Foamy Oil

[R8nan]

Just topping up oil and when I removed the oil cap noticed that the inside of the tube was coated with something that looked like cappuccino foam. I took her out at the weekend for the first time in three months and was wondering if this could be the reason or could it be something more serious.

[Extra 300 Driver]

It could be two things, I think.

If the car has been left for a while, in this case three months, you can have a build up of condensation inside the engine. This reacts with the oil and produces this foam. On my Mini I would just run the engine until warm drain the oil and refill with fresh. If I were you I would drain the oil cold, refill with fresh run until up to temperature and drain and refill again.

It could also be the head gasket gone, but I doubt that. Check the water and see if there is any oil in it.

In future, if you’re not going to use the car at least run it once a week or so.

[gazzab]

I understand that cerbs can get milky stuff but I would be v careful ie is coolant disappearing, once cleaned up did the gunk return etc.....
HEad gaskets going are rare.
Use your car more !!

[nick cooper]

Had the same thing with mine when i was buying it, car had been stood for a bit and after its first run got the same white sludge, i checked it out with ian from middlewich mot and he said there shouldent be any probs as he had seen it before in other cars. Had car 3 weeks now and the white stuff has never come back. Hope yours is the same, sounds identical. Cheers Nick.

[RUSSELLM]

From experience, if one of your gaskets has gone, cracked head, cracked block etc, your likely to have overheating problens, steam coming from one exhaust pipe etc.

As said keep your eye on your fluid levels, if the oil on the dip stick is gungy it's a different matter. The bit of gunk that stays by the filler cap, I wouldn't worry about.

[R8nan]

I checked coolant it needed topped up half pint (no oil). I am going to drain the oil and refill fingers crossed.