Oil Cheese
Author
Discussion

$nake eye$

Original Poster:

411 posts

232 months

Sunday 25th May 2008
quotequote all
Hi,

I drive an mk4 golf 2.0.
The Oil light came on the dash last week, so i went to top it up...

[URL=http://imageshack.us][/URL]

There was quite a lot of this white/yellow subsance around the seal. What is this? is it normal or does it just mean the oil should be changed rather than just topped up.

Thanks

Edited by $nake eye$ on Sunday 25th May 14:45


Edited by $nake eye$ on Sunday 25th May 14:47

nicktowe

46,714 posts

254 months

Sunday 25th May 2008
quotequote all
You could have a problem, of water in the oil, but most likely its just caiused by condensation around the cap emulsifying with the oil.

When was the oil last changed? How many miles and months ago?

Its best to check the oilregularly rather than rely on the light. Was the light an oil level light or an oil pressure light. The former is if I remember corectly ornage, the oil pressure is red. If the red one comes on stop immediately. And don't restart the engine until the problem is rectified

Fourmotion

1,032 posts

250 months

Sunday 25th May 2008
quotequote all
Does the dipstick also have the substance on it? If so then it could be your head gasket.

$nake eye$

Original Poster:

411 posts

232 months

Sunday 25th May 2008
quotequote all
Thanks Nick,

It was the yellow light that came on.

It was serviced a few months ago, so i presume it was changed, which was probably 1500/2000 miles ago.

Also, oil on the dipstick looked fine, no yellowy brown on it.

Edited by $nake eye$ on Sunday 25th May 17:21

nicktowe

46,714 posts

254 months

Sunday 25th May 2008
quotequote all
[quote=$nake eye$]Thanks Nick,

It was the yellow light that came on.

It was serviced a few months ago, so i presume it was changed, which was probably 1500/2000 miles ago.

Also, oil on the dipstick looked fine, no yellowy brown on it.

Edited by $nake eye$ on Sunday 25th May 17:21

[/quote]

Sounds like condensation then, i would wipe it off the filler cap, and check frequently. Also check thatthere is no oil contamination in the coolant in the expansion tank

Toady1

1,622 posts

254 months

Monday 26th May 2008
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sounds like you do lots of short journeys. Isnt a problem, just top the oil up and clean the milky stuff off.

$nake eye$

Original Poster:

411 posts

232 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
True, work is a 15 min commute. Ill clean the cap, and keep it topped up! hopefully it wont get any worse

Thanks for the advice guys

Dr G

15,987 posts

272 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
quotequote all
Bit of an Italian tune up might not hurt either, give it a good long long run on the motorway using 4th instead of 5th for a bit.

darkyoung1000

2,485 posts

226 months

Saturday 31st May 2008
quotequote all
Dr G said:
Bit of an Italian tune up might not hurt either, give it a good long long run on the motorway using 4th instead of 5th for a bit.
I'll second that. Take it out for a gentle workout and get the engine nice and hot.
Only if you start to see water vapour coming out of your exhaust/trouble starting/loss of power/all of the above do you need to start worrying.

Cheers,
Tom