Creamy oil.

bexxy · Post by **bexxy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:15 pm

Hello to all, wondered if anyone can help I checked the oil today on my BX16TGS auto and seen that it was just short of max so i went to put a drop in and when i took the filler cap off there was a lot of creamy mayonaise in side the tube, cap and when i took the pipe's off the cap they had some in aswell, I checked the radiator level which was just at the bottom of the tube when you look down which is the same level as when i bought her in november , I know that the mayonaise is caused by water/moisture in the oil but that is about all i do know i have been told it could be the head gasket but she drive's fine run's ok . I did notice a bit of water from the exhaust when started and left to warm up but just thought that it was condensation , the car only get's started and used once a fortnight as i work away at the moment but give her a 20-30 mile run.thank's in advance for any help..mark ( bexxy).

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:47 pm

That sounds normal really for a car used on short journeys infrequently. You'd do well to clean all the mayonaise out the filler cap and breather pipe work. If you do short journeys it'll keep reappearing but it's only water vapour condensing and emulsifying with oil vapours.
Water out the exhaust is normal too at least until the car is warm and you've had a good 30 minute run. Keep an eye on the coolant level all the same.

bexxy · Post by **bexxy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:24 pm

Cheers hope your right , i've just dipped the coolant using a thin piece of cloth and it came out all brown and slimy , think it all need's replacing and i will run a flush through the engine then drop the oil and put new in and a filter, i've cleaned the cap took the gauze out which has been out before looking at the state of the cap on the inside and cleaned in petrol and put back together. All in all i think she just need's to get out more..
mark(bexxy)

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:31 pm

this is still available, and I shan't be scrapping it just yet.

Want it?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:38 pm

It's a 'feature' of all the petrol BX's that condensation will do as Bandit says - and it does good to clean it out periodically. Nothing to worry about.

As for the coolant, if it's worrying you I guess you could flush it etc.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:41 pm

DavidRutherford wrote:this is still available, and I shan't be scrapping it just yet.

Want it?

There shouldn't be any problem with the engine and box David... it's the cosseted 16TGS Auto I picked up with 23k miles and a thorough main dealer history, and it's still on less than 40k I think. It was tight as a drum. Sure it's still in good order.

bexxy · Post by **bexxy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:56 pm

Still only on 39600 mile's phil and drive's great it's just me nit picking i like everything to be right. I noticed the cambelt was replaced in feb 2004 will that need done again as it's been 5 year's and a lot of car's state a set mileage or 5 year's.mark(bexxy)

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:13 pm

For the sake of a cam belt, I wouldn't take the chance, personally, with such a pristine example.

bexxy · Post by **bexxy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:18 pm

Cheers phil .

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:20 pm

On the mayonnaise - the colder the temperature the more condensation will occur.
I believe some people wrap insulation round the filler and oil breather pipes.
My GTi lives in cold temps every winter. Since removing the gauze permanently in the filler cap I do not see any mayo in th pipes.

bexxy · Post by **bexxy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:28 pm

Good tip Jaba cheers , will take the gauze out of mine it looks really tatty now anyway.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:51 pm

What does that gauze really do anyway?

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:10 pm

Perhaps it's there to stop/reduce the condensation running down into the oil????

prm · Post by **prm** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:59 pm

The gauze should act as a oil mist/air separator for crankcase/sump ventilation.
By restricting the air flow, any oil mist present should collect on the fine mesh and then return any surplus oil. Also, when interlinked to the intake system, this air flow should??, remove the water mist content.

With a cold engine, water vapour/condensation collects on the wire stands initially, restricting the return of any oil, thus emulsified oil mixture builds up until sufficient temperature is achieved to dissipate any water.

Would recommend removing pipe and cap and soaking in paraffin, you will be amazed by the amount of crud that can build up in vent pipes, especially if they are slightly collapsed internally or kinked.

You could try a slightly higher temp thermostat (this weather!!) for continuous short journeys, oil change??
Found a particular brand/grade of oil seems to suit individual engines, with virtually no crud build-up hot or cold.