Emulsification/mayonnaise under the oil filler cap

[karen_karen]

Car:

Mark 4 Golf 2 litre GTI

X reg (2001)

Symptoms:

I checked the oil (after not checking it for about 2 months) and there was a lot of emulsification/mayonnaise under the oil filler cap. The oil was also low (although I’m told VW’s and Audi’s use more than the average car). Further investigation showed the emulsification in the breather pipe. I have cleaned all this out. There was also a small amount of mayonnaise on the dip stick which I have noticed more recently.

I mainly use the car for a 10 minute drive to/from work each day. In the 2 months I did not check the oil I probably went on about 4 long drives (about 3 hours each journey). These runs obviously did not clear the mayonnaise out.

I know this is a sign of a blowing/blown head gasket but I’ve just carried out a cylinder head combustion leak block test to check if this is the cause:

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gasket_or_combustion_leak_test.htm

(available in the UK on ebay for £30)

I recommend anyone who is worried their head gasket is blowing/blown does this test. It only costs £30 for the kit and you get multiple uses, it’s also extremely easy to use. My local garage said they charge £25 to carry out the test and obviously you can’t see them do it so have no guarantees they are not going to lie to get you to pay hundreds of pounds for a new head gasket you don’t even need.

The test liquid did not change colour meaning there is not a combustion leak/blown head gasket.

So now I do not know what could be wrong with the car. Water is somehow getting in although I don’t know where from because I have not noticed the coolant level decreasing.

I am going to do an oil change and flush it all out.

Has anyone had a similar problem or can help me? I know it could be condensation because of the short journeys and because it’s winter but there is a lot of water as can be seen in the pictures below:

Oil filler not cleaned:

Oil filler not cleaned:

Oil filler not cleaned:

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Oil filler not cleaned:

The oil filler once i'd cleaned it out before my 5-10 minute journey home:

After my short journey home:

After my short journey home:

Thanks everyone

Karen

[petsy]

Looks like cold weather emulsification to me that is exacerbated be your short trips.

What oil do you use in the car?

[cruiser647]

10 minutes trips in a car are terrible for it. 10 minutes trips in any car will cause the mayonnaise to appear.

Either drive it for longer each time OR take it for more long trips when you can, so it properly warms up.

And check the oil more regular if you carry on making such short trips.

If I were you, I'd change the way I use the car and either get the bus or cycle/walk to work

[Cameo]

The symptoms you describe are normal for the Vw 2.0 engine, I had the same with a New Beatle. As others have said it's probably exacerbated by the cold weather and short trips. I'm sure it's been discussed before on the forum, have a search+++