Gunk under the filler cap - Boxster

[Talksteer]

Went to have a look at a gen 2 Boxster S today and noticed the following under the oil filler cap. Looks a little similar to images of head gasket failure.

Anything to worry about or do they all do that.

[HoHoHo]

Nothing to sorry about at all, not head gasket failure

Take it for a good thrashing and it will disappear.

[EricE]

That is most likely just from condensation that collects on the filler cap during short distance drives and/or cold weather and forms an emulsion.
I would keep an eye on it, it's nothing to be worried about unless there's drastically more emulsion on the filler cap the next time you check.

[skeeterm5]

Looks exactly the same as I see on one of my classic cars which does very few miles and is, as said, condensation.

S

[Rockster]

The good news is these engines do not suffer from head gasket failure. That is it is quite rare. The bad news is what is more common is a crack in the head.

However, what you are seeing is just normal condensation. That area is part of the engine crankcase atmosphere and it is the coolest place in this atmosphere so any water vapor in the crankcase fumes, and there is quite a bit of water, will condense there and in doing so capture some oil vapor and that muck is what you get. I've seen pics of it much worse than that.

If you cannot drive the car around enough to get the engine hot enough the radiator fans come on -- or you drive with the A/C on and if you have to to keep the car windows free of misting/fogging you have to -- this means water builds up in the oil and you should consider more frequent oil/filter changes.

When I had my Boxster's oil analyzed at around 4K miles after I bought the car (new) the oil had 7% water in it. I settled on 5K mile oil/filter services and the engine's been fine ever since.

[Huskyman]

I would say that this is condensation as well. We had a brand new 2001 boxster S in the family and it used to do this. It's an excuse to take it for a nice long drive to get rid of this ;-)

[Johnniem]

Got this too OP. Haven't worried about it as I had done quite a few short journeys where it only just got to running temp but will definitely check it again next time I am out and after a good run to get her hot and racy!