Strange Oil Color

I had a 2000 Beetle with the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine in it. I drove that car for 70,000 miles over 4 years. (I had a one way commute of 30 miles.)

My oil filler cap looked like yours every winter.

 

You live in Indy.
He lives in Texas.
Big difference in temperatures and how much condensation is generated when you drive

Whatever. Its his money.

 

I agree.......Houstons low temperature is a balmy low of 54 degrees at night?
Thats NOT winter temperature....its barely sweater weather and the intake should not be showing that type of residue in basically what is spring/summer driving.
Now if it were -20 below zero....thats another matter.

And did the OP even say the vehicle was used for short trips or was it only the responders?
'Houston, we may have a problem here'.

 

I just re read the posts and the OP DOES NOT say anywhere that the vw was used for short trips.....this was only the responders assumptions.
Further the oil was valvoline synthetic and was changed only 3 k ago.
If it were my car, before the warranty is up....take the car to the dealer for an warranty inspection....it costs nothing and it could save your bacon later on.

 

I like to armchair mechanic as much as the next guy, but when a professional looks at the problem and tells you it's no big deal, why does this stretch into two pages of debate?


movin' on...

-w-

 

I think it is a big deal. Stop driving the car.. Have you gone thru any puddles of water? Flooding in area? Air filter wet? If all that checks out then I would chalk it up to condensation. I suspect you have a bigger issue here.. Hopefully not..

R

 

Well some of us actually work on these things.
And yes my prior vw blew an head gasket at 80 klm (48, miles).....so some of us have experience with vw products. Replaced the gasket...planed the head and all was fine.
The vw's also use a iron block with an aluminum head....the different metals expand at different rates and this makes it a little more prone to head gasket failure than an all alloy engine. It does not happen all the time.....but its part of the design.
Vettes were prone to losing head gaskets as well up to the c4 models.....after that they went all aluminum motors.
I still own vw's (I wish they were all alloy but what can you do) as they are pretty reliable cars but I keep an eye for leaks.
Regarding the OP.....maybe its ok but all that is being suggested is that he take the car in under warranty....have the car inspected....and IF HE HAS A PROBLEM LATER....he's hopefully covered by warranty.....thats all.
Be a smart consumer and try to protect your rights.

 

Pshaw!

Yes,it is due to condensation but doesn't indicate a problem

It's quite common and doesn't indicate further investigation.

 

What I would do that also wouldn't cost a penny is check the dip stick for Milkshake. If still concerned drain the oil and take a look. Then check the coolant and if theres no contamination of either go for a drive. I think Rifledriver said it best but lets make a few more pages out of this just for the hell of it.