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white gunk in my car????

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  • 09-01-2008 12:24pm
    #1
    liljenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 42 ✭


    iv a 95 ford fiesta and its started dying out on me lately i took off the oil cap one day to find a lot of qwhite gunk it also went right up to the air system, i know tha white gunk can be a sign that the heads gone but its not and the heating is grand on the car and when this gunk is cleaned out the car is fine but the problem is theat the gunk comes back afetr maybe 3 weeks..... iv been told because of the cold weather it could be condinsation, does anyone know if there is anything else i can do to prevent this happening???


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    #2
    cantdecide
    Registered Users Posts: 11,465 ✭✭✭✭cantdecide


    3-2-1...


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    #3
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,101 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    Water is leaking into your oil from somewhere. You should get it checked as you probably already have guessed.


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    #4
    cantdecide
    Registered Users Posts: 11,465 ✭✭✭✭cantdecide


    Phooee, they wouldn't oblige:)

    Sounds like it's the headsgasket. The car would have to be idle for long stretches in order for that mayonaisse to build up AFAIK.

    Have you been checking you water level?


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    #5
    liljenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 42 ✭liljenny


    cantdecide wrote: »
    Phooee, they wouldn't oblige:)

    Sounds like it's the headsgasket. The car would have to be idle for long stretches in order for that mayonaisse to build up AFAIK.

    Have you been checking you water level?

    water level is fine im not losing coolant


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    #6
    kona
    Registered Users Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    when was the last time you changed the oil and filter???
    oil is immulsifying, this happens when it breaks down and when water gets in it, also when you dont let it get up to operating temperature.
    is it a push rod fiesta?? well 95 it is...
    your head and block could be porous.....
    no idea about the airbox though.....


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    #7
    blackbox
    Registered Users Posts: 4,317 ✭✭✭blackbox


    It's possible that your engine simply isn't running hot enough either due to short runs or a faulty thermostat.

    Is it getting up to normal temperature on the gauge (assuming it has a gauge)?


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    #8
    liljenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 42 ✭liljenny


    its only been serviced bout two months ago. the temp seems to be grand like it never goes past maybe a quarter mark. what do you mean short runs?


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    #9
    blackbox
    Registered Users Posts: 4,317 ✭✭✭blackbox


    In fairness, a mechanic wouldn't normally check the thermostat during a service.

    By "short runs" I mean less than around 5 miles or 15 minutes so that the car doesn't get up to full operating temperature - this will vary from car to car and also car will take longer to heat up going downhill etc.

    The white gunk is an emulsion of water in your oil. When your car is regularly at full temperature for a while, the water will evaporate and be drawn through the air filter as steam. It is normal to have a little water getting into the oil, but if the oil doesn't get hot enough to evaporate it the water will build up to form this "white gunk"

    For most cars the temperature gauge should be at the half-way mark during normal running. However I wouldn't jump to conclusions as in a 12 year-old car it could be the gauge that is wrong.

    You can test the thermostat yourself by removing it and using hot water, an accurate thermometer and a piece of thread, but if you don't feel confident about this you could get your mechanic to test it. In fact, if you are going to your mechanic it would be as cheap simply to ask him to replace it - the labour will cost more than the part.


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