Mayo under oil filler cap - don't think it is Head Gasket..

voodoojimi

I know a bit about cars but need a bit of advice from more mechanically minded people. I have a 2007 Clio 1.2 Turbo (TCE). I've hardly driven it this year, probably about 1200 miles and never more than 10-15 miles per journey.

The oil filler cap is not on top of the engine block, it sits on the end of a pipe about 6 inches long to the side of the engine. I was filling the screenwash the other day and noticed oil around the filler cap, so cleaned it off and when I tried to take the oil cap off it was really stiff. I got the cap off and it was solid with creamy gunk underneath it. I cleaned it all off and had a good nose around the engine. The oil on the dipstick is clean, my coolant level hasn't dropped and there is no smoke from the exhaust. I gave the car a run for half an hour or so and when I got back there was a bit of oil around the cap again so I don't think it completely seals itself meaning that some oil can exit when the engine runs.

So despite my initial panic, I don't really suspect the head gasket - my theory is that the design of the oil filler and the fact it might not fit snuggly makes that part of the engine prone to condensation and due to short journeys/low mileage the engine doesnt get hot enough to burn it all off.

Anyone got any more ideas?

AdrianC

voodoojimi wrote: »

I've hardly driven it this year, probably about 1200 miles and never more than 10-15 miles per journey.

That's your problem, right there.

The poor thing's never been up to full working temperature, so no wonder there's condensation emulsifying in there.

EdGasketTheSecond

I had a Montego like that with an offset oil filler that used to cream up but the head gasket was fine. Check breather hoses aren't blocked, otherwise just clean it out every so often.