Head gasket?

[StuK]

Hi all, I've been offline, hibernating during the cold winter months, but took my car out for the first time this year at the weekend. It was only a short run, but afterwards I noticed some 'mayonnaise' under the filler cap. Wasn't sure whether it was a sign of head gasket problems, or just condensation from the cold winter. I wiped it out and went on another gentle but longer run today (about 2 hours). Upon returning there was a little more emulsified oil under the filler cap, not much, but definitely new. The dipstick is completely clear.

What can I do next to check? If the head gasket is on its way out I clearly want to get it fixed before I do any more miles.

Please also bear in mind I am mechanically incompetent, or at least partially challenged!Y

 

[ChasR]

You can get a sniffer test done, or check the coolant tank for the presence of hydrocarbons with an exhaust analyser. However, even this do not confirm that a HG is gone...

What colour is your coolant and when was it last changed?

EDIT: On the basis it has not been used too much I would clean the mayo out and see what happens.

 

[Lowtimer]

You really don't need to get too concerned about this yet. It is still most likely just the residue from the winter, from what you describe. If there is no sign of water in the engine oil, and it's not evidently overheating, and none of the hoses are straining at the leash looking or feeling fit to explode, then wipe it all out from the cap again and take the thing for a decent 100 mile run. Chances are you will find less new mayo next time than last, and that if you do another 50 or 60 miles the day after it will all be fine.

 

[timmyturtle]

I would do the same
Clean the mayo off
Take it for a longer run,just keeping an eye on the temperature
Most likely just the fact winter has lasted 6 months

 

[Frenchy]

6 months, still bloomin here in Cumbria ....................Grumble Grumble []

 

[944Turbo]

Yes, what lowtimer said,
fingers crossed!

 

[J4CKO]

Mine had a decent

'mayonnaise' under the filler cap. Wasn't sure

portion of Mayo on the top of the filler, cleaned it off, hasnt re-appeared since, it is the hot, damp, oily mist when the engine is running, it rises up the filler tube and cools down and forms the Mayo, I panicced and my dad said it was a feature of older cars, i.e. older designs, especially in winter, modern ones tend to have the filler on the rocker cover so it doesnt have a sort of "colling tower" and various sound deadening covers and cowls, plus modern engines might make a difference.

the immediate assumption nowadays when any emusified oil is seen is head gasket, back in the day it just meant it was cold out, a Head gasket was usually announced by vast amounts of oil and water mixing, poor running or it stopping.

 

[J4CKO]

Pulled a pipe off a mates Nova SR that was blocked with Mayo, I looked down it and said rev it, bad mistake....

 

[Veerzigzag]

I looked down it and said rev it, bad mistake

That's brilliant! But a shame not to have "before" and "after" pictures (of you Jacko, not the car...)

 

[Frenchy]

Made me chuckle Jacko[]