Engine mayo

[jimbob29]

What else can cause this besides head gasket problems?

[ross_jsy]

Can just be condensation. Happens if you do lots of short journeys so the engine doesn't warm up properly and evaporate off excess water in the sump, head etc

[maggspower]

As above, but you can tell the difference, if you take it for a good drive it and it goes away its fine, if you drive it and it gets worse, well, its not fine Does it overheat?

Cracked head is another cause.

[jimbob29]

Never over heats or loose water it's as good as gold.i do a lot of short journeys tho!i was using that 10w 40 castrol anti sludge with all my oil changes so must of bin clearing the sludge when doing my short journeys.but the last oil change I done I used the magnatec stuff.cheers lads

[zaust]

Are there any traces of mayo on the dipstick.

[Ninja_Penguin]

mine had this, was always short 2-3 mile trips. it did miss a little now n then, i assumed it was HG failure, but removing the head...nothing. was fine.

my mates MG ZS also gets it from condensation

[jimbob29]

Yes there's little dabs of mayo on the bottom of the dip stick.my short journeys are less than a mile twice from home to work and occasions taking the mrs out for drive.ill think I'll start using the anti sludge castrol for now on considering the constant short journeys I do.

[zaust]

Mayo on the dip stick is not good.
idealy you want to whip the rocker cover off. Pressurize the water system and mood for a trace of water conning from a crack. Normally around 6 & 5. If you can't see anything after a good Inspection then a cylinder leak test is needed. At least this will tell you weather its just a gasket or a cracked head before you go ripping it apart.

[Jhonno]

Yes there's little dabs of mayo on the bottom of the dip stick.my short journeys are less than a mile twice from home to work and occasions taking the mrs out for drive.ill think I'll start using the anti sludge castrol for now on considering the constant short journeys I do.

Or walk/ride a bike..

[Sjoerd320i]

I have some mayo on the filler cap of my m50 but that's mostly because the sump ventilates in the open air so where air can come out it can come in.

[Brianmoooore]

When the level oil level on the dipstick starts rising with time instead of going down, along with the level in the coolant bottle going down, start worrying. Until then, just drive it.

[FlappySocks]

I had a bad case of this on a 4.0L Jag. I started doing short journeys to work, and one winter I looked at the dip stick, and had a heart attack. I was getting ready to sell the car. Thick white mayo all over it, practically oozing out of the dip-stick tube.

Turned out to be nothing, and went away when the weather warmed up.