Head Gasket Problem ???

[eldan65]

Hi there have recently purchased a Felicia 1.3 Lxi With the MPI engine in it. The timing chain is very noisey so have been in touch with my local dealer to have it replaced at a cost of £280. Which Im happy with.
However I have one other problem that I want to look at before I have the timing chain done.
The underside of the oil filler cap is collecting a creamy coloured substance & Im not sure if its just caused by condensation or if the head gasket is going. There is no lose in coolant fluid & she drives very nicely but Im not sure what this problem is.
Has anybody out there experianced this problem & if so can you please let me know the cause so I can solve it ???
Many thanks
Len

[Tom_vRS]

I'm pretty sure the oil filler cap is part of the breather system.

Regardless, if you do lots of short journeys then this is perfectly normal. Give it a wipe out and go for a long drive, see if its still there.

Is there eveidence of oil in the header tank? If not you are probably ok.

[ugluk]

I would guess its been stood a lot or used for short journeys condensation build up is quite common wipe it off give it a good long drive and see if it returns.

[ugluk]

beaten to the button witht he same advice

[TeflonTom]

it may have had the head gasket replaced previously, but the cap wasn't cleaned

[eldan65]

Thanks for the advice. Yes it has been stood for a month prior to me buying it & I have yet to do a long journey in her.
Will take her out this weekend & let you know the result.
Again many thanks
Len

[pinkskud]

Originally Posted by ugluk

beaten to the button witht he same advice

now you know how it feels.

[biggav]

i had a similar problem with my 98 skody felicia 1.3L. i couldnt see any oil in the coolant and no water in the oil but when i removed the rocker cover. The inside top was coated in thick white slime so i cleaned it all off and its been fine ever since, still get a bit of condesation in the filler cap but no slime now. i suspect the breather from the carb is blocked so i will replace that at weekend cos the other is fine...BigGav..

[BiGRUD]

I noticed it on most of the Felica's I looked at recently. I've also had this as well on other cars I've owned in the past.

It's basically condensation in the oil due to short journeys and not allowing the engine time to warm up properly . . . I think.

Try taking off the air filter and check all the breather pipes are clear. Change the oil and filter and give a blast down the motorway. Should clear things up and get rid of any excess water that's left.

Good luck.