03 Corsa - Creamy gunk in Oil Cap - Diagnosis (pics)?

Pinter75 · 1 Apr 2006 at 21:31

Hi,

My girlfriends '03 VX Corsa (still under warranty) has got creamy gunk in the oil filler cap. Now I always know this to be oil and water mixing - Head Gasket etc - but on a < 3yr old car?

It is not loosing oil or water, and temps are fine. Could be condensation? It has been very damp here lately and today was reasonably hot and sunny. I also noticed some water at the top of the dip stick.

Any ideas?

Ta.

Firestar_3x · 1 Apr 2006 at 21:32

Does the car get used for short runs all the time.

TBH its not your problem, make it the dealers problem

Pinter75 · 1 Apr 2006 at 21:34

Yes, it used to do about 22 miles a day (upto this week) now it is doing about 6!

Pinter75 · 1 Apr 2006 at 21:35

Would a possible HGF be covered under the manufacurers warranty, or will they try to pass it off as "a consumable item"?

Firestar_3x · 1 Apr 2006 at 21:40

Pinter75 said:
Would a possible HGF be covered under the manufacurers warranty, or will they try to pass it off as "a consumable item"?

At a guess they will try and fob you off, if it is HGF then its going to be expensive to fix, make sure you tell the dealer you expect this to be fixed under warranty, don't go in asking is this covered cause that way its easier for them to fob you off.

Enfield · 1 Apr 2006 at 22:22

Could just be condensation that has got to it.

cheets64 · 1 Apr 2006 at 22:37

Trust me thats HGF my sister had them same problem but that looks even worse. :eek:

She got a quote for £600 from a local grage to fix it. But she sold the car instead.

Luke · 1 Apr 2006 at 22:41

If it is being used for lots of short runs and is not losing oil or water, then it is probably not HGF.

Firestar_3x · 1 Apr 2006 at 22:45

emailiscrap said:
If it is being used for lots of short runs and is not losing oil or water, then it is probably not HGF.

Thats why i asked, only the past week it has been, so i think it is HGF.

James_N · 1 Apr 2006 at 22:47

HGF on an 03 plate car? ouch. as im un-mechanically minded, what causes headgaskets to go? and especially what causes them to go so quick? :eek:

cheets64 · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:00

Some cases lack of oil.

ajgoodfellow · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:36

Lack of coolant causing the head to overheat and warp?

s0ck · 1 Apr 2006 at 23:59

When did Rover release this model?

Firestar_3x · 2 Apr 2006 at 00:00

s0ck said:
When did Rover release this model?

Must be a badging issue on the engine quite clearly

ajgoodfellow · 2 Apr 2006 at 00:22

/Sarcastic Very funny

Dogbreath · 2 Apr 2006 at 00:32

cheets64 said:
Trust me thats HGF my sister had them same problem but that looks even worse.

You cannot possibly tell from that picture if the head gasket has gone, you get the exact same symptom from numerous short journeys or an engine running too cool.

Pinter75 · 2 Apr 2006 at 01:03

I am hoping it is just condensation. The car is little used, 22 miles every 2 days then 1 - 2 miles a day for the past week. I guess it never gets really nice and warm. the temp guage does stay halfway, and no water or oil has gone awol.

Anyhows, it will be dumped at the dealer, they had it not long ago for a busted gear change assembly.

blueboy2001 · 2 Apr 2006 at 01:30

That level of gunk looks a bit excessive for condensation to me. 22 mile trips should clear condensation from a few very short journeys.

Whats the oil on the dipstick look like? If thats showing any signs of contamination its almost certainly the head gasket gone.

Acolyte · 2 Apr 2006 at 09:36

Yeah IMO that looks like way to much gunk for "condensation", i use my car only for a few miles a day for weeks sometimes, i only ever get a really tiny amount.

Get the gargae to check it out.