Octavia 1.6 (8 valve) - mayonnaise on oil filler cap

[mr_logick]

Hi everyone. My first post here... hope someone can reassure me about the following issue. I have a 2005 Octavia Classic 1.6 - this is the Mk1 with 8 valve "MPI" engine - must be one of the last ones made (registered May 2005). I got the car in October 2007 and have covered 3000 miles, bringinf its total to a v. modest 13,600 miles.

I just checked the oil level, needed to top up, then to my horror found "mayonnaise" inside the oil filler cap. There's a reasonable quantity so I'm worried. I do some very short 1 - 2 mile town trips interspersed with a couple of recent 200 mile motorway trips which I thought would have got rid of any condensation... if that's what caused it. Are there any circumstances in which such an oil / water emulsion is normal in this engine? I guess weather has been very cold & damp recently - would that contribute?

Car was second hand but is (theoretically) under Skoda warranty until May 2008... I sent off my warranty registration card when I bought it, and received reply, so if I need to get this checked out at a dealer I should hopefully be covered for disastrous engine trouble.

What do you think?

Many thanks for any suggestions that you can offer.

Andrew

[VRStu]

It is often seen when short journeys are made.

I'd wipe it off and see if it reappears.

[MAPGO]

Originally Posted by mr_logick

Hi everyone. My first post here... hope someone can reassure me about the following issue. I have a 2005 Octavia Classic 1.6 - this is the Mk1 with 8 valve "MPI" engine - must be one of the last ones made (registered May 2005). I got the car in October 2007 and have covered 3000 miles, bringinf its total to a v. modest 13,600 miles.

I just checked the oil level, needed to top up, then to my horror found "mayonnaise" inside the oil filler cap. There's a reasonable quantity so I'm worried. I do some very short 1 - 2 mile town trips interspersed with a couple of recent 200 mile motorway trips which I thought would have got rid of any condensation... if that's what caused it. Are there any circumstances in which such an oil / water emulsion is normal in this engine? I guess weather has been very cold & damp recently - would that contribute?

Car was second hand but is (theoretically) under Skoda warranty until May 2008... I sent off my warranty registration card when I bought it, and received reply, so if I need to get this checked out at a dealer I should hopefully be covered for disastrous engine trouble.

What do you think?

Many thanks for any suggestions that you can offer.

Andrew

Wouldn't go to panic mode as winter weather could be the cause.

Serious case would be a blown gasket, have you noticed any white smoke from exhaust ?

[mr_logick]

Thanks to VRStu and MAPGO for such quick replies. I wondered if it might be the short trips / winter weather combination. I'll have a good at the coolant header tank too when I get a chance in daylight hours. I'll probably consult the local dealer too, as that won't cost anything!

Haven't noticed any smoke / steam but will have a proper look, perhaps with an assistant!

Thanks again....

[vwescapee]

Hi,
I am sure you have nothing to worry about. You car engine is failing to get to a normal working temperatures to burn off the condensation in the head. Short journeys are the problem. As the above reply suggests at worse it is the head gasket. This is where collant from the engine leaks across to the cylinders from a collant channel due to the material gasket breaking down. When this happens you will see the collant being used and smoke from the exhaust.The car will overheat and break down.
A bit of emulsified oil in the oil filler cap is normal for your type of driving. Try and give it a good run once or twice a week, not only will it do the engine good but the battery too!!

[mr_logick]

Originally Posted by vwescapee

Hi,
I am sure you have nothing to worry about. You car engine is failing to get to a normal working temperatures to burn off the condensation in the head. Short journeys are the problem. As the above reply suggests at worse it is the head gasket. This is where collant from the engine leaks across to the cylinders from a collant channel due to the material gasket breaking down. When this happens you will see the collant being used and smoke from the exhaust.The car will overheat and break down.
A bit of emulsified oil in the oil filler cap is normal for your type of driving. Try and give it a good run once or twice a week, not only will it do the engine good but the battery too!!

Thanks for that. The reason for such short journeys is because of the weather! I'm in the enviable position of being within walking distance of work but when I crawl out of bed and emerge from the house into the near-constant rain it's tempting to get into the car instead. Saving the car for longer trips would thus benefit the engine, battery and me... 'cos I'm such a lazy git and could use the exercise!

Digressing slightly - anyone know the typical rate of oil usage for this engine? I guess it would be variable but I know some engines characteristically use more than others. It amazes me how many friends never check theirs between annual services!!

[KenONeill]

Ref the oil consumption, it's very variable according to my experience to official reports; anything from pretty much nil up to about 1l every 4_000 miles. Personally I think that the higher oil consumption rates are associated with the extended oil change (variable) service regimes.

[AwesomeSarah]

Immulsification its called (but could be bad spelling) and as has been said it is down to short journeys
But as has been said , clean it up and keep an eye on things
Sarah

[KenONeill]

Emulsification Sarah, from "emulsion", like in the paints.

[VRSPhil]

If you are worried, you can get a chemical test done on the coolant which will tell you if it's been in contact with something it shouldn't (i'm no 100% sure on the in's and out's of it). I'm sure someone else would be able to expand/clarify. My personal view at this stage would be the same as above... clean it off and keep an eye on it, along with the coolant level.

[mr_logick]

Thanks to all for the reassuring replies.

Another thing which I completely forgot to mention is that I get quite a lot of water from the exhaust following a cold start - it runs out sufficiently to form quite a puddle on the ground. Is this also normal?

That's enough paranoia for now.....

Andrew

[AwesomeSarah]

Originally Posted by KenONeill

Emulsification Sarah, from "emulsion", like in the paints.

Sarah

[VRSPhil]

Originally Posted by mr_logick

Thanks to all for the reassuring replies.

Another thing which I completely forgot to mention is that I get quite a lot of water from the exhaust following a cold start - it runs out sufficiently to form quite a puddle on the ground. Is this also normal?

That's enough paranoia for now.....

Andrew

In this weather... yes. Especially when you are doing short journeys, you will never get the exhaust properly up to temperature to dry it out thoroughly. Again, it’s worth checking the coolant… with that much water coming out of the exhaust, the coolant level would drop very quickly if it was that. Mine steams/dribbles water a lot in the mornings at the moment. I find I can drive to work (50 miles), park up for 10 minutes and then it will steam again when I restart. I was quite worried when I first got the car but now I’m used to it.

[fordfan]

The emulsified oil and the water in the exhaust are normal, for every gallon of petrol burnt you get a gallon of water. We messed up our MOT emissions tester some months back when testing a Renault Laguna, the back box filled with water and the machine sucked it in, never mind - cost us the best part of £10000 for a new one.

If you're feeling brave you could try the taste test, dip your finger in the water and touch it on the tip of your tongue, if it tastes sweet then it contains anti-freeze - mind you I don't know what G12 tastes like, and you do it at your own risk.

[iCraig]

Again I agree with people above its down to the weather and short journeys. I notice my engine doesn't get above a quarter up the temp guage in this weather, and I have abit of mayo under the cap.

I used to have this 'problem' on an air cooled bike in the winter, and I knew on that it wasn't an issue.

If your truely worried then as above get it tested.

[sebulbus]

Originally Posted by fordfan

I don't know what G12 tastes like, and you do it at your own risk.

Can also have a bittering agent added so that pets and kids dont ingest any. This is mostly the case with the stuff you buy to top up. I never been curious enough to taste the one that's actually in the engine.

Just remember to rinse mouth with plenty of water in case you try. It's not that scary.

[r.carder]

My car is a 2.0 8v and has always had the yellow sludge on the oil filler cap during winter.
I wipe it off every two weeks and give the cap a good shake. I am now upto 87000 miles with no problem


regards Roger

[mr_logick]

Originally Posted by r.carder

My car is a 2.0 8v and has always had the yellow sludge on the oil filler cap during winter.
I wipe it off every two weeks and give the cap a good shake. I am now upto 87000 miles with no problem


regards Roger

Ahh.... this is reassuring stuff. Thanks for your contribution.

Andrew