Condensation in Oil, FIX?

[JP3670]

While topping off with 8oz of Mobil 1 0w40, after 3500 miles, I noticed the yellow mayo like sludge on the oil fill tube and cap. My 2002 with 22,500 miles gets only short 12 mile/20min. runs twice a day M-Fri. in stop and go traffic. Will switching to a different approved brand of oil help eliminate/reduce the condensation or is my cure only more frequent oil changes and longer times within operating temp?

Thanks!

[carsareart]

since winter has set in mine is doing the same. I am running Castor Oil Syntec 5w50 on a fresh oil change. I am thinking my car never quite warms up. I plan on cleaning the mess out and watching the fluid levels very closely.

Keep me posted on how yours is doing.

Edited January 6, 2009 by carsareart

[rb101]

Driving it more often and for longer will help reduce that problem. When I picked mine up, it had the same spooge in the filler tube. Now that it gets driven 50 miles a day 5 days a week, problem gone.

[RFM]

Pretty normal phenomenon, especially in cold climates and short driving cycles. The same symptoms in the expansion cool water tank are more problematic.

[Jon996]

Just an additional confirmation. I was kind of freaked when I saw this first too. Try to take a long drive or two and it essentially takes care of itself. (BTW, Mobil 1 0W40 here too)

[carsareart]

Well then that settles it, I will just have to go for a longer drive......Darn it Honey, I have to do it for the car.........

Sounds good to me.

[carsareart]

I am glad to hear that I was not the only one having this problem. I was looking at the design of the oil fill tube and thought it might not be getting hot enough. Thanks for the information.

Edited January 7, 2009 by carsareart

[RFM]

The oil filler cap and tube are the coolest spots on the M96 engine, where the oil vapours condensate spontaneously, with cold temperatures and/or short drive cycles as you stated.

[LJPete]

I just did an oil change and noticed some of that stuff in my oil fill tube. Not bad but a bit. Odd thing is when I drive my 996, I drive it for 30 mins +. I did note that it's only recently that this stuff shown up, didn't happen in the summer months with the same driving patterns.

I'm wondering if I should be concerned?

[chipmunk]

I just did an oil change and noticed some of that stuff in my oil fill tube. Not bad but a bit. Odd thing is when I drive my 996, I drive it for 30 mins +. I did note that it's only recently that this stuff shown up, didn't happen in the summer months with the same driving patterns.

I'm wondering if I should be concerned?

I have a 2002 996 with 55K miles (daily driver with 70 miles/day) and just noticed the same thing with the oil fill tube while topping off the oil this morning - a bit of sludge around the opening and on the filler cap. I checked the coolant and there is no oil mixing at this point. The last couple of days a cloud of white smoke appears after a cold start up.

I am too wondering if I need to be concerned?

[RFM]

No need to be concerned about that, the white smoke after a cold start is vapour, normal in Dublin freezing temperatures conditions IMHO.

[perucho]

No need to be concerned about that, the white smoke after a cold start is vapour, normal in Dublin freezing temperatures conditions IMHO.

Dublin, California? Not so cold. Today it was 72 deg F. Although it was probably 40 this morning. Still, not too cold for January. ;)

[RFM]

Correct, i had Dublin Ireland in my mind :oops:

[chipmunk]

It has been quite warm here in Dublin, CA last few days and I did not notice any smoking at start up. I bought this car in March 2008, so it's my first winter with my babe. I guess I am a bit paranoid after reading all the posts on blown motors (knock on wood). Thank you RFM and perucho for your responses.

Edited January 15, 2009 by chipmunk

[0luke1]

I've got it too - new (to me) 03 with 17K miles.

Looks like mayo. Tried it with some turkey on rye. Not bad.