Condensation in the oil filler tube

[944cabby]

Since the winter has set in it's fair to say that i haven't used my cab a great deal other than making sure i take her out at least 2 or 3 times per week albeit most of the journeys fairly short.
It's stored under my car-port and covered when not in use.
Now as i've not been using her a great deal since the end of summer whenever i check my oil cap there's usually water droplets and a milky substance in the cap and the same down the tube.
The dipstick is always fine - ie nice golden oil, no other contaminants and on my last oil changes there have been no signs of water contamination.
I usually leave her to warm up before i drive off but i've not driven her any long distances lately.
I'm hoping that it's just condensation through lack of use and not the headgasket going.
She drives fine, pulls great and i've checked the plugs and they seem a little sooty around the edge but other than that quite normal.
Are any other '44 owners experiencing similar symptoms through lack of use and cold, damp weather.
One thing i have noticed is that the oil filler cap is very loose fitting right up to the last turn, so would a worn filler cap or "o" ring allow the condensation in.
In normal weather she smokes white a little but soon goes when waming up but it smokes longer during very cold weather.
If it were the headgasket going would you expect to see the oil filler cap gunky even after long journeys?
Any thoughts or am i being a bit paranoid.

 

[sawood12]

Mine sounds very similar to yours, the filler cap is loose until tightened during the final rotation but is very secure once tightened - in fact it's a bit too secure as sometimes I have a bit of trouble getting it off. But I do have a layer of crud on the inside of the cap but the oil on the dipstick is nice and free from crud or froth.

 

[berg944]

I get a small amount of emulsification in the turbo filler this time of year because I am only using it for small journeys at the weekend.

Lux used every day has none!

I had a motorbike that suffered from this and that was air cooled! Was a bit better when I stopped using Castrol GTX in it.

Mike[:'(]

 

[Fen]

It's a common 944 problem; long filler neck doesn't help. Don't worry about it (or use the car every day).

 

[Bull996]

Dont know if this helps but its also very common on 996s. Condensation due to the long filler pipe and winter.
I had it confirmed with the dealer.

 

[944cabby]

Thanks chaps, i was a bit worried.

 

[Richard Savage]

cabby

one of the bi-products of combustion is water, lodsaofit! Some will get past the piston rings and into the sump, it's unavoidable. Water emulsifies with the oil and .............. you get sludge. The natural place for it to show is on a cold spot. Your filler tube. But it will also be lying about in other parts of the engine.

The best answer would be a daily caining for 100 miles up the motorway, but this isn't practical. Not only that, everybody is looking for a nice low mileage car that's spent most of it's life sat in a garage rotting away from the inside!

However, keep an eye on it and wipe it out - I did mine today - Short trips don't help unfortunately. I do only a small yearly mileage and short trips and as a consequence I have the oil / filter changed annually.

But use your car. Better than letting it sit around in the garage / under a cover!

R.

 

[John Sims]

And I thought that one of the advantages of a 911 was you didn't get water in your oil. []

A point well made Richard.

Beaky gets a degree of sludge in his froth tower these days as well.

 

[Fen]

I bet the MTGQ has too - I haven't driven it since Andrew's open day, and in fact I've only seen it once since then. My Indy has it in his workshop, but for some reason he's not keen to take it out for a "spin" any more []

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Richard Savage

cabby

one of the bi-products of combustion is water, lodsaofit!

This is one of the reasons we should change our oil regularly (twice a year)regardless of mileage. Water and bearings do not bode well for a long and happy relationship

 

[944Turbo]

I also found that not doing the cap up as far helps some condensation to escape. Normally you do it up to what feels right, when you come back it is much tighter, back it off a smidge when you fit it and it will still be tight when you undo (but not finger breaking tight ) and the emulsion reduces.
Tony

 

[944cabby]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

I also found that not doing the cap up as far helps some condensation to escape. Normally you do it up to what feels right, when you come back it is much tighter, back it off a smidge when you fit it and it will still be tight when you undo (but not finger breaking tight ) and the emulsion reduces.
Tony

That's interesting - my mate has a 911sc and i'm sure he reckoned that his oil filler cap has a vent or breather of some sort in the cap.I'll ask him tomorrow.