RCZ Creamy Oil Cap - Head Gasket or Condensation?

[jakejwr]

Hi,

I went to buy an RCZ today for 4k. Full service history, clean MOT, 71k miles, timing chain done at 60k, but I pulled out because I saw traces of mayo around the oil cap.

I though this meant there is something wrong with the head gasket, but I spoke to the dealer and he said it's just condensation. I didn't check the dipstick, but the coolant level was normal and not discoloured, and the engine wasn't overheating.

Should I go ahead with the purchase?

Thanks.

 

[Percival]

As an owner of MG's I wouldn't touch it. It could well be condensation depends on amount of Mayo, dipstick check would have been good too, Chemical Sniff test of coolant.....personally no way would I consider purchasing it. Is it worth the risk with so many on sale?

 

[jakejwr]

As an owner of MG's I wouldn't touch it. It could well be condensation depends on amount of Mayo, dipstick check would have been good too, Chemical Sniff test of coolant.....personally no way would I consider purchasing it. Is it worth the risk with so many on sale?

My thinking is that it makes sense it would be condensation because a) it's at a dealership where it would only be driven in short spurts and b) it has only done 3k p/y for the last couple of years.

Is it plausible that it would be a head gasket failure if it's been well maintained and there are no other symptoms?

 

[Verminator]

It's a sign of water ingres and would walk away with no shadow of a doubt

 

[Pedro]

Lots of cars on a garage forecourt probably have this engine condensate in the rocker cover & a majority of dealers will drop the oil out once they sell the car as per the car has been serviced so buyers won't see it mine had it during Covid lockdown once it was over I gave the car a good thrashing on a long run getting it red hot & it eventually disappeared I doubt its the gasket blown I would check the cleanliness of the coolant to make sure take it for a test drive & watch the temp gauge the sludge can be attributed to the the engine not getting hot enough with short runs the main culprit if there is a full mechanical warranty this should cover any problems with the head gasket issues once your using it regularly

 

[Percival]

My thinking is that it makes sense it would be condensation because a) it's at a dealership where it would only be driven in short spurts and b) it has only done 3k p/y for the last couple of years.

Is it plausible that it would be a head gasket failure if it's been well maintained and there are no other symptoms?

roll the dice.......as said loads on the market go and view a few more and get another one. Most Warranties offered by 3rd Parties by Car Dealers are not worth the paper they are written on.......We can all hypothesise....your money chap your choice. Good luck.

 

[neilgsxr69]

It’s common on these engines when run in short journeys mine was the same when I bought it also my wife had a Mini Cooper S with same engine and was the same but once driven for any length of time doesn’t return.