Pale Brown Substance on base of Oil Cap

jArgHA

I did an oil and filter change on my car yesterday and noticed a light brown creamy type oil on the bottom of the oil cap, and near top of oil entry (see photos below). I am driving a 1987 E30 318i, it has the older M10 engine type (original engine). It was the first time I've ever noticed the pale brown substance on base of oil cap, and I have done numerous oil changes before.

I drive the car daily, but it goes on a lot of short trips - 3 miles into work and 3 miles back, and the journey is very stop-start as driving through Cork city. Could this be the reason, or could I have a blown gasket..? Any tips welcome!

Images:

Nissan doctor

It can be a sign of a number of things.

Most people will jump straight it with a failed headgasket....which it can be a sign of but would have to be coupled with coolant loss, engine temperature issues etc.

It can also be caused by condensation built up in engines that are driven infrequently or only on constant short trips(the likely cause in your case)

Blocked/clogged breather pipes can also cause excess build up too.

jArgHA

Thanks for the tip. I'm hoping it has nothing to do with the gasket, although you mentioned coolant loss and I am losing water from my radiator also, I find I have to top it up every week. I'm going to give the car a good long drive and see if the substance clears away.

Nissan doctor

jArgHA wrote: »

Thanks for the tip. I'm hoping it has nothing to do with the gasket, although you mentioned coolant loss and I am losing water from my radiator also, I find I have to top it up every week. I'm going to give the car a good long drive and see if the substance clears away.

As in your level drops every week or its actually leaking from the radiator itself?

Either way...that blurs the possible cause a bit:o

jArgHA

Nissan doctor wrote: »

As in your level drops every week or its actually leaking from the radiator itself?

Either way...that blurs the possible cause a bit:o

I'm not sure if it is a radiator leak or not. If the car is not driven and I check the level a few days later it seems to be the same, but when the car is driven every day after a few days/week when I check the radiator the level has dropped, sometimes fairly significantly after a long journey. I had assumed I have a radiator leak and put it on long finger until I next leave the car into the mechanic, but I guess it is not necessarily a leak in the radiator...

justme7136

I had the exact same thing there a few weeks ago, and so did a friend of mine
Just used an oil system cleaner before i changed the oil, i also just go on short runs