Ds3 155thp white sludge around oil cap

[N.phillimore155THP]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows anything about having white sludge around there oil cap at all? I noticed it a few months back and was told it could be condensation because of cold weather??! I checked again today and there is a hell of a lot more than previously, so now I'm thinking head gasket?? The car is only 9 months old and hasn't been driven very hard So was just wondering if anybody had had a similar experience thanks nath

[Bigfeet]

White sludge? Like Mayonnaise?

That's not a good sign, normally it points to a head gasket failure. That said if you're only doing short runs and the engine is not getting warm enough it could just be a build of condensation, best thing to do is give the car a nice long run but keep an eye on the oil. Would suggest that you look at changing it early.

[N.phillimore155THP]

Yeah it's sort of like mayonnaise bit darker with bubbles in it, car does 8 miles in the morn and gets up to temp but unsure if that's long enough to burn off the moisture, I've got it booked in with Citroen on Monday and its still under warranty but was just seeing if anybody new anything or had similar problems

[mattds3sport]

not good im afraid as biggie said. sounds like damage is done.

[N.phillimore155THP]

Well it's going into the garage Monday for it to be looked at, so will see what the outcome is then! Thanks for the replays

[Chris_Blue]

Sounds like oil, water mixed under heat
CBLUE

[N.phillimore155THP]

So are you saying head gasket then??

[Chris_Blue]

Not necessarily head gasket. Is exhaust smoking white at all under acceleration?

But could well be water getting into oil somehow

Why were u looking under filler cap anyway? - never looked at mine but oil level never dropped yet! U loosing oil?

CBLUE

[N.phillimore155THP]

Whilst checking the oil a few months back, I just took the cap off and had a look, that's when I first noticed the sludge, I then thought it may have been moister from the cold weather and not having drive it particularly far. I checked again after a couple of weeks and a few good drives and it had seen to have gone!! A month had passed and then today I decided to check again and it was there again but this time worse, so ice no become concerned and Booked it in with my dealer! It's hard to tell with the white smoke I don't think there is its just normal exhaust fumes which are visible because of how cold it is outside!
Nath

[N.phillimore155THP]

No oil loss but noticed water was on min level today though

[Chris_Blue]

Where was oil level when you last checked before today?
CBLUE

[N.phillimore155THP]

Just below max on the dipstick

[DaveB]

I checked again after a couple of weeks and a few good drives and it had seen to have gone!! A month had passed and then today I decided to check again and it was there again but this time worse,

You've answered your own question - it's condensation. Nothing to worry about, all cars suffer from it to a greater or lesser degree. Eight miles in freezing temperatures is not enough to get the engine thoroughly warmed through, you need to take it for a decent run, 20-30 miles at motorway speeds, to get rid of it.

[Chris_Blue]

Well- your either burning it, or loosing it- one or the other
Could well be the gasket
Service dept will let you know I would have thought. Its a warranty issue anyways
Had any mods done?
CBLUE

[DS3man STEVE]

i experienced same problem with my VW Golf and it was short journeys that was the problem while sitting outside in our UK climate the cylinder head does tend to get some atmospheric moisture in it kinda like your old single glassed windows use to do on cold mornings so when this mixes with the oil flowing in your cylinder head (oil + water= creamy sludge) thats why its only on your oil cap
As long as your dipstick is NOT creamy then you will be fine just do as DaveB says a good long trip along motorway should help.
A creamy dipsick = MEGGABUCKS

If in Doubt just Google CREAMY OIL FILLER CAP