• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Peanut Butter?

Share this page

S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
I popped open my valve cover and saw this peanut butter looking substance inside. I'm thinking it may just be spoiled grease that I use to seal the valve cover to the head. Any ideas?
DSC_0077a.jpg

The only thing that's changed is that I started using Marvel Mystery Oil this past year. Maybe it's how it interacted with the grease?

BTW - I'm definitely a believer in Marvel. Cold compression test before: 160/150/150/165. Cold Compression test after: 160/170/160/180. Might also have something to do with me getting better at making my valve adjustments.
 
Probably more like condensation that's not getting a chance to evaporate. Has it been idling a lot? Have you taken it out for a "spirited" drive lately? How's your engine temperature?
 
Sounds like moisture to me as well. I am a big fan of 'Marvel' as well and have never seen it react as you describe. Hopefully it is condensation from a lack of engine temperature getting warm enough to evaporate the moisture because the only other idea would be a head gasket leak between water and oil galleys or a cracked head / block.
 
Look's a bit flaky to be condensation to me, soak a bit up on paper towel, if it spreads all over its condensation, if it stays solidified its grease or ?
Russ
 
It stayed solid and I could scoop with a screwdriver. Condensation is likely as the car hasn't seen much action since before Christmas other than firing it up and letting it idle for a bit.

2018 was kind of a disappointment as I only put about 600 miles on the car for the year, where in previous years, I would put close to 2,000 miles on the car. Mother Nature had a lot to do with that as rain was near constant last year in the D.C. area. Hoping 2019 will be better.
 
A few years ago I changed the oil in the Beetle and after a short drive found "peanut butter" around the filler cap and neck. After a near panic, I finally remembered there is no water around an air-cooled engine. Like yours, it was just excessive condensation.
 
Back
Top