yellowish "Goo" on oil filler cap?
 

I did a search on the forums but could not find a normal response for what the yellow goo is on the bottom of my oil filler cap.

Some say it is from condensation in cold weather etc?

Should this worry me if i see it more often? What is it from? how much would the repairs be?

Thanks.

Sounds like an oil seperator valve issue. Do a search for that and see if it helps.

To the OP, it's like saying your have an infected cut
and want to know the diagnosis, cure and how much...
Not poking, but seriously, use Search Tab; there are
literally pages on your symptom and possible degradation
of the oil separator/ccv system.
GL,mD

sound like u are doing alot of short trips! if so that is normal, however you should try to drive alot longer let the car reach normal operating temperature (temp gauge in the middle)

Crankcase vent valve

We can repair it for you at my shop if you'd like.

V & S Motor Service and Collision
207-20 northern Blvd
Bayside Ny 11361

718-229-6800

Ask for Vince. It is a one day repair

vince how much is it and what needs repair?

pm sent

It is not the crankcase vent valve, also known as the oil separator. It is due to condensation in the engine, which emulsifies with the oil. It is the result of doing lots of short trips where the engine doesn't get hot enough. If the engine does get hot enough, the condensation boils off. If it doesn't, it collects over time, often under the oil filler cap.

Now here is the connection to the CCV, or OSV: the condensate can collect in the crankcase vent valve, and clog it up. If it gets cold enough, the condensate can freeze, blocking the valve. That is when you get problems. The CCV is not the cause, it is where the symptoms can occur. Since it is so often mentioned in conjunction with this problem, people assume that the CCV is the cause.

The cure is to do a few hot oil changes in short order, and ensure that your driving includes a few longer trips that keep it at bay. You may want to get the CCV checked and cleaned out if you live in an area where it gets significantly below freezing, to manage the risk of a failure there. If you don't live in a very cold area, there is limited risk.

:iagree:

JCL is right! I also get this "cheese whiz" every winter but luckily, I garage my X5 so it never gets a chance to freeze up in the oil separator and has never been a problem. Once spring and summer arrives, the condensate burns off and the "whiz" is completely gone. Since we're nearly half-way out of Winter and the sub-freezing temperatures have subsided in most parts of the country, don't spend the money replacing the oil separator - try doing an early oil change instead to clear some of the condensate out so that it doesn't freeze if we get another big chill before winter is over! :thumbup:

You should look into a membership for vendors. You are currently posting as a private individual, and promoting your commercial enterprise. That doesn't seem to me to align with the board rules. I am sure the admins would appreciate your sponsorship, and there are dedicated forums specifically for vendors to market their services.

I agree as well. I just see these "goo" on oil filler cap threads and push the O.P. to search oil seperator issues so they can see what the "goo" means. I would do as JCL suggested. Good advice. :thumbup:

gotcha Jcl Will look into that. Didnt know that was a nono.

:iagree::thumbup:

You can properly put it between two slices of bread.....

exactly well put jcl, right on the money

All German cars get that goo. I had a terrible problem with it on the BMW. My thermostat was stuck open! Engine never got past the blue. I was cleaning the lid every day along with the inside of the block (as far as I could reach). Repaired the thermostat and changed the oil the next day (while it was at its hottest). Then I drove to Nebraska and back last weekend. No moisture at all!! Checked my Mercedes, same thing. I take that out for a 30 to 45 mile drive a week to keep it clean. Work pays mileage!

I just want to say this is an excellent description of the symptoms and possible consequences of this ever so common problem. Great job! :thumbup:

Yellow Goo for Dummies
 

JCL gets my vote for post of the season.
After reading his post I realized I am the perfect candidate for yellow goo. My best friend lives a block away, the supermarket /dry cleaner is 2.5 miles away, and the 19th hole is 10 miles away. Glad I'm getting my bathroom remodel done, looks like I am going to have to move!

OK , so a few=3 hot oil changes, in short order = ??????,
I'm going to try and work something out with an indy.
Thanks for your help.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Link to Pic

Here is what mine looked like I changed the oil. I will wait 1k miles and change it again. Unless JCL i should do it 3 times in a row but man that's a lot of synthetic just to flush out the yellow goop. Better that then a new engine though.

Thanks for the props guys, hope it helps.

Piston, this isn't an exact science. Do two oil changes, then keep an eye on it. If it looks like it could use another one, great, but do two hot changes and see how it goes first.

Yah... will do. Now i need to drive around in circles for 20 minutes before arriving at my 2min away destination.

:rofl:. Sound a lot like what I do now. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I don't have to waste so much gas.

Good advice guys but I disagree with "all German cars get this" I have never had any car get this and I have owned 8 MB, 3 BMW, 1 Merkur, and 1 capri- all German. The only time I have ever see this was on a buddy's '74 Volvo 240 back in '82.

I totally agree, we have a 2007 X3 and 2007 550i and we have no "cheese whiz" at all. Our 2002 X5, bring on the crackers. Bad design and major problem waiting to happen (like a Toyota). :confused:

Never had this on my X5. Had it on my 318i back in '94. I also had it on a 245 Volvo wagon in the late '80s. Both vehicles were used for lots of short trips. The problem is the short trips, not the X5 design. BMW's failing was in not making the CCV a regular maintenance item. Cleaning it out (and BMW do sell a diaphram kit for it) every Inspection I would eliminate many of the problems owners have.

I'm confused. :dunno: How do we explain my other cars with no "cheese wiz" with the same commute? X3, 550i, 3.4 miles to work, 3.4 miles back, weekend groceries 6 miles away, 12 miles round trip? Hmmm...:popcorn:

Could be a characteristic of the X5 engine cooling system. There is a lot of air circulating around the block. Thermostat settings could impact it. We are speaking here about how the vehicle stands up to misuse, however. Give it a good drive once a week. It simply wasn't designed to never be warmed up. If you can't warm it up properly, then change the oil a lot more frequently (as per the severe service recommendations), and clean out the CCV each season.

Definitely keep an eye on this issue. I had mine go bad on me in a cold snap to the tune of a repair bill of just over $2,100.

Yah no doubt. Added an annual ccv clean to maintenance. Getting that done this weekend and changing the oil again. That will be the shortest oil change ever <100miles. I assume another filter is in order.

I have been looking for a DIY article for cleaning the CCV, does one exist?

I checked my filler cap, and saw a thick dark brown layer of "goo" (not excessive, just a thick layer)... is that normal? i drive in a city where the temperature doesn't drop below 5 Celcius.

Darn! I thought this only happened when it was real cold. I guess you get condensation in even temperate temperatures. We are finally warming up now. I will let you know that when I first got my X in January and had A LOT of goo. I followed the advice on this and many other threads pertaining to this issue and I have not had it since I changed my oil about 6 weeks ago. I look for it at least once a week and nothing. So simply follow the advice given and you will be fine.

DIY out of the e46 forum
Oil Seperator- Never Before Seen Pics!! - E46Fanatics

Ok guys, here is the pic. The brown layer you see is DRY... just like a layer of dry paint... What do you think doctors? will i play the piano again? :D