I'm about to do a tune up and was wondering what causes and how to fix white crud in your engine? I took the oil cap off only to find white creamy crud under the cap. I've read posts on this before tried search but I swear the search function is on drugs cause nothing came up. Anyways any pointers, tips or anything at all is helpful.

thanks

Zack

Have a read of this thread Zack , http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33214

It can also be a sign of a blown head gasket but if everything else seems ok (no oil in radiator , no bubbles in radiator etc ) then it's likely to be the cold wet weather condensation .

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A vented cap helps too if you don't already have one.

I filled up the radiator the other day and it bubbled so you reckon a gasket?? I had thought this but as I wasn't sure I thought I'd better post. Temperature has been fairly high too.

It's a 1098, I find they are the worst for it...
Crappy ventilation...
Take it for a good long run at speed, if it goes away it's nothing.
Depends how cold the motor runs, it takes temperature to evaporate the moisture. Maybe there's no thermostat or it's stuck open.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Sure sounds like it could be the gasket.

Have radiator pressure tested.
Compression test engine.

Good luck

Bubbled as you put the coolant in without the motor running (just an air lock most likely) or small bubbles while the engines idling with the cap off ?

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Bubbled as i poured and afterwards then settled down. I've checked the hoses and as far as i can see no leaking. Cold temperature is not my problem its a few mm from H. When I drove out to him out the motorway it was almost touching the H sitting on 100km/h along. So I dunno I'm guessing gasket. I will investigate further with Dad and let you know what I find out.

Doc as for the comment about the thermostat it ain't got one atm putting in a new one soon. This i realise would add to the symptoms.

If getting that hot wothout a thermostat you better get the radiator overhauled dude...
Cost me $80 at Blacktown Radiators. other places are dearer/cheaper. Well worth it.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I reckon your right kev regarding the radiator. I'll go price it wednesday on my day off.

Now the white crud seems only to appear under the oil cap so I'm thinking all is good. I did a compression test and reset the gap on the plugs and cleaned them up, checked the dwell, got out the timing light and adjust it accordingly, changed the idle speed, points, ripped off the rocker cover and checked to see if teh crud was there and no it wasn't thankfully. So now all that's left IMO is check the A?F and do a radiator overhaul.

Thanks everyone for your impute and I know have some reading as dad pulled out this "Hawk" tune up guide book and various other bits and pieces and he now to my knowledge has more gadgets to make tune up s easier like this tacho/dwell/points/amp/volts metre. SO I'm constantly learning about Mini's and also what a horder my dad is with gadgets and tools.

THANKS!

If it's mostly gone now, it's NOT the head gasket. Probably it developed all the mayo due to those short trips by the PO.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Well yeah you're probably right there she did only do short trips and drove sooo cautiously.

I drove to my mates place last night after i tuned my 1100 and I'm completely astounded with the difference in the way he drives now. He's a very happy camper and I'm sure once I check the A/F he'll love it even more. The best bit is ignition didn't need to tap the accelerator or anything first time start even this morning at 630am whir whir start no accelerator, no choke, just whir whir start. It's amazing the difference a good tune can do. I'm very happy and I'm learning more each day about a-series and my new Mini.