Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Devon_Kev on 24 July 2007, 16:13:51

Title: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Devon_Kev on 24 July 2007, 16:13:51
I topped up my oil yesterday and noticed that the inside of the filler cap had a creamy coloured film on it

any suggestions :question
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Grumpy on 24 July 2007, 16:30:06
Unless you're getting other symptoms, such as overheating engine or unexplained
coolant loss, I wouldn't worry about it.

You often get condensation forming inside the cambox, and if you don't run the
engine hot and long enough to burn it off then you get a slight emulsifying effect
with the oil at the extremities.  ;)
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Devon_Kev on 24 July 2007, 16:36:03
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: ffcgary1 on 24 July 2007, 16:36:39
I would suggest that an oil and filter change be done,clean the filler cap and take it on a nice long run to get the new oil all through the system.then repeat at intervals of about 3,000/4,000milesesp if the car does lots of short runs. ;) :y
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Grumpy on 24 July 2007, 16:50:06
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it

Do you mean that your oil level is going down but you can't see any sign
of leakage?

Or that you can see oil around/ underneath engine but can't trace it?
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Markie on 24 July 2007, 17:27:15
this is normal on omegas - dont worry.

Condensation mixes with the oil on short runs to give impression of mayo - many people panice thinking Head failure etc it is not.

2 ways to fix it - take the omega on a long vigerous run - it will clear. And regulas oil changes particularly if you do short journeys.  :y
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: ffcgary1 on 24 July 2007, 17:38:04
I rest my case mlord. :)
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: rcaws on 24 July 2007, 17:52:01
mine does quite a few short journeys and usually has a bit of mayo on the filler if i top it up!  :)
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Crazydad on 24 July 2007, 18:24:12
Quote
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it

Do you mean that your oil level is going down but you can't see any sign
of leakage?

Or that you can see oil around/ underneath engine but can't trace it?

Take a spark plug out and have a good look at it make sure its not covered in oil  :y :y
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Crazydad on 24 July 2007, 18:27:24
Quote
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it

Do you mean that your oil level is going down but you can't see any sign
of leakage?

Or that you can see oil around/ underneath engine but can't trace it?

Take a spark plug out and have a good look at it make sure its not covered in oil  :y :y

Check this out     http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1184078310/0#0
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Devon_Kev on 24 July 2007, 18:34:14
Quote
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it

Do you mean that your oil level is going down but you can't see any sign
of leakage?

Or that you can see oil around/ underneath engine but can't trace it?

Can see oil underneath smokes when i stop and spraying oil over the front of my caravan when towing
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Crazydad on 24 July 2007, 18:36:00
Quote
Quote
have an oil leak from somewhere but im damned if i can find it

Do you mean that your oil level is going down but you can't see any sign
of leakage?

Or that you can see oil around/ underneath engine but can't trace it?

Take a spark plug out and have a good look at it make sure its not covered in oil  :y :y

Check this out     http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1184078310/0#0

Or this one  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1182599652 :y :y
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Devon_Kev on 24 July 2007, 18:41:59
Would I be right in thinking cam cover gaskets
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Grumpy on 24 July 2007, 18:44:53
At least you're leaking it and not using it. It's a lot cheaper to fix a leak than
repair a worn engine and/ or valve guide seals.  :)

If it's smoking then sounds like it's dripping onto the exhaust which would
suggest cam cover seals. If it is this, then ensure you clean the breather system
prior to replacing the seals. If you don't eradicate the cause then the new seals
will just blow again.
Plenty of info and genned up folk on this forum that will talk you through it.

Clean up any  external oil to aid identifying the leakage point and then run the engine
again to spot the leak. Don't just look at where it's dripping off the engine, that may not
be where the leak is originating from.
Same as a leaky house roof, where you spot the leak entering your house is normally
yards away from it's entry point through the roof.
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Markie on 24 July 2007, 18:45:30
Quote
Would I be right in thinking cam cover gaskets


in spark plug wells, yes. Do them both and nly use genuine vx gaskets  :)
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: amigov6 on 24 July 2007, 19:10:25
If you've no other problems do'nt worry. I did the same thing, it's just short journeys, but i bricked it for a while. You can pull the black plastic oil filler off (cheersMDTM) clean it and go on a run, should still be clear. :y
Title: Re: cream colour on oil filler cap
Post by: Abiton on 24 July 2007, 20:43:50
I feel the need to confess that I've only just worked out why this mayo forms, more specifically where the water comes from.

Of course, it's a combustion by-product!  Blow-by (of steam) past the piston rings takes this gaseous water into the crankcase, where, if the temperature is low, it will condense and to some degree mix with the oil.

Once the engine's fully up to temp it won't condense, but just scoot out the top through the breather system, giving you a smidge of water injection  ;D (well, probably steam actually). That which has condensed/mixed will be distilled off again.

Feel free to laugh at me for only just getting this.  I only commute 4 miles each way to work, so see a bit of this mayo, especially in winter-time.