white engine goo?

[astraman]

When i do during the week my daily 5 mile journey to work then back again i notice white goo around my oil cap.I only to be honest allow the car to heat up for a minute or two.However at the weekend when i allow the engine to heat up till say the cooling fan cuts in then take it for a good run say 10 miles or so all the white goo seems to diappear.I drive a 1.6 astra club 1999.Is this anything to worry about.P.S my coolant doesnt need topping up and there appears no fluid leaks on hoses.

[Impret-Sir]

This is a classic symptom of an engine that is not getting hot enough, ie is used for too many short journeys, and is not a good sign, not because it shows that something is about to go pop, but because it means that your engine wear will be greater than normal. Also, check the water in your coolant tank, is there any sign of oily residue in there? If so then the two symptoms together are a hint that you have a head gasket leak, maybe only a small one now, but it wont stay small for long!

[Toureman]

This problem will not do much harm to your engine but the easy way to stop it is to blank off most of the radiator when you do short journeys. most cars are over cooled but particularly Astras

Even 10 miles is not a good run, it can take 10 miles just to put into the battery the power it used to start your car.

[tom hopkins]

got to agree with toureman . i would not worry to much it is probably just caused by condensation in the sum ( worst in winter because of cold weather). however it would not do any harm to take the car for a 20/30 mile run once a week

[=rizla=]

I dont know about your car but older cars used to have a breather going to the air filter, maybe worth checking its not blocked. Also i'd change the oil/filter more often then recommended, with asda's prices for oil you can use gtx, get a filter from a motor factors for under �20 and 30 mins work.