What is the stuff on the engine oil cap

[xyy]

Hey guys,
I just checked my engine oil level this morning, and then opened the cap. I saw some with stuff on it and some water.I am curious about what is those white stuff? Is it sludge?
I just changed

my oil 3 wks ago, only have 400mile on it.

 

[Johnny]

It is condensation. You notice it more in the winter than you do in the summer. It is the emulsifiers in the oil doing their job. Water vapors collect on the coldest part of the engine, and is the underneath side of your valve covers. Take the car out for a good long drive on the highway and most of it will go away, sooner or later.

It is not sludge.

 

[chubbs1]

I can't upload the pics, johnny is most likely right "white stuff can be from low temp burn off but white stuff can also be a coolant problem, did you notice anything in the oil last OC? It most likely is just some coking which, once cleaned, shouldn't be back for a while.

 

[goodtimes]

Get it all the time and a lot, on an 01 Mercedes E320. This is in California with barely frost any time, but damper coastal area. The E320 cap is way up top though and over some other baffles. Not a good design, or maybe it is as it keeps the goo up there.

With the Benz the issue is worse because who wants to be buying/dumping 8.5 qts of M1 early, when 5 qts would have done just fine in a 3.2 six. It is driven 2 miles to the beach every day to walk with the dog, and back. The temp gauge just starts to move before turning off. I have a rough life here.

 

[Jim 5]

Got it in the winter in my 02 BMW 330ci. It was what Johnny said as my UOAs were still very good.

 

[demarpaint]

I get in in the snow blower if I don't run it long enough. It looks like dirty melted vanilla ice cream.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I get in in the snow blower if I don't run it long enough. It looks like dirty melted vanilla ice cream.


Yuck...

 

[demarpaint]

LOL how about vanilla ice cream w/a hint of chocolate syrup in it?

 

[xyy]

Thanks Johnny.

BTW, do you know how to updat the pic? I found the "enter a image" botton, but it ask to input a http address. How can I upload a pic from my computer?



Originally Posted By: Johnny
It is condensation. You notice it more in the winter than you do in the summer. It is the emulsifiers in the oil doing their job. Water vapors collect on the coldest part of the engine, and is the underneath side of your valve covers. Take the car out for a good long drive on the highway and most of it will go away, sooner or later.

It is not sludge.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: xyy
Thanks Johnny.

BTW, do you know how to updat the pic? I found the "enter a image" botton, but it ask to input a http address. How can I upload a pic from my computer?



Originally Posted By: Johnny
It is condensation. You notice it more in the winter than you do in the summer. It is the emulsifiers in the oil doing their job. Water vapors collect on the coldest part of the engine, and is the underneath side of your valve covers. Take the car out for a good long drive on the highway and most of it will go away, sooner or later.

It is not sludge.


You need to upload it from your computer to an image hosting website, like http://www.imageshack.us

From there, use the method you did only include the 'direct link' that is generated after posting it onto the image hosting site(it will generate many URLs, the http thing you were needing, pick the direct link and copy what appears in your address bar back onto your next post to the thread here.



I have another question, what about reddish/orange like gunk collecting under the fill cap?

 

[tig1]

Engines that have a tall oil fill hole(well above the valve cover)will show this. Both of my engines have the oil fill cap on the valve cover itself, and I have never had this build up.