Gunky oil cap?!?

[s3mike]

I've noticed in the past couple of weeks that the oil filler cap on my S3 has white deposits on it. I know that this is normally the sign of head gasket issues but I've also heard it can be caused by short journies in cold weather ( condensation mixing with the oil ? )

My car has used no oil or coolant since new and it runs fine. Could the deposits be a symptom of my 7/8 mile town journey to work and cold weather?

There is no gunk or deposits on the dipstick or in the engine ( what I can see from the oil filler cap ), it's purely on the underside of the oil cap.

Anyone else had this?

 

[newbiecrg]

Mine is ok... but it is staying in warmer weather and never does less than a 20 mile trip... and does lots of motorway...

Pedro

 

[phantom]

Mines fine mate , i would think 7/8 mile is a decent trip , it's not as if your driving it and the car never gets up to temp?

leon

 

[daviscup]

Yeah checked my oil at weekend and found a bit of white gunk under my cap too. Thought it was a bit strange, but car still has lots of warranty so not too worried.

 

[s3mike]

That's true, it does get up to temp and the oil temp usually gets up to 80 or 90.

I can't understand where it's coming from if no coolant is disappearing though.

Maybe I'll get the dealer to check - I can hear the response now though!!

 

[richjohnhughes]

check your coolant bottle also - if it contains some oil you have a issue.......otherwise, just short trips. clena it out and take for a long blast and then check again.

 

[s3mike]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll have a play on the weekend and see if it goes away on longer journeys.

 

[Caesium]

unlikely its the head gasket, its condensation.

Take the car on a good run of say 100 miles and get it nice and hot, the water will turn to steam and disappear.

 

[golf]

I'd be very, very surprised if it was the head gasket on such a new car.

It's more a case of the oil hasn't reached full operating temperature and as a result you see the condensation under the cap. It needs a decent long run to clear up the cobwebs, take it for a drive on the motorway and I'm certain you'll find the cap clean as a whistle.

 

[phantom]

I'm only doing very short trips in mine ATM , but when it's up to temp i do give it a GOOD HIDING The S3 loves being driven hard!

p

 

[s3mike]

I'll give it some stick on the way home.

Only problem is I run out of road too fast!

 

[phantom]

If you don't have the space to open it up, just keep it in a lower gear , drive in second and third , instead of third and fouth.

Give the engaine some load to deal with! Not good for your MPG, but good for the car. lol

p

 

[warren_S5]

Just checked and I have white deposits too. I do a lot of short journeys though so for once I'm not too concerned (with fingers tightly crossed).

 

[s3mike]

I had a thrash on a deserted road near me and got the oil temp up to 99 degrees.

Checked under the cap when I got back and no more white stuff.

Doesn't look like it's anything to worry about.

 

[phantom]

I had a thrash on a deserted road near me and got the oil temp up to 99 degrees.

Checked under the cap when I got back and no more white stuff.

Doesn't look like it's anything to worry about.

Good stuff, we have a sporty car , it's made to be driven hard-ish so enjoy it!

p

 

[newbiecrg]

yeap... mine sometimes oil temp reaches 104... the car seems to like being revved..

Pedro

 

[MatLamont]

i had the same problem, i took it to a garage they said it was fine. i checked a week later it was worse. it turned out my engine was full of water lol! so i had a second hand engine put in. Under warranty of course