So my brother wanted me to look at his '98 Camaro V6 and check out what was wrong with it. He said it's leaking oil bad and there is white gooey gummy stuff on the oil cap/nozzle. I found the oil leak, pretty sure its the oil temperature sensor right above the filter. Isn't the gooey white slime on the oil cap and tube caused from blown head gasket or cracked head or block?? How can i tell which it is? When i pulled the oil cap off i could smell coolant in there also, and it was a little smokey but there is almost no smoke (white or blue) coming from the exhaust.

-Chris

 

update: i've been reading threads for hours. i collected that driving short trips (maybe 5 minutes tops, which is all he does to and from work a couple miles away) causes condensation to build up from water vapor, and the filler neck is the coldest part so it collects there. being winter, it thickens. but many people stated that is from cracked head/block or blown head gasket. there wasn't any white "mayo" on the dipstick when i checked that though. i could've sworn i smelled coolant when i removed the oil cap but i may have been mistaken. the coolant seemed a little low, but it was also very brown and looked sort of thick on the sides of the top of the radiator. i flushed and filled his radiator in July of '06 so i know it couldn't have gone bad that quick. i'm not familiar with HG problems, and any advice i could get would be appreciated before i take his motor apart and start spending money on things he may not have to. thanks!

-Chris

 

The buildup in the oil cap is not uncommon, as you already found in the search, it can be a result of moisture buildup. Is the coolant level still good? If there isn't no lost coolant and the oil does not appear to be milky and thick, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I would drive it like it is and keep an eye on it...most of the time if its a heads gasket you will know it

 

Coolant mixed with oil looks like chocolate milk.

 

ya, his coolant should be bright orange...i bet what's in there could pass for Nesquik. i'm going to fix the oil leak thursday, change the oil and keep an eye on the oil level. if it raises any i'll know coolant is getting into there. thanks!

-Chris