head gasket gone??

[marmalade86]

got a fright today when doing the usual checks i found some white gunk underneath the oil filler cap. and my oil level was close to minimum!
its a golf gti 2.0 mk4 and has drunk approx 3 litres in 3 months.

iv had 2 different opinions one is as title suggests that the head gasket may be on its way out, and the other is simply that im doing short journeys and the white stuff just builds up.
but wheres the oil going? there is no leak directly onto my parking spot and no obvious signs of it gathering in the engine bay......

possibly burning off as engine has a running rich code but theres no smoke coming from the exhaust...........

anyone who has experienced similar things or has advice is very much welcome to post

thanks in advance

[Wayne]

They are noted for using oil.

Give it a good run and see if the white gunk goes.

[lukeyyyyyyy21]

I also have a mk4 1.6 sr. When i first bought it it was from a lady owner who never drove it it had white gunk under the filler cap. After week or two driving it eventually went away. Same when I looked at a Audi A3 with same engine. I haven't driven my sr for a long time or anywhere far only very short stuff and suprize suprize white gunk has popped back under filler cap with moisture drips 1 year later.

I really wouldn't worry. Just wipe it or clean it with petrol (the filler cap that is) take it for long drive or just try use it more oftern and it should go. As long as if there isn't any coolant loss and the baileys hasn't filtered it's way there among the coolant it's over heating then it probably isn't the head gasket mate.

[marmalade86]

thanks for the re assurance guys had a 3rd oppinion and they said the same as theres no oil in the coolant.

unfortunately my commute is only 5 miles and do alot of short journeysshops, familys and that so ill just have to keep my mince pies on the white stuff if it builds to keep her running good.

cheers guys

[AlexMozza]

If you dont drive it that much the engine does not get hot enough for long enough to get rid of any condensation so a long drive as Wayne said dhould get rid of it...unless it is the HG!