What Is the White Stuff Under Your Oil Cap?

Most causes are quite harmless, but there's one you need to take more seriously.

robbie_smokey_b

robbie_smokey_b/

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

When I inspect a used car, one of the first things I do is pop off the oil cap and look for milky residue. The remnants of this white substance can indicate how the vehicle's been cared for and if there's a potentially serious mechanical issue. But checking the oil cap for residue shouldn't be reserved for examining used cars. It should be a part of your vehicle's maintenance schedule.

That milky substance in particular could be the result of a major engine problem or a minor issue that's easily fixed. Just ask The Drive's Social Media Editor, Maddox Kay, who recently saw a milky residue on the oil cap of his 1999 Porsche 911 (966). He quickly started doing some mental math regarding an LS swap. Thankfully, that wasn't necessary.

But what is that milky residue underneath your oil cap? Let me explain.

The milky residue on an engine cap is the product of engine oil mixing with water or moisture. It's that simple. But your engine oil cap should create an airtight seal, and if your vehicle is healthy, water should never mix your oil to the extent that it would produce this residue.

To understand whether you’ve got a major or minor mechanical issue on your hands, you need to determine what's causing the oil to mix with water.

Yes, the oil cap makes an airtight seal, but changes in ambient temperature and humidity attract moisture from the air to the metal in the engine. This happens in all vehicles, and it's not usually a problem, as the moisture evaporates when your engine is up to running temperatures.

The problem is that some of us don't drive our vehicles at normal operating temperatures for long enough. So the moisture in the engine never evaporates and instead condenses on the metal and drips into the oil pan. If your trips are usually five to ten minutes long, chances are this is what's causing water to mix with your oil.

Thankfully, this was what was causing the residue build-up in Kay's Porsche 911. I say "thankfully" because, luckily for him, the remedy is more time behind the wheel.

Your oil cap is designed to keep air, water, and all other contaminants out of your oil. If the cap's seal is broken, moisture will get into your oil pan and continue to contaminate it until you fix the cap.

When you take pride in your vehicle, not much beats giving it a good clean with a high-pressure power washer. And a clean engine bay is even more satisfying. But high-pressure power washers and engine bays do not mix, or at least they shouldn't.

High-pressure power washers can force water into parts of the engine that it shouldn't. If you spray high-pressure water at any of these areas, it could lead to water contaminating your oil: oil cap, air filter housing, power steering cap, and the engine oil dipstick. It's best to use low-pressure water spray to clean your engine bay and avoid spraying any engine seals.

A blown head gasket is the major mechanical issue I hinted at toward the beginning of this article. If the milky substance on your oil cap is the result of a blown head gasket, it could spell big trouble.

Your vehicle's head gasket creates an airtight seal between the cylinders and the engine block, ensuring maximum compression. It also prevents engine coolant and oil from entering the cylinders. If your head gasket is damaged or blown, engine coolant can leak into the passages for the oil and mix with it, which results in a milky oil cap.

If left untreated, a blown head gasket can damage the cylinder heads and bearings and crack the engine block. Ultimately, you'll face a hefty repair bill or might need to replace the engine.

Since a blown head gasket could put a sizable dent in your bank account, you need to determine if it's the source of your problems quickly. A simple way to check is to get your engine up to its normal running temperature and inspect your engine oil dipstick. If there are beads of moisture on the dipstick, your head gasket might be damaged.

There are a few other indicators of head gasket damage. If coolant is leaking into the vehicle's cylinders, it’ll produce white smoke from the exhaust, so look out for this. Coolant could leak below the exhaust manifold, and there might be bubbles in the coolant overflow tank or radiator. And since you’re losing coolant, you might notice that your engine is running hot or overheating.

Firstly, rule out all the minor mechanical issues. Check your oil cap to make sure it has a good seal. If you’re not already doing so, start taking your car for longer rides at highway speeds. And if you’re cleaning your engine bay with high-pressure water, stop.

If you’ve ruled out all the minor mechanical problems and it looks like your car's head gasket is damaged, it's time to bring your vehicle to a mechanic.

Since a blown head gasket is the thing we’re worried about in this situation, check out FordTechMakuloco's video on how to diagnose a blown head gasket.