacting with moisture from the air, mostly in cold weather.. The white-yellowish goo you see is oil condensation mixed with water vapors.



What causes it:

This yellow sludge, goo gunk, whatever you wanna call it, formes because:

1. You drove the engine frequently on short trips and it could not heat up long enough to burn off the water vapors.

2. The oil seals on the oil breather and the oil cap are shot (rarely).

3. You did not tighen the oil cap all the way

4. It's cold outside



How to fix/avoid this:

1. Replace both oil gaskets in the oil breather. One sits between the oil breather and the valve cover. The second gasket you must replace is the one on the oil cap. When these gaskets get heated, the rubber/silicone often burns and shrinks thus allowing for moist air to enter and interact with oil fumes

2. Avoid short trips

3. Switch to synthetic oil. Synthetics have better detergent qualities and will not sludge as much as the conventional motor oil



Hope this makes sense and



cliffnotes:

Milky residue is to be expected on your oil cap in cold weather. It is normal and NO FIX IS NEEDED because it is NOT a problem.



go on and be smart and safe





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/Ollie18/DSC04578.jpg

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http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/attachments/vr-vs-holden-commodore-1993-1997/50932d1219471384-stuff-my-engine-oil-cap-please-help-image080.jpg

http://dubpix.com/Pics/VORTEX/PIC00434.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads7/IMG_25511144676344.jpg





now with some great words





If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

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http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt83/ninety9gl/milkbags3.jpg

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

there is the small offchance it's your headgasket failing but if your car runs fine and does not burn any coolant (check the level periodically)...it's fine

[m3f_Z3MCOUPE_0a03b38016]

vomit

[m3f_TomS2_a2fd8cbb3e]

milky residue is OK unless it is in the cap of the coolant expansion tank.

[m3f_fitchesbas_a4754265ce]

hmmm looks headgaskety

[m3f_epj3_d2e882815a]

hmmm looks headgaskety



Ya... I've NEVER seen this on any of my cars. I kind of wonder if there's another cause? Can't imagine a ton of condensation being formed within the crank case/valve cover since it's usually hot and coated with oil?

[m3f_Blutarsky_9fc23e08a5]

what they said ^^



never seen or heard of this before. have a hard time believing everything's ok, but if you say so

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

what they said ^^



never seen or heard of this before. have a hard time believing everything's ok, but if you say so



under the conditions I got listed, it s a common sight. Look out for it this winter and if you drive 2 miles at a time

[m3f_Blutarsky_9fc23e08a5]

under the conditions I got listed, it s a common sight. Look out for it this winter and if you drive 2 miles at a time



what is this "winter" you speak of? I live in the desert :lolhit:

[m3f_fitchesbas_a4754265ce]

I've never seen this on any car in winter temperatures. And in my E36 I was checking the oil weekly in cold temperatures in State College.

[m3f_JPoland_e17b491a3d]

I've not seen this on any of my cars however, I'm not saying I disagree with you. I do think it shouldn't be there though and if it is, there is at least a bad seal somewhere.

[m3f_TJDiCandido]

I'd guess that’s almost certainly a bad head gasket.

[m3f_sivikvtec_3585b3a59e]

haha you guys crack me up. My 1998 M3 does it, my friends 1997 M3 does it, and my old roomates 1999 323is does it. I guess we have all had bad headgaskets for YEARS. lol.

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

haha you guys crack me up. My 1998 M3 does it, my friends 1997 M3 does it, and my old roomates 1999 323is does it. I guess we have all had bad headgaskets for YEARS. lol.



honestly I agree with you about the cracking up, thanks 4 reading.



I do hope most of you guys READ my posts before sounding off about bad HGs.... please do so. I was just trying to be helpful

[m3f_Eurotakeov_cc5228cf7e]

if that looks like Milk to you... i dont want to know what milk you have been drinking. Thats vomit.