Oil misting around rocker cover filler cap

[Eltoon]

Hiya, not really done anything with the engine in the 6 months I've had my 413 as it starts, idles and goes reasonably well so I thought I'd leave it alone for a while! Now I see I have oil misting around the filler cap and coating the rocker cover in that area. It wasn't doing that when I got it (and didn't look as if the previous owner had cleaned it up) and I've done very little mileage, probably only a couple of hundred or so. Any suggestions of cause? I'm hoping something simple like a breather?

[dan_2k_uk]

Could just be condensation if you don't use it much and only for short journeys.

[SherwoodNash]

Yep, condensation I'd guess!

I had this only last week and spent hours since on research thinking I may have a head gasket problem.

My symptoms were:

Slight milky 'mayo' residue on bottom of oil filler cap

Slight white smoky exhaust, even after warm up.

Very few miles driven since Christmas.

All clues that it is only condensation in the engine, if I'd had over heating problems, a lack of power and smell of exhaust in the radiator top up bottle, then you're looking at a likely blown head gasket.

I changed oil and filter, and took it out on a couple of long runs, leaving the cap off when I got back.

Now white smoke has gone and no more mayo in the cap!

[Eltoon]

No, this is different, it's actual oil, seemingly leaking out of the filler cap onto the rocker cover. No overheating, 'mayonnaise or any head gasket symptoms. Although I haven't done a lot of miles in it it has had thorough warming up...plus I'm in Spain, it's in the 30s most of the days now! :-)

[SherwoodNash]

In that case I'd look at the rubber seal on the cap first, even if it doesn't look perished, they still compress over time and the seal fails, worth replacing and see how she runs.

[dan_2k_uk]

Sorry. I should read more carefully.

Check the breathers aren't blocked, PCV valve not blocked, condition of seal on cap.

[zook123]

Sounds like you need a new Oil Cap, I went through 2 or 3 on my old Corsa!

[twiss]

When you get a new cap make sure it fits before you drive away with it... bought one to "fit" my vit 16v engine and the thread was wrong!

[SherwoodNash]

When you get a new cap make sure it fits before you drive away with it... bought one to "fit" my vit 16v engine and the thread was wrong!

As I said above, I left the cap off mine to vent any moisture and of course I forgot to replace and drove off

Lovely job cleaning up the bay in drizzle :yuk:did you know oil and water don't mix

[twiss]

hahah I did that once. The underside of the bonnet is still covered in shit years later