I have a 1998 Ford Ka. On checking the oil filler cap there was a bit of gunk like yellow mayo inside. I am also losing a little engine coolant. Some say it could be the head gasket and some say it s normal because i only use the car on short journeys. How do I know which is right???

Kerry B, March 2009

KERRY ASK YOUR GARAGE TO CHECK THE ENGINE BREATHER SYSTEM AS A BLOCKAGE OR PARTIAL BLOCKAGE WILL CAUSE THE OIL TO EMULSIFY AT THE FILLER CAP

RALPH, March 2009

Thanks Nigel will go to a garage today and get them to check it out for me.

Kerry B, March 2009

Hi Kerry, if you are only doing short journeys the salad cream junge could be from condensation in the engine mixing with the oil as the engine is not getting hot enough too evapourate the condensation, the only way to find out for certain is to either have the compression tested or get a garage to do a "sniff test" on the expansion bottle, if the gasket has failed the fluid will turn fom blue to yellow

nigel, March 2009