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[geoffr70]

Hello, I changed the oil on the beast a few days ago, and since then the cars has only been manoeuvred at the front of the house until today when I did 20 miles or so.

Anyway, before todays journey I checked the oil filler cap and it has a covering of mayo, when it has never had this before. I normally use genuine GM 10/40, but on the recent oil change I used 5/30 (5/30 for winter 10/40 for summer).

Could this just be down to different oil ( I hope the headgasket(s) isn't/aren't on the way out!) I do do a fair amount of short journeys, but never had it before. There are no other symptoms apart from the usual vapour from the exhaust, the engine ticks over beautifully!
Thanks

[bob.dent]

It's quite common with Omega's when doing short journeys. Usually just a high build up of condensation in the oil filler neck.

[Tony H]

It's probably down to the colder weather mayo is quite normal due to condensation in the engine commonplace with short runs check after a long run and it should be clear.

[geoffr70]

It's quite common with Omega's when doing short journeys. Usually just a high build up of condensation in the oil filler neck.

Thanks bobdent! I know about the mayo, but even after the engine was only running a few mins whilst manoeuvring at the front of the house?

[Kneepad]

Agreed, nothing to fret about. Give it and yourself a treat and take it for a good run.   

[geoffr70]

Thanks! It does seem to run a little better after putting 5/30 in instead of 10/40, or is that just in my mind! :-?

[Omega_Dan]

I always have a light mist of mayo but as the guys say it goes after a longish run. Got GM 10w40 in mine. I have had previous cars where i have ran with 5w 30 oil and i always 'thought' it felt better but was just psychological Imho.

[Filth_Mobile_Jim]

Ive just changed the oil cooler, and rocker gaskets and refilled with genuine GM 10w 40. I was dismayed to find a mist of mayo on the filler cap again, as i thought the head gasket was at fault and not the oil cooler! But you comments have made me a little happier.

As for engines appearing to run better on thinner oil, they may. There is less resistance to shearing the oil in all the moving parts as its thinner, so it may pick up faster and be better on fuel, but long term it may lead to premature wear as bearing clearances are not maintained to manufactureres spec.

[Kneepad]

but long term it may lead to premature wear as bearing clearances are not maintained to manufactureres spec.

As long as you do your oil changes regularly, and don't allow the oil to 'break down' you will have no problem with premature wear.   

[tomoco]

Some oils produce more moisture than others. I've always used genuine VX 10w40. it seems to produce the least mayo. Change it every 5000 miles. You could always take the filler neck off (the yellow cap fits straight onto the cam cover) bit messy when you have to top up etc...(Keep it in the boot just in case)

[05omegav6]

What he(^^^^) just said.

[robson]

I had quite bad mayo before my last oil change I put Mobil 10/40 semi synthetic   in and after 3000mls no more mayo even with a lot of short runs.