Orange Fluffy Stuff Around Oil Cap

[yellowherbie]

So, I was putting some oil in my car today, and I noticed some orange fluffy stuff around my oil cap and the inside of the oil thing.. I pulled out the dipstick, and I did not see anything on it...

I thought maybe some antifreeze got mixed into the oil, but the level of the antifreeze hasnt moved, and its right on the black level line.

Does anyone know whats wrong? Or has anyone had this before?


Id hate to have a cracked block... I think I would cry.

Thanks in advance!

[LadybugEwa]

Doing a lot of short runs lately? It could be just condensation that has no time to burn off.

[Evanrude]

What she was saying

If you make a lot of little small trips, the engine doesn't get to warm up enough, and builds up some funky oil-condensation. I had it happen in my 1998 Beetle.

I thought something was horribly wrong, but it wasn't *bad-bad*. Just means it wasn't warming up enough.

[callisto9]

Condensation/moisture. Basically, what they said. I have it, too. Nothing to be too concerned about. I've had it for a long time. I also do a lot of short trips. In fact, all my driving is in town.

Hope this helps.

[LadybugEwa]

I now rev it higher a few times on the way back from a short errand - if it's warmed up sufficiently.

[yellowherbie]

Thank you so much for your answers. I can admit, that it takes me 12 minutes to walk to work, or bike to work, and lately Im sick of wearing layers of clothes because its 32 degree's out at night. So, I drive to work. I know.. bad.. bad... bad.....

All my trips are in town, I head outta town maybe once a week.



Hopefully, this thread will help others.

Thank's ya'all

[yellowherbie]

Originally Posted by LadybugEwa

I now rev it higher a few times on the way back from a short errand - if it's warmed up sufficiently.

Hmm... maybe a trip to target will do some good! Thanks!!

[mcsammons]

I had the nasty foamy oil on the cap forever in my 00 beetle. I always (until recently) had the beetle serviced by the dealer, and they never said anything about it...

While dealing with timing belt and bent valve issues recently, I also replaced the PVC (oil breather) valve. When I took it off, found that the hose was also partially closed off with the nasty whipped yellow gunk... Asked the dealer about it- apparently, the gaskets on the breather valve and the oil cap go bad and then that valve doesn't work right and lets water in... They also said that running synthetic oil helps. I guess this is a common thing in 2.0 VWs. I think the valve cost $40 and since it's right on top, it's not that hard to get to...

[HudsonValleyVDub]

I've had that same orange foamy crap under my cap also and it's because I only drive 1 mile each way to work every day. I do use Mobil 1 fully synthetic so that doesn't really help with the foamy gunk. I'll replace the cap and PCV valve soon anyhow.

[LadybugEwa]

Originally Posted by mcsammons

I had the nasty foamy oil on the cap forever in my 00 beetle. I always (until recently) had the beetle serviced by the dealer, and they never said anything about it...

While dealing with timing belt and bent valve issues recently, I also replaced the PVC (oil breather) valve. When I took it off, found that the hose was also partially closed off with the nasty whipped yellow gunk... Asked the dealer about it- apparently, the gaskets on the breather valve and the oil cap go bad and then that valve doesn't work right and lets water in... They also said that running synthetic oil helps. I guess this is a common thing in 2.0 VWs. I think the valve cost $40 and since it's right on top, it's not that hard to get to...

I have replaced the oil cap gasket, just thinking it's been on there 10 years. But the 'putrid nustard' stuff ocurred after that, and the whole while I've been running synthetic oil. I've cleaned up inside the oil cap with a lint-less shop towel with WD40, and did some more aggresive runs, and it hasn't re-occured. I might consider replacing the other gasket & tube if I know where they are, just for the heck of it again. Got a pic or more in-depth info of how to go about this?

[mcsammons]

The oil breather is just the thingy that the oil cap attaches onto. I circled it in red in the pic. It comes with a new gasket for between it and the valve cover. I'm not sure if you can get just the gasket... The hose that leaves the valve (blue arrow) was all gooked up with the foamy oil stuff, too. I felt like a surgeon with my pliers wrapped in a rag to get all that nastiness out...

I have noticed a HUGE difference in oil consumption since fixing this. I had oil down the valve cover and now am pretty sure that this is one reason I had to add oil between changes. I'm almost 3K since the fix, and haven't lost any noticeable amount of oil, and it's still very clean (this could also have to do with the head being all cleaned out, and changing to synthetic too.)

But, it's weird, I still notice condensation. I drive a LOT (50 miles one way to work) and when I get there, and check under the cap, there is still noticeable moisture.. but at least I can be happy about losing less oil... anyway- sorry for not getting back to this LadybugEwa, spring is crazy with projects!!! I saw in another thread that you had asked about this gasket, so I figured I'd put it back here... hope this helps!

[LadybugEwa]

Thanks, that's awesome
Seeing this makes a huge difference, as now I might attempt this myself

[HudsonValleyVDub]

I just replaced the oil cap (came with a new gasket). We'll see if that doesn't help the orange stuff....although the VW tech says it's common and nothing to worry about.

[yellowherbie]

Im soooo glad I started this thread. Thanks for everyone's input. I think we all learned something!