Tan oil build up
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
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1999 E320
Tan oil build up
Hey everyone,
So I mentioned this in a previous post but wanted to get some more opinions and post some pictures to better describe the problem. In cold weather (last winter and this winter) there is a thick, tan oil build up under the oil fill cap. I posted some pictures below so that you can see it exactly what it looks like. Those pictures were taken about 3 or 4 weeks after the last time I cleaned it out. So all that is from 3 or 4 weeks.
People have said this is very common if I am making short trips in the cold, which I am. I still have some questions.
Should I just continue to clean it out ever couple of weeks? I assume I should not let that drip down in with the rest of the oil.
Does this mean that there is moisture getting in with the oil? If you look at the 2 last pictures there seems to be evidence of water. The 3rd is a picture of a paper towel that I was using to wipe blobs of the build up on. around the tan oil marks there quickly appeared water spots that spread through out the paper towel. The 4th is a close up of the oil cap when I was half way done cleaning it. It looks like there is a drop of water. It is hard to see in the picture though.
If there is moisture getting in, how severe is the problem in terms of damaging my engine? how could I stop it? I notice that several gaskets in various places of the engine don't look in great condition. Could that be the problem?
Thanks guys.
So I mentioned this in a previous post but wanted to get some more opinions and post some pictures to better describe the problem. In cold weather (last winter and this winter) there is a thick, tan oil build up under the oil fill cap. I posted some pictures below so that you can see it exactly what it looks like. Those pictures were taken about 3 or 4 weeks after the last time I cleaned it out. So all that is from 3 or 4 weeks.
People have said this is very common if I am making short trips in the cold, which I am. I still have some questions.
Should I just continue to clean it out ever couple of weeks? I assume I should not let that drip down in with the rest of the oil.
Does this mean that there is moisture getting in with the oil? If you look at the 2 last pictures there seems to be evidence of water. The 3rd is a picture of a paper towel that I was using to wipe blobs of the build up on. around the tan oil marks there quickly appeared water spots that spread through out the paper towel. The 4th is a close up of the oil cap when I was half way done cleaning it. It looks like there is a drop of water. It is hard to see in the picture though.
If there is moisture getting in, how severe is the problem in terms of damaging my engine? how could I stop it? I notice that several gaskets in various places of the engine don't look in great condition. Could that be the problem?
Thanks guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 6
From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
As Renault12ts said, it is condensation. I saw this for the first time last winter and freaked out. Took the car over to the dealer and was told this is normal for short trip wintertime conditions. Get the car up to temp for an extended run every now and then. This will help keep the goo to a minimum.
