car problem - oil

[Dave20046]

No one could give me a bit of advice about me cage (2002 golf -petrol) could they? Potentially about to get stranded miles from home.

On my drive to work this morning the oil light came on and started flashing, stopped and checked the oil (I'd topped it up about a week ago) and found the dip stick caked in thick white mush. I'm assuming this means moisture in the oil?
However the fact it prompted the oil light to come on worries me and the fact it was literally caked the full length of the dip stick, and everytime I wiped it and re dipped it did the same so there must be a lot. I put in a fair bit of oil just to try and help the oil to gunge ratio, but a bit worried my oil is mostly water and I'm going to seize the bugger. Any helps?
Is there any quick fix or am I going to have to drop the oil and refill asap?

Cheers in advance for any help.

sounds like it could be the cylinder head on the way out

Although, when I have had one go, the water ends up in with the oil.

Whats the water like in your car?

I'd suspect more than just moisture if the light came on - check your manual to make sure it isn't warning you about a pressure problem and the white goo is your coolant mixing with the oil. I'd have a think about walking home too tonight

[Dave20046]

feck

I'll check the coolant level before I set off and see how far I get, no car no work
See what the manual says about 'flashing oil lamp...light'

cheers guys

Moisture in the oil is not uncommon in this weather, but the oil light coming on is worrying.

[the_lone_wolf]

Has the oil level risen?

[fizzwheel]

Smell the coolant as well, check for fuel / oil in the coolant bottle. Check for mayonaise or gunk on the coolant bottle cap and also check for similar on the oil filler cap as well.

Might just be as simple as head gasket on it way out or gone. But if your dipstick has thick white mush on it it sounds a little more serious than that.

If your going to drive it keep an eye on the engine temperature as well as checking the oil light doesnt come on again.

Personally I'd not drive it very far if at all...

Sounds like you have a big problem, maybe a head gasket faliure or soemthing. If the oil light is coming on, then that would indicate low pressure or something? Drain the oil and see how much comes out; i think the sump capacity is 4 litres, so assuming you dont loose any oil, you shouldnt have more than 4 litres.

How long had the engine been running before the light came on and you checking the oil? I dont think you should be using the car, you could be risking extensive damage to the engine.

[Richie]

Whats the SG reading of the Coolant...?
I know it not oil retaliated but if your engine has frozen you might have pushed out a core plug.

when the engine is cool, take off the coolant header cap, start the engine, If the Coolant pulsates noticeably then your head gasket / cylinder lining has gone.

[Dave20046]

cheers for your help guys
Light came on after 15 minutes it was the low oil pressure light. I stopped and topped up oil and it's not reappeared (done 3 miles). coolant's fine, not gone down, no pulsing no discolouration. Drives fine. Just gunky dipstick