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[combatzone]

Hi all,

So my omega developed a minor oil leak a week or so ago now, and after checking the oil level tonight noticed I needed a top up.
On removal of the oil cap I noticed a creamy coloured substance on it, little or nothing to be honest but I was always under the impression that this meant the head gasket was away. However the engine isn't over heating and it isn't using any water, which I thought were also signs of a head gasket. I've never had head gasket trouble on a car before this is why I ask. Car is a facelift 3.0 mv6 if that helps.

All advice much appreciated!

Thanks

Neil.

[kevinp58]

Probably the oil cooler mate  Is water brown

[The Red Baron]

as above, i would suspect oil cooler. check header tank for contamination. 

[martin42]

If your doing short journeys you can get some mayo on the oil cap,if coolant is ok and not brown sludge,then everything is fine,might be worth doing an oil change 

[combatzone]

Could the oil cooler be the cause of my leak as well as the creamy gunk under the oil cap? Is it an easy fix? Or a new unit required? Have a new oil filter here, may as well do an oil change too.

Thanks

Neil.

[05omegav6]

Nope service it, clean the breathers and use decent oil

When the oil cooler fails the coolant bottle will be full of mayo not tother way round. Head gasket doesn't let coolant in to the oil

[kevinp58]

Could the oil cooler be the cause of my leak as well as the creamy gunk under the oil cap? Is it an easy fix? Or a new unit required? Have a new oil filter here, may as well do an oil change too.

Thanks

Neil.

As said by others short jorneys do give mayo in cap and filler tube. 
Check your water bottle for signs of sludge  it is quite a common thing for the coolers to go but very rear to have HG go.

[Entwood]

Given the fact that it is now getting colder, if the car is not given a decent 30-40 mile run then condensation build up is to be expected, especially if the breathers have not been done recently, and/or the oil is old or not Vauxhall semi-synth .... other oils seem to cause more emulsification for some reason ...

IMHO a good clean of the breathers, an oil change to Vx semi-synth, and a couple of decent runs .. then check again before even thinking of other problems .. as they are all far harder and more expensive to fix .. and what I propose is actually just good servicing... 

[VXL V6]

Is it a 1998 model?

Nothing you have mentioned points to head gasket failure as others have confirmed 

[The Red Baron]

Is it a 1998 model?

Nothing you have mentioned points to head gasket failure as others have confirmed 

facelift mv6. 

[dbug]

Nope service it, clean the breathers and use decent oil

When the oil cooler fails the coolant bottle will be full of mayo not tother way round. Head gasket doesn't let coolant in to the oil

Agreed, perfectly normal for mayo on oil filler cap if car used on short journeys.

Don't understand how oil cooler diagnosed as faulty from ops symptoms

[combatzone]

Right, I'll give the car a good service this weekend and take it from there.

Thanks for the help

[05omegav6]

Nope service it, clean the breathers and use decent oil

When the oil cooler fails the coolant bottle will be full of mayo not tother way round. Head gasket doesn't let coolant in to the oil

Agreed, perfectly normal for mayo on oil filler cap if car used on short journeys.

Don't understand how oil cooler diagnosed as faulty from ops symptoms

I didn't merely describing the symptoms... reply number two mention the cooler

Helps to read the whole thread before jumping on one answer...

[dbug]

Nope service it, clean the breathers and use decent oil

When the oil cooler fails the coolant bottle will be full of mayo not tother way round. Head gasket doesn't let coolant in to the oil

Agreed, perfectly normal for mayo on oil filler cap if car used on short journeys.

Don't understand how oil cooler diagnosed as faulty from ops symptoms

I didn't merely describing the symptoms... reply number two mention the cooler

Helps to read the whole thread before jumping on one answer...

Yep that was what my comment was aimed at ( replies #1 and 2) - and I did read the whole thread and was agreeing with your advice

[jb]

Just Mayo build up due to the cooler weather. I avoid this by removing the oil filler neck and screwing the cap direct onto the rocker cover.well worth a try.