that gunk in the oil filler tube
01-23-2010, 07:05 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Mine filler tube is bad and the gunk is yellow. I took a picture today and will load it up tomorrow. The oil on the dipstick is clean and clear though.
01-23-2010, 08:27 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
The yellowy white gunk is clearly water emulsified in oil. No need for a lab analysis to figure that out. The big questions are:
1) Do certain oils contain significant amounts of water which vapourizes in the motor and then condenses in the relatively cool oil filler tube?
2) Do certain oils have a higher affinity for water, which leads to the same phenomenon?
3) Is a poor vapour seal at the oil filler capo to blame and this coincidentally shows up after an oil change when a brand switch may or may not have happened.
Time for some properly designed experiments.
1) Do certain oils contain significant amounts of water which vapourizes in the motor and then condenses in the relatively cool oil filler tube?
2) Do certain oils have a higher affinity for water, which leads to the same phenomenon?
3) Is a poor vapour seal at the oil filler capo to blame and this coincidentally shows up after an oil change when a brand switch may or may not have happened.
Time for some properly designed experiments.
01-23-2010, 09:32 PM
#21
I'll just say....
yes
yes
yes
There are so many things oils have in them its confusing. There are ingredients for high temp, metals, fancy this and that chemicals. When a lot of guys think their oil is dirty it is actually a coloring from the oil getting hot. Yes there is an additive that forstalls that too. You've got me for what the ingredients are in each oil. Seems race bike guys dive into particulars much more than car nuts. I've even recently been tempted to try 15w50 Motorex oil like my bike uses. I'm thinking 7000rpms max of a porsche verses 14000rpms of the gsx-r1000 bike would give the motorex oil a cake walk.
yes
yes
yes
There are so many things oils have in them its confusing. There are ingredients for high temp, metals, fancy this and that chemicals. When a lot of guys think their oil is dirty it is actually a coloring from the oil getting hot. Yes there is an additive that forstalls that too. You've got me for what the ingredients are in each oil. Seems race bike guys dive into particulars much more than car nuts. I've even recently been tempted to try 15w50 Motorex oil like my bike uses. I'm thinking 7000rpms max of a porsche verses 14000rpms of the gsx-r1000 bike would give the motorex oil a cake walk.
01-24-2010, 10:18 AM
#22
I have 170k miles on my 2002 c2. I have had the car since new.
From my experience, when I drive at high speeds in cold weather, I will get that gunk This even happens on 50+miles trips when I have redlined the engine more than a few times.
When I drive relatively slowly, in hot weather, I will not get it. This happens even when I have kept the rpms low for the whole trip.
What I am fairly sure happens is that the cold outside air blowing into that area (around the oil filler tube and cap) keeps that area cool, and the water condenses. High speed driving in cold weather makes it worse.
When I am driving slowly in the city, the hot air from the engine keeps that area warm/hot. The cold outside air does not blow in there as much. So there is no condensation.
As others have said, that gunk is simply moisture. For these cars, I consider the gunk in the filler tube and cap area to be normal.
Just my 2 cents.
b-man
From my experience, when I drive at high speeds in cold weather, I will get that gunk This even happens on 50+miles trips when I have redlined the engine more than a few times.
When I drive relatively slowly, in hot weather, I will not get it. This happens even when I have kept the rpms low for the whole trip.
What I am fairly sure happens is that the cold outside air blowing into that area (around the oil filler tube and cap) keeps that area cool, and the water condenses. High speed driving in cold weather makes it worse.
When I am driving slowly in the city, the hot air from the engine keeps that area warm/hot. The cold outside air does not blow in there as much. So there is no condensation.
As others have said, that gunk is simply moisture. For these cars, I consider the gunk in the filler tube and cap area to be normal.
Just my 2 cents.
b-man
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LJK17 (08-06-2021)
01-25-2010, 03:21 PM
#24
01-29-2010, 05:53 PM
#25
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
It only happens to my 996 during cold weather. In the summer, I'm gunk free!
I just went out and checked mine, and it is gunky. I drive 30 miles to work, so I know my engine gets warm - but it has been very, very cold outside lately.
I just went out and checked mine, and it is gunky. I drive 30 miles to work, so I know my engine gets warm - but it has been very, very cold outside lately.
01-31-2010, 12:51 AM
#28
Rennlist Member
Why all of the concern about the transmogrified oil\water tapioca in the top of the long filler tube?
Those of use that drove VW beetles in the 50’s – 60’s as everyday transportation through cold winters were used to cleaning the emulsification out of the filler neck.
Sometimes one could get more then ½ cup of the stuff. If you never cleaned it out it could almost choke the tube off completely. And believe me I checked for intermix on mine and never found water on the dipstick or in the oil. Just at the top of the filler. Also I’m pretty sure that the 3.5 quarts of oil got hot even though the engines were mostly under stressed.
Those of use that drove VW beetles in the 50’s – 60’s as everyday transportation through cold winters were used to cleaning the emulsification out of the filler neck.
Sometimes one could get more then ½ cup of the stuff. If you never cleaned it out it could almost choke the tube off completely. And believe me I checked for intermix on mine and never found water on the dipstick or in the oil. Just at the top of the filler. Also I’m pretty sure that the 3.5 quarts of oil got hot even though the engines were mostly under stressed.
01-31-2010, 12:23 PM
#30
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I dissagree that it is normal, but dont believe it is a major issue.
Mine had it and after "whatever I did" or "however I drive it" I dont have ANY anymore...
The car lived only 30 miles away from me so the weather is the same........
I have had 5 VW bugs, none newer than 1973 and as old as 1960 - I have seen it on them, but not all of them......
Mine had it and after "whatever I did" or "however I drive it" I dont have ANY anymore...
The car lived only 30 miles away from me so the weather is the same........
I have had 5 VW bugs, none newer than 1973 and as old as 1960 - I have seen it on them, but not all of them......