95 Neon Water in the oil....?

I know that I am being extremely hopeful on this.

I checked the oil yesterday in my 95 Dodge Neon. Noticing that it was
a little low, I removed the oil cap, and noticed a creamy sludge on
the cap. (Kind of looks like the gear oil in the foot of an outboard
motor after a season of use.)

Now I know this is being really hopeful, but could this simply be
water/condensation in the oil?
The oil is a little over due for a change (Time, not mileage wise),
and with the odd weather we have had (cycling through from warm/wet to
very cold/dry), could this be condensation?
I am dreading that this is a head gasket issue, but was unable to
smell the sweat smell of anti-freeze when I checked the cap and rag I
used to clean it off.

Any ideas or things I can check to see if this is actually the head
gasket again, as it was changed to a bi-layer back in 97ish?

(BTW, the car is a Single cam, 5-speed, with just over 445,000km on
her.)

Mike
mlawrenc(at)gmail.com

 

Mike, depending on how much it is will depend on a head gasket/head problem
or just a ventilation problem from a PCV or breather filter stopped up.
Pop the radiator cap and see if you have oil in there. If so......you got
problems.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Thank you Glenn for the information.
I have a bad feeling that I have problems. I checked the oil cap
quickly at lunch, and saw that creamy white sluge again.
It has been less then 24 hours, and about 25km since I did a complete
oil change/flush, and it is already back.

doesn't this sludge smell sweat?
I noticed that it kind of smells like 2-stroke exhaust.
I also noticed that when I check the dip-stick, the oil looks clean.

If it is the head gasket, any recommendations on a bandaid fix? I am
just looking to get by a couple more months, until I can do the work
in my un-heated garage. (At -30'C, I am not going to even think about
doing anything major on it.)

Mike

 

yes i'd say head gasket..sorry..good luck....