997 Oil Filler cap gunk!

[Deano997]

Hi,
I have a 997 C2s (41,000 miles)and have topped up the oil level this weekend and have been confronted with this mess. Is this normal? This hasnt happened before. The car is booked in to Porsche tomorrow as the extended warranty runs out on Saturday!

[toohuge]

I cannot comment specifically on Porsche but....

Cars that have long oil filler channels can build this gunk at the top from condensation especially with lots of short runs.

Or, it is a classic sign of a failing head gasket, as it's under warranty bring it to their attention.

Chris

[toohuge]

I cannot comment specifically on Porsche but....

Cars that have long oil filler channels can build this gunk at the top from condensation especially with lots of short runs.

Or, it is a classic sign of a failing head gasket, as it's under warranty bring it to their attention.

Chris

[anonymous-user]

Common mayo - and probably normal - but that is quite a lot. Do you do mostly short journeys?

[R26Andy]

Relatively normal in my experience. I`d be more concerned with mayo on the dipstick but not possible to check on a 997.

[Deano997]

Yes, mainly a couple of miles to the office and back, with a weekly additional run for pleasure. Would this cause any issues re the engine?

[WindyMiller67]

If you've not changed your daily routine (short journeys) and, as you say, it's not done it before, I'd be concerned about a head gasket and as suggested, bring to your stealer's attention before the 111 point check. Please let us know the outcome!

[Shurv]

Mayo is perfectly normal, short journeys are the main culprit. Also, the design of the filler where the last bit of oil just sits in the tube leads to the creation of mayo. The short answer is to use it more, and to clean out the filler frequently. Unlikely you have a problem with your car.

[Magic919]

Looks normal to me. Should improve when weather warms up.

[Deano997]

Thanks gents, I will see what the dealer says.

[toohuge]

Lots of short journeys can cause oil issues with condensation and fuel mixing in, then when you do a long drive some of the oil can burn off rather rapidly.

Modern oils are better at preventing this, but it is worth considering if you are only travelling a few miles each day.

Glad the gunk is a common issue on the 997 - good to know!

Chris

[Deano997]

Thanks gents. Porsche have said the car needs a new oil separator. I need to let them have the car by Saturday and they will drop the engine and replace the part under warranty but they have no courtesy cars available and they want my car for a week! Thats what 5 years loyalty to one dealership buys you!

[ilduce]

Deano997 said:

Thanks gents. Porsche have said the car needs a new oil separator. I need to let them have the car by Saturday and they will drop the engine and replace the part under warranty but they have no courtesy cars available and they want my car for a week! Thats what 5 years loyalty to one dealership buys you!

Hmmm... I think if your AOS was broken, you'd have difficulty removing the oil cap with the engine running and you'd have a lot of white smoke pouring out of the back.

Read this article anyway:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-9...

[anonymous-user]

toohuge said:

Lots of short journeys can cause oil issues with condensation and fuel mixing in, then when you do a long drive some of the oil can burn off rather rapidly.

Modern oils are better at preventing this, but it is worth considering if you are only travelling a few miles each day.

Glad the gunk is a common issue on the 997 - good to know!

Chris

It's a common issue but it's not 'normal' as some have said. Too many short journeys and not frequent enough oil changes are two of the contributing factors.

Avoid using the car for short journeys and change the oil frequently and you won't see the gunk at all. Or various other issues that can be aggravated by the same factors.

[Rockster]

Deano997 said:

Thanks gents. Porsche have said the car needs a new oil separator. I need to let them have the car by Saturday and they will drop the engine and replace the part under warranty but they have no courtesy cars available and they want my car for a week! Thats what 5 years loyalty to one dealership buys you!

AOS? I'm not sure I agree with the diagnosis.

As others have pointed out your usage of your car is very likely the culprit. I've seen similar stuff in my Turbo's oil filler tube though not that much, not by a long shot.

But if the car is under warranty and the OPC wants to replace the AOS under warranty I'd not stand in its way.

My advice is once you get the car back either find a longer route to work or arrange to drive the car more on weekends. If you can't/won't do these things then seriously consider much more frequent oil/filter services. If you can't avoid using the car in a way that causes this gunky build up or can't use the car in a way that removes this gunk before it builds up to the level in the picture all you can do is remove the oil that has that water in it before the water turns into acid and starts eating the engine from the inside out.

BTW, if you suspect or at any rate if someone suspects a head gasket leak or some other engine coolant system leak have a sample of the oil analyzed. Among other things this tests for the presence of anti-freeze compounds in the oil. If any are found the engine has an internal coolant leak (head gasket or ?) and this needs to be found and fixed pronto.

[Deano997]

Brilliant, I will ask Porsche if they will do this. Thanks for all the comments gents.

[R26Andy]

This is an aos problem....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKmjatZmUo0

[Tydeides]

TADTS ...

[anonymous-user]

Tydeides said:

TADTS ...

NTD.......

[mollytherocker]

REALIST123 said:

Tydeides said:

TADTS ...

NTD.......

WTFAYOA?