Vauxhall Astra mayonaisse in rocker cover
Variant: 1.6 Auto
Model Year: 2005
Categories:
Leaks & Noises
My daughter has a 1.6 Auto Astra 2005 and she is very happy with it.
When servicing it for her I found huge quantites of "mayonaise" inside the Cam Cover.
This deposit is not new to me, it has been happening to Vauxhalls for at least 30 (Maybe 40) years. My friend's 1976 Viva suffered in the same way. It is the result of cold air flow causing condensation inside the Rocker / Cam cover which then emulsifies the oil and forms the "mayonaise"; which then settles in the cover and around the cap. The problem was originally blamed on cold air from the cooling fan on startup, blowing over the cover but the modern cars have electric fans so that cannot be the case any longer.
After all this time, I would have thought Vauxhal would have come up with a solution but apparently not.
Any one have any ideas how to cure this frustrating problem ?
When servicing it for her I found huge quantites of "mayonaise" inside the Cam Cover.
This deposit is not new to me, it has been happening to Vauxhalls for at least 30 (Maybe 40) years. My friend's 1976 Viva suffered in the same way. It is the result of cold air flow causing condensation inside the Rocker / Cam cover which then emulsifies the oil and forms the "mayonaise"; which then settles in the cover and around the cap. The problem was originally blamed on cold air from the cooling fan on startup, blowing over the cover but the modern cars have electric fans so that cannot be the case any longer.
After all this time, I would have thought Vauxhal would have come up with a solution but apparently not.
Any one have any ideas how to cure this frustrating problem ?
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
is it like it on the dipstick too if yes it could possibly be the headgasket
Posted Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
As you say , they are still suffering from this fault . A family member until recently had a Vauxhall from new which had this very common and known condition . I continually cleaned out dollops of the "mayonaise" from inside cam box at least every two weeks or less . You are correct in saying " it is the result of cold air flow causing condensation inside the Rocker / Cam cover which then emulsifies the oil and forms the "mayonaise"; which then settles in the cover and around the cap " A lot of people think it's the head gasket , but realise it's not when the coolant level never alters . I did hear a while back that someone said they had cured it by fitting a deflector / shield at front of engine to change flow of air over top of engine .Whether it works or not , cant confirm as it was one of those jobs I was always going to do !!!
Posted Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
I've had a few vauxhalls which did this too especially in the winter, but it always cleared after a good long run on the motorway.
Posted Mar 10, 2011 (13 years ago)
Thanks for the input fellas, I know what you mean about "one of those jobs I was meaning to do." Got plenty of those pending.
It occurs to me that it may have something to do with Oil Quality. I think I will give it a good flush out then refill using a fully synthetic oil which may not emulsify in the same way.
I'll let you know how I get on.
L8er
It occurs to me that it may have something to do with Oil Quality. I think I will give it a good flush out then refill using a fully synthetic oil which may not emulsify in the same way.
I'll let you know how I get on.
L8er
Posted Mar 30, 2011 (13 years ago)
This problem is archived
If you're having a similar problem please click below to re-post this problem, you can then customise it to suit your situation.
Join the community
Got a question? Can you answer other questions here? If so please...
More problems with the 2005 model year Vauxhall Astra
We have 135 problems and solutions in our database for this model year of the car.
View all Vauxhall Astra Problems
Astra Recalls (13)
Parts mentioned