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    Jan 5, 2006 6:21:39 PM

    br d
    Co-Pilot
    br d
    Loc: Essex UK
    Posts: 160, Gallery
    Registered on: May 28, 2005

    Oil discolouring.

    Car's done 3500 miles and I've topped the oil up twice. I got the warning again today so I put another litre in but when I took off the cap there was a lot of yellow scum all around the inside of the cap and down the filling tube. It wasn't there the 2 previous times I topped up, is this normal? The car seems fine and I'm using Mobile 1. On each occasion I've topped it up withing minutes of getting the warning and always run the oil level detector after to check everything was fine.

    br d

    Jan 5, 2006 6:29:19 PM

    Kev_997
    Newbie
    Kev_997
    Loc: UK - Manchester
    Posts: 47, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 26, 2005
    Reply to: br d

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    could be wrong here, but yellow scum usually indicates water in the oil - have you checked the end of the dipstick to see if the oil itself is showing contamination or is it just on the filler cap?

    Jan 5, 2006 6:34:16 PM

    Stephenkng
    Pilot
    Stephenkng
    Loc: S.F., CA , United States
    Posts: 356, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 5, 2005
    Reply to: Kev_997

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    I think there is no dipstick for the 997

    Jan 5, 2006 6:36:05 PM

    P997C2S
    Junior
    P997C2S
    Loc: North East - USA
    Posts: 116, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 13, 2005
    Reply to: Stephenkng

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    The whitish/yellow scum is formed by water condensing on the filler cap and pipe and mixing with the oil forming an emulsion. This is normal but it can also form when coolant leaks into the crankcase from a leaking head gasket or porous block. You should also check your coolant level after the car cools down (preferably overnight). The level should at least be at the "min" level. If you do need coolant you must use a Porsche approved coolant.

    Jan 5, 2006 6:36:13 PM

    Kev_997
    Newbie
    Kev_997
    Loc: UK - Manchester
    Posts: 47, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 26, 2005
    Reply to: Stephenkng

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    sorry don't get my 997 for another 7 weeks so didn't realise!...

    Jan 5, 2006 6:36:39 PM

    P997C2S
    Junior
    P997C2S
    Loc: North East - USA
    Posts: 116, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 13, 2005
    Reply to: Stephenkng

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Quote:
    Stephenkng said:
    I think there is no dipstick for the 997



    Nope, and it sucks!

    Jan 5, 2006 6:46:41 PM

    br d
    Co-Pilot
    br d
    Loc: Essex UK
    Posts: 160, Gallery
    Registered on: May 28, 2005
    Reply to: P997C2S

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Quote:
    P997C2S said:
    The whitish/yellow scum is formed by water condensing on the filler cap and pipe and mixing with the oil forming an emulsion. This is normal but it can also form when coolant leaks into the crankcase from a leaking head gasket or porous block. You should also check your coolant level after the car cools down (preferably overnight). The level should at least be at the "min" level. If you do need coolant you must use a Porsche approved coolant.



    This makes sense. We've had a lot of snow here in the last couple of weeks and I've only driven short journeys. I presume that the car sitting very cold and wet, then getting briefly warmed up on several consecutive occasions would cause more condensation than normal. I'll check the oil and coolant cold when I get back from work tomorrow. Thank's guys.

    br d

    Jan 5, 2006 7:02:10 PM

    SimpleSkin
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    SimpleSkin
    Loc: Ashburn VA, USA , United States
    Posts: 213, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 1, 2005
    Reply to: br d

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    I have also seen this yellowish green scum on my filler tube. And also noticed that the coolant was a little low. My 2006 997S has 2300 miles. Should I be concerned?

    Jan 5, 2006 7:21:34 PM

    edz
    Rennteam Pro
    edz
    Loc: South Orange County
    Posts: 2022, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 11, 2005
    Reply to: SimpleSkin

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Low coolant at 2300 miles (not too low) is normal! If you have a leaking head gasket GOD FORBID, you will see it very clearly in the oil. Too bad there is no dipstick. Chances are very remote for a car this new having this sort of a problem. This is when I miss the air cooled engines, while I don't miss their heaters.

    Jan 5, 2006 7:22:03 PM

    fritz
    Rennteam VIP
    fritz
    Loc: BaWü , Germany
    Posts: 10248, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 23, 2003
    Reply to: br d

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Quote:
    br d said:
    We've had a lot of snow here in the last couple of weeks and I've only driven short journeys. I presume that the car sitting very cold and wet, then getting briefly warmed up on several consecutive occasions would cause more condensation than normal. I'll check the oil and coolant cold when I get back from work tomorrow.



    Bingo! Even if it doesn't clear up in the near future, don't worry about it. The phenomenon is much more likely to be caused by condensation resulting from short runs and cold, damp conditions than by a blown gasket.

    Jan 5, 2006 7:29:24 PM

    edz
    Rennteam Pro
    edz
    Loc: South Orange County
    Posts: 2022, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 11, 2005
    Reply to: fritz

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Avoid running the car for short periods and/or short runs. Drive it at least for 30 minutes after the car is warmed up and let it idle for a minute before your shut the car off.

    Jan 5, 2006 9:08:07 PM

    Silver Bullet
    Veteran
    Silver Bullet
    Loc: Canada
    Posts: 1126, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 24, 2004
    Reply to: fritz

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Quote:
    fritz said:
    Quote:
    br d said:
    We've had a lot of snow here in the last couple of weeks and I've only driven short journeys. I presume that the car sitting very cold and wet, then getting briefly warmed up on several consecutive occasions would cause more condensation than normal. I'll check the oil and coolant cold when I get back from work tomorrow.



    Bingo! Even if it doesn't clear up in the near future, don't worry about it. The phenomenon is much more likely to be caused by condensation resulting from short runs and cold, damp conditions than by a blown gasket.



    Exactly what my dealer told me. Very common and not to worry.

    There was a letter in Excellence or one of the other Porsche mags about this, and the tech responding said it could be very dangerous, should be checked out, and may represent water in the oil, but this was a HUGE overcall by someone unfamiliar with Porsches operating in cold climates. This stuff will clear up when the weather warms up, exactly as it does on my 966.

    Jan 5, 2006 9:41:53 PM

    P997C2S
    Junior
    P997C2S
    Loc: North East - USA
    Posts: 116, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 13, 2005
    Reply to: SimpleSkin

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    Quote:
    Justin Gay said:
    I have also seen this yellowish green scum on my filler tube. And also noticed that the coolant was a little low. My 2006 997S has 2300 miles. Should I be concerned?



    Is it below the "MIN" level on the coolant tank? If so have it topped off and mark the level with a piece of tape. If the coolant drops again by an appreciable amount you probably have a small leak in the system somewhere.

    You really should have some coolant on hand at home. You can buy a quart of the Porsche coolant at your dealer and mix it 50-50 or 60/40 with distilled water.

    The whitish stuff on the cap/filler is usually normal.

    Jan 5, 2006 9:48:58 PM

    P997C2S
    Junior
    P997C2S
    Loc: North East - USA
    Posts: 116, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 13, 2005
    Reply to: P997C2S

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    If you drive your car frequently in the winter for short trips you also may find your oil level droping after you take it for an extended drive. The water will boil off in the oil and the oil level will drop making it appear that you burned the oil.

    Jan 5, 2006 10:10:26 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: fritz

    Re: Oil discolouring.

    I've seen small amounts of that gunk in the oil filler cap of every car I have ever owned. FWIW
     
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