Water In Oil - Beetle...help?

[bready4u]

Just got to changing the oil this afternoon when I noticed something. I drained the oil, cleaned the filter, changed the rings - all no probs. I was just about to fill back up with oil when I took off the oil cap and noticed light brown sludge around the top that went down quite into the funnel, and was quite wet with water iun there too.

I called a mate and he thought that it could be from condensation and the oil going funny at the top as it mixes with water, but I'm not sure. I also inspected the oil cap and the 'seal' type rubber on the inside has seen better days so maybe that just needs replacing?

Never seen it before though - any ideas? Do I need to flush it (there were no traces of this in the oil I drained out the bottom though)? I have cleaned it out as far down as I can but not sure how far it is down there. My beetle sits with no oil as we speak...

Many thanks in advance...

brooK

[s1fter]

Looks like a combination of short runs in the car and a damp winter, you will get more condensation in the engine and this will mix with the engine oil fumes and sitting on the oil filler cap.

Longer runs and warmer weather and this will be less of an issue.

Remove what sludge you can and carry on with regular oil changes.

Bring on summer!

[bready4u]

Looks like a combination of short runs in the car and a damp winter, you will get more condensation in the engine and this will mix with the engine oil fumes and sitting on the oil filler cap.

Longer runs and warmer weather and this will be less of an issue.

Remove what sludge you can and carry on with regular oil changes.

Bring on summer!

Ah cool thanks - definately no probs with the oil cap then? Definately bring on the summer!

[hawaiijoe]

Hi Brook

I think Mark is right. I have had the same thing on my beetles. Pretty sure its just condensation mixing with the vaporised oil in the filler neck.

I never worried about it. Just cleaned it up and kept driving. Cap is ok.

HJ

[vonripsnorter]

Hi, It was odd, but it happend to me many years ago, I had a beetle parked out side in an Auckland summer ( ie LOTS of rain) & the next time I went to start the car it actually sounded odd even on the starter motor like it was having a hard time turning over.
I checked the oil level & it was OVER full to the max & it turned out it was full of water, turned out this car had odd brazilian rocker covers on it with a funny cut out at the top that never sealed correctly & let in any water & dust & what ever else !!

I must have let out a good 2.5L of oil with at least this again of water.

I have never seen this before & I have never seen it since, but surely I'm not the first this must have happend too.

Not likely, but worth a look as it has happend

[bready4u]

Many thanks for all your replies