Looked under my oil cap

[1997SEgreenmonster]

Im pretty sure that this isnt good at all im really pissed

[PLAGUE PHANTOM]

Look at where the lower intake mounts to the cylinder head. If you see a black plastic gasket then it is time to replace them. Make sure you get the aluminum gaskets. Might as well replace the plenum while your at it.

[redzmonte]

most likely intake gaskets, not a big deal.. there is a writeup on it under common problem. couple hundered in parts and you back on the road. ZZP or sells the gaskets and the upper intake (suggest replacing) manifold.

[drift7one]

out of curiosity, I checked mine as well today, and noticed some yellow like crud inside the cap. not nearly as much, but it definitely had some. service record shows the gasket was replaced at 78k and it looks like they replaced it with another plastic gasket. my car is about 200 miles over 100k, this something I should consider doing again with the metal gasket, as well as the plumb and any other gaskets?

[MattStrike]

I would, if I planned on keeping the car.

[redzmonte]

If you have just a little bit under there.. clean it off, check your oil and keep an eye on it. also make sure your PCV system is up to snuff and clean. it could be some reidual form when it was done or moisture from your part of the country. Humid areas sometimes will show a little condisation in the oil.. VW's w/ the 2.0T have that *shoot* even in Colorado where its Dry as hell (lack of factory PCV i was told)

[BonnevilleSE2000]

I have this same problem. Is this due to coolant mixing with the oil? How urgent is this? I'm going to college next year and I want to make sure I don't have issues while i'm there... Also, I have done some research and was wondering if the W Body Store is a good website to purchase new gaskets and an intake manifold from. I was also wondering what everyones thoughts are on the infamous Dex-Cool...

[RJolly87]

If you have a milkshake in your crankcase, you likely have coolant mixing with your oil. Every day that coolant is in the oil, is another day that the engine internals (bottom end mainly) suffer damage. Many have had a full on failure, not caught it right away, repaired it, and find a trashed bottom end within a few thousand miles (if that).

Dex-cool.... that is an interesting topic. Many in these parts will tell you to strictly avoid it. I believe that Dex-cool is okay, up until it gets contaminated. The catch, is that it gets contaminated by just about everything, anywhere from minerals in tap water (distilled is about the only way), to air. When it gets contaminated, it turns acidic and decays gaskets, and stuff. The results can be seen at http://dex-cool.net/ .

Because I tend to be a little more laxed in my maintenance habits, I plan to ditch it when I come across it, and avoid it.

[00Beast]

Important question to be asked: How many miles a day, on average, does the car get driven? The car really needs to get up to operating temp for at least 10 minutes a drive to burn the moisture out of the crankcase. If all you do are short city trips, that could be a big culprit.

I'm not detracting from the fact that the upper plenum and LIM gaskets should be done, but there are other factors to be considered. That yellow crap is just moisture condensed onto the cap. Whether it's coolant or not isn't easily discernible from my vantage point. If it smells sweet, get the gaskets fixed ASAP.

[1997SEgreenmonster]

So i took my car into the shop and they think its just moisture build they cleaned off and told me to check it in a few days....... but they do think i have a clogged cat so im going to get that takin care of this weekend with the tune up im getting

[FasGP]

Dex in the oil is death to the bearings. I suggest getting it done asap. The car will keep running this way, but beware...one day you will be driving down the highway and you will hear this sound like the downpipe fell off, and that will mean a spun main or rod bearing, thus new bottom end.

Strongly suggest if you have the black gaskets to get them out as noted above. I just did mine...it did survive and leak Dex outside my engine instead of into the oil...I was lucky. Best longevity fix you could do is replace them.

[1997SEgreenmonster]

See i just had my coolant flushed and i didnt have this in my cap so that why they think its just moisture. i havent had this problem before till after i had it flushed

[repinS]

Important question to be asked: How many miles a day, on average, does the car get driven? The car really needs to get up to operating temp for at least 10 minutes a drive to burn the moisture out of the crankcase. If all you do are short city trips, that could be a big culprit.

I'm not detracting from the fact that the upper plenum and LIM gaskets should be done, but there are other factors to be considered. That yellow crap is just moisture condensed onto the cap. Whether it's coolant or not isn't easily discernible from my vantage point. If it smells sweet, get the gaskets fixed ASAP.

THIS, before everybody screams to go have the LIM gaskets changed.

[1997SEgreenmonster]

Important question to be asked: How many miles a day, on average, does the car get driven? The car really needs to get up to operating temp for at least 10 minutes a drive to burn the moisture out of the crankcase. If all you do are short city trips, that could be a big culprit.

I'm not detracting from the fact that the upper plenum and LIM gaskets should be done, but there are other factors to be considered. That yellow crap is just moisture condensed onto the cap. Whether it's coolant or not isn't easily discernible from my vantage point. If it smells sweet, get the gaskets fixed ASAP.

I dont drive the car maybe 15miles a day..... most of the time i only drive it to and from work which is bout 6miles round trip

[deano55]

6 miles = condensation

[00Beast]

Yep. There's your sign. When you run errands, try and arrange your errands so you make the furthest drive first, getting the engine warmed up, then keeping the car warm as you make your trip.

[RJolly87]

Or go for a drive.

[1997SEgreenmonster]

Yep. There's your sign. When you run errands, try and arrange your errands so you make the furthest drive first, getting the engine warmed up, then keeping the car warm as you make your trip.

Does yep mean you think its the gaskets or just nothing but moisture build up from short trips....

[Franksdad]

Anyone got links to the parts needed for gaskets and whatnot also what average cost and time it takes

[BonnevilleSE2000]

Does yep mean you think its the gaskets or just nothing but moisture build up from short trips....

I am interested to know the answer to that as well because i'm in the same situation... And here are some links to the parts http://www.wbodystore.com/gaskets-hardw ... -set-.html - LIM gaskets. http://www.wbodystore.com/air-induction ... ifold.html - Intake Manifold with gaskets. I have not purchased these but if it comes down to it I will.