Goop in the oil fill cap area...

[ShafferNY]

When I first bought my KJ in October of last year the dealer took it Jiffy Lube to have the oil change prior do me driving it off the lot.

After putting 3000 miles on it I changed the oil. This is when I first noticed the white goop in the filler neck.

I usually use Valvoline, but money was tight so I put some Quaker State in it. After a few days I noticed the white goop reappearing.

JeepJeepster is right. There are just four bolt holding it to the cylinder head and it's sealed with a rubber speghetti seal("o" ring type). I had to loosen the coolant resevoir to give me just enough slack to move the coolant lines out of the way so I could get to the bolts.

 

[Mangate]

I am pretty sure it has a lot to do with the plastic filler tube not getting hot enough, but also short journeys definitely won't help. Oil choice also has an effect, I once used Duckhams in another vehicle and it was alot worse. I haven't had any problem with the Liberty, but my minimum journey would be about 10 miles, usually much more.

 

[offrovering]

It just bolts to the head..

thanks, clearly I have never really looked, never thought about taking it off.

 

[a4dp]

I have a new theory, but it could be way off.

Maybe it has to do with the oil cap being tightened. My first oil change I didn't have the goop and I could hardly get the oil cap off. So the I didn't screw it on as tight, I thought maybe the dealer overtightened it. My 2nd oil change there was all kinds of goop. This time I tigtened the cap all the way, I could barely get it off like the first time. I changed my oil yesterday and there was no goop! My driving conditions haven't changed either. Coincidence?

 

[JeepJeepster]

^Yes

 

[Marlon_JB2]

^Yes

x2. I've done this experiment before and it didn't matter whether it was tight or not... on 2 Jeeps.

 

[jeepkj02]

I remember on another thread, somebody said it was due to the oil filler being made out of plastic. If it was made out of metal there wouldn't be any "goop".

 

[jwheeles]

I really think it has to do with short drives and cold/damp weather. When I lived in Alabama it never got very cold and I was driving 25 miles one way to work. Now, in Missouri, I'm driving 4 miles one way to work and it has been a lot colder than 'Bama. I believe in my KJ that the little plastic piece inside is used to kind of collect the goop so it doesn't end up further down in the engine. I am running Mobil 1 full synthetic oil and it is still doing it.

I've had this happen before on a old Ford Torino 351 engine. Nothing wrong with the engine, just had the goop build up on it.

I've also had this happen on two other vehicles. One was a head gasket and the other was a cracked head.

It's scary to look at but in this case I don't think it means much except keep your oil changed regulary.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Cottage cheese in oil filler neck!

I've been changing oil for many a year and the only oil I've ever had look milky and like thick cream was in my '91 Dodge Colt and my '94 Dodge Colt. I figured it on improper engine warm up before driving away first thing in the morning(Mid September through to March) and then in the evening when it was cold again coming home from work.

Since this thread started 03-08-08, I've been checking the Liberty's engine oil every morning before Jennifer heads out for work.
28 days into it, and I have yet to see any "White goop" in the filler neck/oil cap. Good for me!

Cheers
Ry'

 

[a4dp]

x2. I've done this experiment before and it didn't matter whether it was tight or not... on 2 Jeeps.

Booo, I am baffled then. If anything I've been driving less distance lately, which doesn't make any sense.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Booo, I am baffled then. If anything I've been driving less distance lately, which doesn't make any sense.

Yea, when you drive short distances the engine doesnt get hot enough to burn off all the condensation.

Short trips and cold temps are the #1 cause of this issue.

 

[a4dp]

Yea, when you drive short distances the engine doesnt get hot enough to burn off all the condensation.

Short trips and cold temps are the #1 cause of this issue.

Yeah, that's what isn't making sense. I'm driving less now than I was before when I had the goop. Other than the last couple of weeks the weather hasn't been different either. I'm also using the same oil.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Yeah, that's what isn't making sense. I'm driving less now than I was before when I had the goop. Other than the last couple of weeks the weather hasn't been different either. I'm also using the same oil.

Maybe the experiment is working for YOUR JEEP. All these Libbys are different in their own way. What works for Jeep #1 or #2 or #3-300,000 might not work for #300,001.

 

[ShafferNY]

What's the purpose of the baffle in the oil filler neck anyway? Has anyone tried removing it to see what happens? It might allow more hot air to come up the filler neck, but then again, the baffle is probably there to protect the PCV valve.

Thinking out loud.

 

[JeepJeepster]

What's the purpose of the baffle in the oil filler neck anyway? Has anyone tried removing it to see what happens? It might allow more hot air to come up the filler neck, but then again, the baffle is probably there to protect the PCV valve.

Thinking out loud.

Ive pondered on how that baffle could keep down the sludge but Im not sure exactly how it could. There was a recall on WJ's just to add that little piece of plastic so I know its there to keep it from occuring. Ive never seen it so it must be doing something. Its all about using a quality oil too.

 

[GKreamer]

I have a new theory, but it could be way off.

Maybe it has to do with the oil cap being tightened. My first oil change I didn't have the goop and I could hardly get the oil cap off. So the I didn't screw it on as tight, I thought maybe the dealer overtightened it. My 2nd oil change there was all kinds of goop. This time I tigtened the cap all the way, I could barely get it off like the first time. I changed my oil yesterday and there was no goop! My driving conditions haven't changed either. Coincidence?

Yikes is the oil filler cap on TIGHT!!! You need Bob Sapp to get that sucker off the first try!

 

[a4dp]

Yikes is the oil filler cap on TIGHT!!! You need Bob Sapp to get that sucker off the first try!

Yeah, I've been using a strap wrench to get it off and even then it is still a pain.

 

[Dave]

Yikes is the oil filler cap on TIGHT!!! You need Bob Sapp to get that sucker off the first try!

When I do an oil change I just wipe a little oil on the threads with my finger. Mine is still tight, but I can get it off. I am not sure how much that will help but you could try it.

Dave

 

[ShafferNY]

What about putting a little bit of silicone grease on the rubber seal?

I'll be that would work.

 

[ShafferNY]

I check the oil filler neck today and there was no white stuff at all. My driving habbits haven't changed at all, but the weather has been warmer.