What is this goop on my oil cap and oil filler neck? Please help!

[joehahn]

Came back from week long trip and saw the usual oil leak on garage floor (push rod tubes) and went to add oil before taking car out for a spin. Open filler cap and underneath it and on filler neck was this nasty looking whitish/yellowish gunk that looked and had the consistency of bernaise sauce (I prefer mine a little thicker than that runny Knor recipe). Car is driving fine, not running too hot, I always add oil to replace what is on garage floor, WHAT IS THIS STUFF?

NOTE: If it is anything bad I don't want to know! I will deal with it next year!

Thanks,

Joe

[norcal914]

Sounds like water , if so drain your oil and replace your oil filter.But the ques. is , "How did it get there" That i cant say. But thatas my guess.
mike

[John Rogers]

Sounds like moisture and oil buildup due to the PCV valve not working correctly. The PCV valve is in the vent assembly where the oil filler is and should have a vent running to the intake plenum. The one on our 1974 is a plastic fitting and I have to be really careful when I remove and clean it once a year. As to how water gets in there, when the engine cools the moisture is drawn in such as through the intake, past any open valves, into the valve train area and down the push rod tubes to the case and it takes a while for it to burn off once you get the engine running. The oil filler and cap are about the high points on the engine which is where the water vapor will go.

[This message has been edited by john rogers (edited 10-04-1999).]

[Conrad W Peden]

How about if you wash the under side of the car with a pressure washer.

[John Rogers]

Could come from washing, but unlikely. I wash the engine/underside of ours about every 2 to 3 months and as the owners manual says, make sure there is no water left standing anywhere on the car, which means drive it so the engine/body panels will dry off. I also wash with hot water and with the engine hot so as to minimize water ingestion.