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[Neil_MV6]

Hi Guys

In the past two years, I've been doing very low mileage, but have just started a new job which requires anything up to 500 miles a week.  I've done about 750 miles in the last two weeks, have just topped up my oil and noticed some white sludge.  I have a 2002 3.2 MV6 with 150k miles.

I think I've read somewhere that I can expect to use a litre of oil every 1000 miles or so (is that right?).  The oil hadn't been topped up for a while and I put 1.5L in to top it up.

- I've done some reading on this and it seems that the issue isn't necessarily Head Gasket failure.

- What checks would you recommend before jumping to a 'Head Gasket failure' conclusion?

- Is there a way to definitively diagnose Head Gasket failure?

- Could the white sludge be because the oil level was low and there ws condensation in the engine from standing so much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


BTW, I was toying with the idea of changing to a diesel due to the miles I'll be doing, however our company have just introduced a new pence-per-mile scale which recognises the cc and fuel type of our private vehicles.  The diesel brigade are fuming because I get an extra 10pence per mile and travel in 'oh so much more comfort'  .  

I've actually been seeing a consistent 37mpg on motorway trips which has really surprised me for a 3.2!

Cheers

[ians]

Is it just in the filler pipe.  If so probably just condensation.   Wipe it off, take the car for a good run and check it again - most likely will be fine.   If there is sludge on your dipstick that is a different matter.

1.5L top up is too much (meaning you had let it get too low 0 must have been off the bottom of the dipstick scale..).

If you are losing anything like that much you probably have an oil leak and its probably the cam cover seals (quick check is to pull off a HT lead and have a look down the plug well - if you see oil, the seals have gone.

Have a look in the maintenance guides for 'breather cleaning' and replacing the camcover seals (AKA rocker cover gaskets)

[Jimbob]

Bit of sludge (mayo) on and around the filler cap is normal, for short journeys, esp in cold weather.

I always had it on mine, until I moved to Vauxhall's own oil, which seems much less prone to it  :-/

Think the general rule of thumb on these, is if you think it the head gasket....it isnt!
only seems to be HG if major symptoms.

Oil coolers often go with HG like symptons, oil in water mainly.

[Entwood]

Hi Guys

In the past two years, I've been doing very low mileage, but have just started a new job which requires anything up to 500 miles a week.  I've done about 750 miles in the last two weeks, have just topped up my oil and noticed some white sludge.  I have a 2002 3.2 MV6 with 150k miles.

I think I've read somewhere that I can expect to use a litre of oil every 1000 miles or so (is that right?).  The oil hadn't been topped up for a while and I put 1.5L in to top it up.

- I've done some reading on this and it seems that the issue isn't necessarily Head Gasket failure.

- What checks would you recommend before jumping to a 'Head Gasket failure' conclusion?

- Is there a way to definitively diagnose Head Gasket failure?

- Could the white sludge be because the oil level was low and there ws condensation in the engine from standing so much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


BTW, I was toying with the idea of changing to a diesel due to the miles I'll be doing, however our company have just introduced a new pence-per-mile scale which recognises the cc and fuel type of our private vehicles.  The diesel brigade are fuming because I get an extra 10pence per mile and travel in 'oh so much more comfort'  .  

I've actually been seeing a consistent 37mpg on motorway trips which has really surprised me for a 3.2!

Cheers

I would hope not !!!  any engine using that much oil is in serious trouble !!!

[ians]

Hi Guys

In the past two years, I've been doing very low mileage, but have just started a new job which requires anything up to 500 miles a week.  I've done about 750 miles in the last two weeks, have just topped up my oil and noticed some white sludge.  I have a 2002 3.2 MV6 with 150k miles.

I think I've read somewhere that I can expect to use a litre of oil every 1000 miles or so (is that right?).  The oil hadn't been topped up for a while and I put 1.5L in to top it up.

- I've done some reading on this and it seems that the issue isn't necessarily Head Gasket failure.

- What checks would you recommend before jumping to a 'Head Gasket failure' conclusion?

- Is there a way to definitively diagnose Head Gasket failure?

- Could the white sludge be because the oil level was low and there ws condensation in the engine from standing so much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


BTW, I was toying with the idea of changing to a diesel due to the miles I'll be doing, however our company have just introduced a new pence-per-mile scale which recognises the cc and fuel type of our private vehicles.  The diesel brigade are fuming because I get an extra 10pence per mile and travel in 'oh so much more comfort'  .  

I've actually been seeing a consistent 37mpg on motorway trips which has really surprised me for a 3.2!

Cheers

I would hope not !!!  any engine using that much oil is in serious trouble !!!

That is what Vx quote in the handbook, but I agree it is a lot, even for an engine with some miles on it- hence my comment re camcover seals leaking.

[Neil_MV6]

Sorry guys, just checked the empty oil container and it's 1L not 1.5L.

There's no evidence of external oil leakage anywhere.

I'll just have to monitor over the coming weeks and see how much it uses.  At least I need not panic unecessarily, so thanks guys.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Oil coolers often go with HG like symptons, oil in water mainly.

Which isnt a standard dry liner head gasket symptom....

[Kevin Wood]

It might be worth checking your breathers are clear (see the howto section). If it's building up a little moisture it could just be that the breathers aren't 100%, or could just be a consequence of short trips.

When was the oil last changed too? If it's been used for short trips more regular changes would be good for it and prevent too much moisture building up in the oil.

Having said that, when I bought mine I saw several low mileage Omegas with a load of mayo under the cap. I imagine they'd just been shunted around a forecourt and not driven for too long.

Kevin

[Neil_MV6]

That sounds the most probable cause, short trips.  I worked from home for two years and in the past few weeks in particular, I would use the car maybe once every three to four days to pop to the shops.

I'll change the oil and check the breathers.

Many thanks