Mercedes 1.3 CLA engine

[Fletch76]

I have recently had a intermitent EML come on and found a creamy residue under oiler filler cap. Booked in at Mercedes main dealer and told this is a characteristic of the engine. To me this is oil emulsion due to water vapour. Cylinder head checked all OK. Has anybody else had this issue? 2022 CLA 200 Shooting Brake 1.3l petrol.

[Benson11]

Its not uncommon and shouldn't be an immediate cause for alarm assuming the vehicle isn't using coolant or oil.

Did they find an alternative root cause for the misfire?

[Fletch76]

No misfire on the engine and EML has not been back on. I was just concerned as the car will soon be out of warranty. I felt i was being fobbed of by Mercedes as moisture in an engine should not be there??.
Thanks for the reply.

[BEARDYB0Y]

How many miles are on the car? Do you do a lot of short journeys?

Somtimes if the car is used a lot without it getting properly warmed through the small amounts of vapour within the engine can make the cap look a little cheesy.

Ive not seen a 1.3 engine with head gasket failure before so its unlikely to be that. Ive seen that engine do >30k miles a year without issue. Even when the car around it looks beaten up!

[Fletch76]

18000 miles on clock and only short journeys on a daily basis of 7miles to and from work.

[itcaptainslow]

Fletch76 said:

18000 miles on clock and only short journeys on a daily basis of 7miles to and from work.

There’s your answer - the oil isn’t getting anywhere near operating temperature to burn off the condensation in it, especially at this time of year.

The car needs a lengthly motorway run, preferably with some exercising at higher revs when properly up to temperature, and that goo should disappear.

With your usage pattern, I’d strongly suggest looking at whatever Merc’s arduous use service schedule is, and applying that.

[BunkMoreland]

Classic Renault engine!