Say it ain't so!

[mikew7790]

Hi there

Been noticing small amounts of green mayo in the oil filler cap of late.. wiped it away and it came back a bit more..

I'm not losing coolant, hasn't overheated and the heater blows hot...

The car is used for short runs usually though it was on a 6hour drive this weekend - behaved very well as it happens..

Whats the opinion - does this look like the usual pre-hgf oil filler mayo scenario or is it typical of short journeys? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but i've so much on right now its unreal the car going bang is the last thing i need...

cheers
Mike

[Dr Dave]

That's a normal amount of emulsified oil on the coolest part of the engine, Mike.

Nothing to worry about, I mean it.

[Amagoza]

Seen worse on mine.

Still running fine.

The chances are that if you warm it up thoroughly t will go away. If not, a good warm through and an oil change will clear it up.

[mikew7790]

THANK YOU LADS

I'm very relieved - did the HG swap 6 months ago and don't fancy doing it again!

Need it for the airport tomorrow night thats a long run and I've no doubt as you say, it'll be gone when I get there

I normally try not to stress about this stuff so much but lately things have been a bit different.

thanks again
Mike.

[Amagoza]

Originally Posted by MikeWiltshire

THANK YOU LADS

I'm very relieved - did the HG swap 6 months ago and don't fancy doing it again!

Need it for the airport tomorrow night thats a long run and I've no doubt as you say, it'll be gone when I get there

I normally try not to stress about this stuff so much but lately things have been a bit different.

thanks again
Mike.

When you did the HG fix last did you flush out all the oil from the coolant? Did you get a new rad? Rad's like to hold onto gunk and maybe this is what is now in your coolant.
If the mayo doesn't go I'd drain the coolant and fill up with water and some rad flush to clean it out, then drain and refill with OAT.
Should sort it out.

That mayo is in the oil system - changing the coolant will have no effect upon it. At least, the coolant system will have no effect as long as the head gasket in intact.
Seriously,there is always some condensation in any oil system and a good warm up and a decent run usually shifts it.

My brother had an old Hillman imp (powerful, all alloy engine that was prone to head gasket failure - sound familiar?) which had only done short gtrips for a while and had the same kind of mayo. Oil change and new filter did the job.

[mikew7790]

I didn't get a new rad but did flush out the cooling system.. the only symptom of my HGF was a slight white wax/oily substance in the expansion tank - the HG actually looked fine when I took it out, so guess it was really early days, or it hadn't actually gone! doh.

Anyway as Richard says this mayo is in the oil system, and its going for a good run tonight so I'm sure it will clear.

thanks for your help everyone.
Mike.

[Amagoza]

Sorry I'm being a numpty!! I didn't look at the pic full size from quick glance I thought it was the expansion cap.
I can now see it's the oil filler cap (the colour black threw me as my oil filler cap is yellow)!!
Ignore my post about coolant!!