3.0i cream on dipstick

[roger chatfield]

Just checked the oil on my 52 plate 3.0i and I noticed some cream on the dip stick, also there is some under the oil filler cap.

I'm not losing any water so I assume it's not the head gasket and the car runs fine, is this normal?? anyone else have a similar problem??

Rog.

[Don Coffey]

My first thought was head gasket too. What colour is the cream?

Don

[Pope]

Do you just do short journeys.??

If you do, it could be that your engine is not getting up to temp. and the cream could just be oil and water emulsion.

[roger chatfield]

Whiteish colour, basically water and oil emulsification.

Yes, all short trips, 5 miles max.

Just had a thought, when I bought it (about 2 mths ago) I noticed that it ran cold so I changed the thermostat and it's been fine since. I wonder if the cold running had been a long time problem, then engine would never get hot and maybe that has caused the emulsification... just an idea.

Rog.

[Horizon]

It's a common problem on the straight six petrol engine when its only being used for short journeys, also if your stat was faulty this would multiply the problem. I would change the oil and filter and monitor the oil condition.
As you only do short journeys the oil isn't burning off the moisture.
Also when behind some cars that only do short trips, you will see water dripping from the tailpipes, this causes very low mileage cars to perforate the silencer boxes, due to not burning off the moisture in the exhaust.
Do you wear a flat cap when driving to the shops? As this is a cause too ) )

[X Box]

Had a couple of 3 litre petrols in the past and both did this if I inflicted short journeys (ie school run) on them.

[AW8]

Mayo as described quite common on M54 3.0i if used for short trips only & left in cold. I have seen it on a few cars with this engine & they light use or cars that had been stood.

I'd wipe muck off dipstsick as best able so as to ensure level all good then I would take it for a decent and long run if I were you.

Changing oil, (& in between intervals in future), might be sensible as could be ensuring breather/PCV pipework all good. If you cause change of  breather there is a cold climate one for yours.

I doubt head gasket has gone but by all means check colour of coolant or for evidence of coolant loss. If that's the issue it won't run beautifully for sure & you can maybe expect to see a vapour trail behind the car.

Excess moisture & condensation not good.........Cars sulk if they don't get warmed up & cobwebs blown away, (I read somewhere it can take 30 mins for everything to warm to optimum operating temp).

I am not advocating starting from cold and thrashing it......Car needs to warm up & then have a good run & repeat same. Sure there's a fuel cost issue but aim is to have a car that's in decent health.

If in doubt take it to a garage but they might look to relieve of funds.

HTH 

[AW8]

[quote="Horizon"]
Do you wear a flat cap when driving to the shops? As this is a cause too ) )
[/quote]

)

[Smeeagain]

I'd change the breather (if not already done), and get an oil/filter change but give it a go with a flushing oil as part of that process. Then bring the car up to temperature, then take it for a good long run on motorway, and give it a bit of welly up/down the gears. When it has cooled then inspect the oil. If there is still some cream it may need another oil change to get everything out and repeat the process. Then just keep an eye on it but given you do short runs expect it to come back (but safe in the knowledge that it is not the head gasket)

Cheers

Smee