scum around oil filler - urgent advice please

[deutscher]

I've just looked at a 1998 1.3 Fiesta for my son. There is a lot of emulsified whitish/yellow scum/froth around the inside of the oil filler tube. The oil on the dipstick looks fine and there's no sign of water.

Is the scum/froth just down to condensation or could there be a gasket issue?

Thanks for your help.

[Deltafox]

Any oily residue in the radiator/expansion bottle?
If not then its most likely just condensation from start/stop usage.
Start the car from cold, remove the expansion bottle pressure cap/rad cap- if water boils up/gushes out its a good indication of a blown head gasket.

[annodomini2]

its common on the ohv engine, check the header tank for HGF.

[Deutscher]

annodomini2 said:

its common on the ohv engine

Sorry, I'm being dense here.

Do you mean gasket failure is common, or condensation is common?

Thanks for your patience!

[annodomini2]

Deutscher said:

annodomini2 said: its common on the ohv engine Sorry, I'm being dense here. Do you mean gasket failure is common, or condensation is common? Thanks for your patience!

Condesation

[deutscher]

Thanks Anno.

The froth was my only worry as the car is a one owner minter, so I'm going to do the deal.

[steve_D]

deutscher said:

Thanks Anno. The froth was my only worry as the car is a one owner minter, so I'm going to do the deal.

The one owner minter description probably comes with low milage and plenty of stop start short trips.
It is this that leads to condensation due to the engine not being at temperature for long enough to shift the moisture.

Steve

[Deutscher]

steve_D said:

[The one owner minter description probably comes with low milage and plenty of stop start short trips. It is this that leads to condensation due to the engine not being at temperature for long enough to shift the moisture. Steve

Well done Sherlock Holmes!

It's only done 57,000 miles in 8 years.

Any mechanical problems due to the short trips will be worth dealing with as the car looks brand new inside and out and my son is only paying £800.

[steve_D]

If you buy it then your next task is to take off each of the crank case breather pipes and fitting to clean them out. They will most likely also be full of mayonnaise which in turn makes the condensation problem worse.

Steve

[Deutscher]

Thanks Steve. Will do.