Recently I've noticed the underside of my oil fill cap is milky. Could this be the begining of a head gasket problem? The oil itself appears clean and clear after 2000 miles (Mobile 1).
It has been cold and rainy for days so I considered possible condensation or a leaky cap. I swapped out the cap with no change.
Engine at 157,000.
Any body else experience this milky cap or am I screwed?
All input is appreciated.

 

It is normal. The adapter that connects to the cam cover sticking out in the open is what causes this. For peace of mind check your oil more often to see if any of it appears on the dipstick.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Thanks that puts my mind at ease.
As for the oil I check it constantly and keep it at the full mark and it does look good. Remarkably good for 157,000.
I considered loosening the drain first thing in the morning to see what was on the bottom but with your reply and the fact that the resovoir is still topped, I'll just keep an eye on it.
Bye the way I did notice the same film in the filler neck.
Thanks again.

 

The engine is'nt warming up enough to burn off the condensation. Try making longer trips to allow the engine to build enough heat to get rid of the mosture.

 

T-birds right- I had the same thing on my '98, and my mechanic (who is a dyed in the wool Ford man) stated the same thing- to short a trips causing condinsation. Ran a 800 mile trip to Maine and back, no milky stuff. Back around town, with the 10 minute trips, milks back.

 

heh!.

Seems this question comes up every year when the weather turns cooler.....

Steve

 

I've taken to blocking my rad with cardboard to give the engine a prayer of building any heat(regular-25 to-35C five months of the year!).

 

I had an F100 w/ a straight six that always did the same in cold weather. I did the same as T-bird and covered the upper half of the radiator hoping that it would divert most of the cold air from going around the valve cover and upper part of the engine. It did reduce the milky stuff some but a longer trip was still better. If your PCV vale is working I dont think that the milky residue will do any damage.

Good luck.

 

mine (1998) has the same milky stuff around the cap, its a good thing that im not the only one with this prob. as long as its not bad i guess its ok ,just clean it from time to time till spring gets here. if its condensation ,what makes it that color?:santa:

 

Probably enough condensated moisture mixes in with the oil so that once the oil heats up, the water boils off carrying some emulsified oil with it.