White residue under oil cap - Peugeot 405

Discussion in 'Peugeot 405' started by Dominic Gifford, Sep 28, 2004.

  1. Hi all,

    I have just filled up with oil on my '89 405 GL 1.6 and noticed a creamy
    white, thick deposit around the oil filler. Now the car is juddery and smoky
    when starting (which is now a lot more difficult).

    Should I start worrying?

    Dom
     
    Dominic Gifford, Sep 28, 2004
    #1
  2. Dominic Gifford

    Terrytubby Guest

    Blown Head Gasket ? Keep an eye on your expansion tank for its water level
     
    Terrytubby, Sep 28, 2004
    #2
  3. Hi Dominic
    Have come across this in a 405 (petrol, ca. 140.000 km) and a 605 (petrol,
    176.000 km). In both cases it was cured by using a flushing agent just
    before renewing the engine oil and filter. Comma produces an exxcellent
    flusing agent, which cleans the soot and grime from the oilways in the
    engine.
    IF you are unlucky, the coolant has found a way into the oil - probably a
    blown head gasket. Try flushing first, but check whether you have a coolant
    loss.

    Good luck

    Ivar Petur
     
    Ívar Pétur Guðnason, Sep 28, 2004
    #3
  4. I think that's the head gasket going, and the white stuff is an emulsion
    which is a mix of water/anti-freeze and oil.

    You will find power dropping, very smokey exhaust and increased running
    temperature.

    If the car is worth saving then you will need to get the head done now, or
    risk some engine damage with a bigger repair bill.

    Maybe some of the mechanics on here can advise you further.

    Good Luck,

    John
     
    John West Berks, Sep 28, 2004
    #4
  5. Dominic Gifford

    jmclk Guest

    i had it on my 98 306 xsi i spoke to a engineer at work and was told due
    to damp weather and short trips it was condensation built up in the
    engine.i flushed the engine and cleaned all the pipes out ran it and its
    fine so you may get away with cleaning it out but keep an eye on the
    expantion tank if it needs topping up all the time then yes the head
    gasket has gone
     
    jmclk, Sep 29, 2004
    #5
  6. Dominic Gifford

    ken kerrison Guest

    Years ago I saw this on a car and rushed around to my mechanic. He
    said 'mayonaise' as he called it was not uncommon. He checked
    everything and found no water ingress. I'm not saying ignore it - just
    don't panic.
     
    ken kerrison, Sep 29, 2004
    #6
  7. |
    | Blown Head Gasket ? Keep an eye on your expansion tank for its water
    level
    |
    | --
    | Terry


    By expansion tank, do you mean the tank at the front, at the radiator? I've
    just done a 250 mile (400km) round trip and it hasn't lost a drop!

    Dom
     
    Dominic Gifford, Sep 29, 2004
    #7
  8. | I think that's the head gasket going, and the white stuff is an emulsion
    | which is a mix of water/anti-freeze and oil.
    |
    | You will find power dropping, very smokey exhaust and increased running
    | temperature.

    | John

    Yeah, power seems to be there but juddery. Smoky at starting but the engine
    temp seems to be normal. I don't seem to be losing any fluid from the
    radiator; is this a slow process or would I notice after, say, 250 mi / 400
    km?

    Thanks,

    Dom
     
    Dominic Gifford, Sep 29, 2004
    #8
  9. Dominic Gifford

    StealthUK Guest

    Not sure about the 1.6 but there was a problem with the filler caps on
    the early 1.9 models which had a mesh system in them. From memory
    (which is a bit sketchy!) you were advised to remove the mesh (which
    connected to various breather hoses) and discard it as it was a
    contributory factor to 'mayonnaise'. My father's 405 had this problem
    but after flushing the engine through with some cheap oil and then
    adding semi-synthetic and discarding the mesh it was fine. Any
    breather hoses coming up to the oil filler cap will probably be full
    of gunk as well.
    Smoke upon start-up alone isn't necessarily something serious. Give
    the car a good service - change filters etc. before drawing any
    conclusions.
     
    StealthUK, Sep 29, 2004
    #9
  10. Dominic Gifford

    Harry Guest

    "> >
    level

    I did have this on a "G" reg 1.6 petrol 405. It could be a blown head gasket
    but could also be the type of oil and stop start driving. I partially solved
    this by using semi-synthetic oil and using a flushing agent.

    Car lasted for 122k - until a pikey b****** decided that his HGV would take
    me out.
     
    Harry, Sep 30, 2004
    #10
  11. | >
    | > Blown Head Gasket ? Keep an eye on your expansion tank for its water
    | level
    |
    | I did have this on a "G" reg 1.6 petrol 405. It could be a blown head
    gasket
    | but could also be the type of oil and stop start driving. I partially
    solved
    | this by using semi-synthetic oil and using a flushing agent.
    |
    | Car lasted for 122k - until a pikey b****** decided that his HGV would
    take
    | me out.

    Yes, perhaps I'm being a bit of a pikey here myself; the car has already
    done 140k so I don't suppose I can expect it to go on forever.
     
    Dominic Gifford, Oct 2, 2004
    #11
  12. Dominic Gifford

    G.T Guest

    Hi,
    Come on, you still have some years of good fun with it if you drive
    properly. Correctly driven & serviced, a XU just can't die !
     
    G.T, Oct 4, 2004
    #12
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