I've noticed some white sludge under my fuel filler cap and in the air intake (blowing through the crankcase breather). No sign of any coolant loss as the level has remained the same to the millimetre for the last year. Dipstick oil seems sweet and clean and oil pressure is healthy.
I'm curerently running Amsoil synth and a Mann filter changed about 800 miles ago. I think this mayo buildip is due to the criminally low mileages i'm covering at present (about 60 - 70 miles per week). This will be resolved in 5 or 6 weeks when my mileage increases to about 200 per week. But I have been doing these mileages for 6 months or more and never had this prob on the old Castrol mineral lube.
My question is thus - is this sludge caused by low mileages, and hence low operating temperatures, as I suspect? I think it probably is but i'm just seeking reassurance as i've never come across this before on one of my own cars.

Regards,

big Rich.
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'86 245, B230A. 161k. Old 200s never die, they just live on in other cars.

I assume you mean oil filler cap (not fuel). Yeah, I would say condensation as well, but just to be sure have the coolant sniffed, do a coolant system pressure test, a leak down test or have the oil analyzed....pick one or two.

Clean it up drive hard and see what happens.
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http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

Cheers Paul. I'm 99% certain it's just condensation but you can imagine the horror when I first saw it. I had to smoke a few Marlboros to calm down and start assessing the problem rationally. Having the car stood idle outside in the damp rain/sleet for 5 days didn't help things.
I've got a new 400 mile blast coming up at the end of the week. If that doesn't cure things then it's time for a preesure test oir oil analysis (although the only place I know of requires an oil sample to be sent through the mail so this is a final fling effort for me).

Regards,

Big Rich.
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'86 245, B230A. 161k. Old 200s never die, they just live on in other cars.

In a moist climate that we both live it, "condensation happens"....I think our climates are quite similar, with maybe our summers being just a tad warmer and perhaps drier, dunno. Find Bellingham, Washington State, USA on your bigass map....for a latitude perspective - or if you know anyone from Victoria, BC, Canada!!

Check this out - I get condensation in my relays!! Kills them, eventually.
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www.fidalgo.net/~brook4