Morris Minor Owners Club

I was topping up the oil yesterday and noted for the first time ever, that there was some white gungy stuff around the filler cap in the rocker cover - I believe to be known colloquially as \'mayonnaise\'. Am I right in thinking that this is caused by damp weather? If so, I can see why it\'s appeared.

However, is it a problem - and will it damage my car? - Or, what does it tell about the engine?

Cheers.

Just wipe it away - if really botherd - take the rocker cover off and wipe it clean inside. It is caused by wet weather/short runs/cold engine. Possible cures are - move to warm country/drive long journeys/fit a higher temp thermostat (88 ideal for winter) and/or blank off part of the grille!
Also make sure the breather pipe from rocker cover to air cleaner is not blocked.

It's common in Winter, but if it occurs in summer, then worry about where it's coming from.
Good point abut breathers - there'll be more damp in the engine if they're not working.

OK, thanks - so nothing really to worry about. I was fairly sure of the cause from reading other posts, but am glad to find out it's not really going to damage the engine.

The engine does seem to run very cold even after running for a while - it seldom reaches more than 75 degrees now it's colder; it warms up a bit when driving faster, but nothing significant. Again, is this something to be concerned about - i.e. would it be worth me getting hold of a radiator blind - or should I just leave it?

My battery has been going flat as well - I presume because of the fact that I'm running the lights a lot because of the darkness, and also the cold. The battery was last replaced in 2004. How long can I expect it to last before it becomes exhausted?

As above - an 88 degree thermostat will improve engine heat - and heater efficiency! Battery going flat - is it a dynamo ? Is the fan belt tight ? If dynamo - then try to minimise headlight use - ie in town/stopped in traffic etc etc also NOT sitting with foot on brake pedal/wipers bashing away when stopped - that sort of thing. Battery can last many many years if the engine starts easily (no long churning!) and is kept well charged. Life also depends on quality of battery in the first place!

How long are your journeys?

Batery life is an unknown quantity. I have changed batteries older than 10 years and younger than 2 weeks.

I just put an 88 in and it's a lot better than my previous 82! Nice warm heater now

A 92 deg stat is even better, I fitted one a few winters ago, fully expecting to have to refit the 82 or 88 in the summer but I have never had any overheating problems with it and have a heater that can toast crumpets!

Excellent -I hesitate to suggest the 92 - incase it is just too hot - but seems not!

Well I expected the 92 to be too hot once the weather got better. I carried the 88 and a gasket in the boot just in case, but so far its been fine with the 92.

Thanks for advice. Unfortunately, it only gets short drives at the moment - to work and back, and the occasional longer journey (although this is mainly in the dark at the moment). As suggested, I always turn headlamps off in traffic jams and don't sit still with wipers going/fan blowing. I guess the cold temperatures do not help either. Indeed, I do have a dynamo.

Last year - when I did a paper round every morning - it used to get a nice long charge, and a chance to heat up properly, every morning for about an hour. Now I don't do that anymore - and it's taken its toll!

Will consider fitting a different thermostat, but if the white stuff is not detrimental then I may just leave the status quo - and clean out the gack as necessary.

Well - a stat is cheap and easy to fit - and makes a world of difference to the heater!