Rick,
I like your solution -- more road-time! Actually, I have racked-up 800
miles on my B in relatively few trips. I think they were all at least
one-half hour, and generally much longer. I use a beater for all of my
short trips around town.
The weather might be a factor, too. It is winter here in southern New
England, and the temperature can be quite cool. I, too, suspect that the
engine might not be warming-up enough as suggested by Hans, Rene &
yourself, but I don't thinks it's due to short trips. In any case -- after
hearing from a number of listers-- I also suspect that a little
condensation under the oil filler cap isn't cause for serious concern. I'm
going to install a PCV valve, and periodically check under the rocker cover
to make sure there's no build-up of "goop."
Thanks everyone for your input.
Dave
72 B
At 11:48 PM 1/12/99 EST, Rick Morrison wrote:
>
>Dave,
> You may have the same problem I had a few years back with my 72
> I notices the same gunk on the underside of the filler cap, and could
>see a bit on the tops of a couple of rockers. None on the dipstick, nor
>in the oil, when changed.
> I finally deduced the basic problem was the engine was never getting
>warmed up enough on the drive to and from work. (I only lived about 6-7
>miles from the office,and given the hours I was putting in, didn't have
>time or inclicnation to go out an enjoy the MG) The water vapor in the
>crankcase was not completely getting vaporized and passed out the vents,
>thus was re-condensing in the rocker cover, making for a whitish/tan
>goop.
> The immediate solution was to drive the car for about 2 hours (and enjoy
>myself in the process); Long term solution was to find a longer way to
>work to allow the engine to reach normal temperature and clean itself of
>the bad stuff.
>
>Rick Morrison
>72 MGBGT
>74 Midget
At 10:21 AM 1/13/99 +0100, you wrote:
>Hans is correct.
>
>I had this with one of my motorcycles back in the 80's. There was lots of
>foam in the engine, I made only small trips those days. Someone told me
>that it was condens, and if I would make a long trip and heat up the engine
>well,it would go away. I did not believe the guy, but made the trip.
>
>Problem solved.
>
>Rene
On 13 January, 1999 8:37 AM, Hans Duinhoven [SMTP:H.Duinhoven@simac.nl]
wrote:
> David,
>
> Is it winter overthere?
> This can be one of the causes.
> One of the end products of petrol (gas for the USA's etc.) is water
vapour.
> This condensates and mixes on the several parts of the engine whcih are
> cold.
>
> One thing to remember is to renew the engine oil at least every 6 months
in
> order to avoid to let to much water parts into the oil, which then does
not
> lubricate well.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Hans
> '71 MGBGT more carts in less in the box
>
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