[Audi A3/S3] White sludge around oil filler cap

[Guest slittley]

I noticed today that there is a mayonnaise-looking pale brown sludge that has accumulated around the inside of the oil filler cap. The oil on the dipstick looks clean however.

Recently over the past few months, my driving has changed from doing 20 mile journeys to doing 5-6 mile journeys. Does the reduced journey length contribute to the formation of the emulsified oil or is it more likely to be a head gasket problem?

I have spoken to the garage and they told me not to worry about it saying that it's normal but I'm not convinced.

Steve

[Mook]

Short journeys lead to condensation build up in the rocker cover. The water mixes with the oil on the filler cap, forming some Hellman's finest.

Nothing to worry about.

Clean it off, then take the car for a good 50 mile/1 hour run, then check again

[gixxer600k4]

as said above, its just a gradual build up from short journeys, jump on motorway for a bit and then some twisties on way back n all should be ok. some cars get this a lot and very often and its a very thick build up and that is usually a sign that the head gasget might have gone!

[TheKing]

Head Gasket? get engine compression checked from a garage

[nik patel]

Just sounds like condensation, clean the gunk, and take it on the motorway for a cruise!

[paul130TDI]

Hi Mate,

just came across your message while searching on the forum for the same thing you have mentioned. I posted a post just like yours on the GTI section.

Just wondering how you have gotten on, did you get it checked out and or has it gotten any worse?

My cars warrenty runs out in a few months so if there is any problems associated with the sludge you mention ill be giving them a call.

i too am doing very short runs to and from work and to be honest i do think thats the cause. After a good blast it is pretty much cleared, although one short trip and its all back again.

Cheers

paul

[alexc]

Short journeys can lead to the mayo under the cap. If it were a headgasket issue then you'd be slowly losing water and seeing the occassional white puffs of smoke (steam) from the exhaust. If the car is otherwise running fine with no loss of fluids and no smoking then you should be fine.

Alex

[Milo]

My brother has just sent me this picture from his 2007/07 Leon FR (2.0TFSI)

Oil on the dipstick was OK, he reckons the expansion tank is slightly off the max but may well have been beforehand.

The car doesn't do many miles, usually 13 miles to work and then 13 miles back.

I reckon it's just condensation?

What d'you reckon? Clean the gunk, top the water up and go for a good hoon?

Edited January 22, 2010 by Milo

[davidpenman]

Milo - any more news on the Leon?

I have a 2007 S3 and noticed a tiny bit of gunk last week (much less than in your picture). Thing is, I do a 26 mile journey each way to work and no short journeys! Car runs fine and coolant is still the clear pink colour and dipstick is clean.

I cleaned the very small amount of the oil cap at lunchtime today and drove home 26 miles tonight. I took the cap off as soon as I got home and there's a tiny bit more on there?

[Milo]

He's cleaned it up about 3 times now but it keeps coming back even after a good run. It's going in for an early service this month before the warranty runs out in March so it'll get new oil/filter. Pretty sure it's not a head gasket but will ask them to do a compression test while it's in.