I popped open my oil cap today. I noticed that there was a creamy color like stuff on the bottom of the cap. I just did a oil changed last week, and i notice the same thing on the oil cap, but the oil i drained looked fine.(looks normal). just wondering if anyone knows whats causing this creamy like color on the oil cap? is it moisture? please help. 01 e430
Did you wipe the stuff out of the cap last week? If so that would be a relatively fast time for it to recur.
Do you do a lot of short-trip driving? Typically the creamy-color goo indicates moisture, but if you do a lot of short-trip driving that is not unusual.
On the other hand, if you don't do a lot of short-trip driving, then you might have a different issue. I don't want to speculate, but if that's the case have your cooling system pressure-tested and make sure they do it with the engine both cold and hot.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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Vehicle: 2001 E430 Sport in Desert Silver and 2002 C320 Sport Wagon in Arctic White
Location: Germantown, Maryland
Posts: 1,510
When I first purchased my car I saw the same thing under my oil cap I cleaned it off and have not seen it come back. It was a the Dealer for 1 week before I picked her up so it could have been the short drive issue and moisture.
I did wiped it off the last time. I do, do a lot of short trip driving. I only drive to work, from fri to sun about 20 miles round trip each day. and on mon to thurs i don't really drive it at all. maybe a only10 miles. the coolant had to be refill this morning, due malfunction like came on. checked the dipstick and oil is fine. so what do you think gregs210?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregs210
Hey, bbb.
Did you wipe the stuff out of the cap last week? If so that would be a relatively fast time for it to recur.
Do you do a lot of short-trip driving? Typically the creamy-color goo indicates moisture, but if you do a lot of short-trip driving that is not unusual.
On the other hand, if you don't do a lot of short-trip driving, then you might have a different issue. I don't want to speculate, but if that's the case have your cooling system pressure-tested and make sure they do it with the engine both cold and hot.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
Last edited by BiGbOdYbEnZ430 : 02-19-2007 at 06:26 PM.
Do you do a lot of short-trip driving? Typically the creamy-color goo indicates moisture, but if you do a lot of short-trip driving that is not unusual.
Bingo........this is something I see all the time and every case is a short trip driver. Moisture in the oil that doesn't ever get heated up enough to exaporate out accumulates under the cap and looks like creamy sludge crap.
Bingo........this is something I see all the time and every case is a short trip driver. Moisture in the oil that doesn't ever get heated up enough to exaporate out accumulates under the cap and looks like creamy sludge crap.
For short trip driving it is ineviteble (SP???). The engine never gets hot enough to burn out the moisture. There really isn't much you can do cept put that baby on the interstate for a little while every so often and get that oil HOT.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,363
The excess gasoline never burns out of the oil in this situation either (a lot of short trips). I doubt that is causing the goo, but is something to keep in mind. Take that baby up to 70-80 MPH ocassionally, and get the engine up to 80 C. I think your M-B will thank you for it
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I did wiped it off the last time. I do, do a lot of short trip driving. I only drive to work, from fri to sun about 20 miles round trip each day. and on mon to thurs i don't really drive it at all. maybe a only10 miles. the coolant had to be refill this morning, due malfunction like came on. checked the dipstick and oil is fine. so what do you think gregs210?
YIKES! Everyone else seems to be missing the crucial point in your reply.
If you're having to add coolant that's a bad sign. Get it in and get it pressure tested ASAP. You may have a cracked head/block or a bad head gasket, either way you need to find out before you do serious damage to the engine.
Help....... 
I cleaned it off and have not seen it come back. It was a the Dealer for 1 week before I picked her up so it could have been the short drive issue and moisture. 
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