Gungy/Snotty Oil Filler Cap

past experience says I got H2O in m'oil.
I'm assuming head gasket issue - anything else I should be looking at when I pull head off?

any help welcome,

tom

topcatguzzi said:

past experience says I got H2O in m'oil.
I'm assuming head gasket issue - anything else I should be looking at when I pull head off?

any help welcome,

tom

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Don't be too quick to pull the head off, as it may well NOT be that at all.

It may be CONDENSATION caused by a bit of "steam" from combustion gases passing the pistons, and NOT being cleared out by the crankcase breather system.

Condensation is always MUCH worse if the car is used a lot on short runs, and if the engine doesn't heat up properly.

Make sure the engine breather system isn't all choked up. This MUST work properly or the engine WILL get condensation forming inside.

Make sure the thermostat is working, and fit a 92° stat for the winter months.

Make sure you aren't losing coolant. Don't let it run dry!

With any luck you can sav the cost of a head gasket and four hours of graft.

CharlesY

Aye as CharlesY says.
Also don't take the Head off unless you have some of the other symptoms such as
coolant loss.
bubbly coolant.
Big white clouds out the back that don't go when warmed up.
Pull the plugs out and look for washing (No not your y-fronts).
Mayo on fill cap / dipstick / rocker cover cap.
Rusty marks around head bolts.

Got the same on mine havnt got head gasket problems and breathers are clean.Think its the short runs on mine. Good luck

landynutter said:

Got the same on mine havnt got head gasket problems and breathers are clean.Think its the short runs on mine. Good luck

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Yes, short runs are the cause of most of this.

Running the engine while parked for a while after it is up to full temperature does help to clear it, but the best is a good long cruise so the engine vents the condensation.

There should be an air INLET to the engine's innards to cause positive crankcase ventilation. Some cars have this, some dont. It is easy to arrange.

CharlesY

thanks for advice - I haven't done anything but short runs for a long while so it's out and about this weekend,

ta,

tom

topcatguzzi said:

thanks for advice - I haven't done anything but short runs for a long while so it's out and about this weekend,

ta,

tom

Click to expand...

Good plan.

TRy blockingh off the lower half of the raidiator with a aheet of cardboard, and keep an eye on the engine temp of course.

You want it RUNNING at full temp and a nice cruising speed for a good couple of hours to see if a bit of heat and engine ventilation might evaporate the watery stuff out of the crankcase and engine innards..
make SURE you aen't ,osing coolant, and carry a decent big can of clean water to use as top-up in case it is.

Fingers crossed!

CharlesY

On my Ducati there was sometimes mayo on the cap caused by lots of short runs, I know ducati,s are aircooled but the way to get rid of any condensation was to run the engine with the oil/filler cap off to expel any moisture. I wonder if you could do the same with your engine.

stevieboyessex said:

On my Ducati there was sometimes mayo on the cap caused by lots of short runs, I know ducati,s are aircooled but the way to get rid of any condensation was to run the engine with the oil/filler cap off to expel any moisture. I wonder if you could do the same with your engine.

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Don't even think about it!
There will be dirty oil everywhere!
Make the crankcase breatherr system work ... it will deal with the problem.

CharlesY