Is this a bad sign??!

[Nick_S]

So I started tearing into my car for some refreshing for the spring. Some new gaskets, new paint and cleaning up the engine bay etc. When I pulled my intake elbow off, there was a good bit of sludgey looking buildup inside the elbow and on the throttle body....



Pulled the crankcase breather off, same looking crap in there...


I had some similar stuff on my oil cap last year and my friend who's a mechanic told me it can be normal and from condensation. I'm worried it's a sign my head gasket is leaking. I pulled the valve cover off and everything is very clean under there and was surprised to see the timing chain and gears in very good condition still. Last time I changed my oil it wasn't discolored or appeared to have coolant in it. I need to empty my pan and do check it tomorrow.





So R3V I'm asking you. Does it look like I've got a problem on my hands or is this fairly normal?? I've never had a potential head gasket problem, what's the best way to test for this? I know this is an M42 but that sub forum doesn't get as much traffic.

Thanks
Nick

[jlevie]

That is rather common in cooler weather and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. What it means is that the car isn' driven long enough under load to get the engine host enough to boil off condensates. A couple of trips a week with 30 minutes of sustained highway speed driving will make a big difference.

[Nick_S]

That would make sense seeing as I don't drive it much at all in the winter.

[ak-]

J sauce is right. I have the same condensation crud in my breather hose/catch can lines, especially when it's cold out.

[Nick_S]

Thanks guys. Got pretty freaked out there for a few. Don't have the money for a full rebuild right now :up: