Frothy Oil On Oil Cap After Headgasket Replacement

[asamaan]

Hey Guys,

It's been a while since I posted here, but I finally got around to replacing the headgasket on the 95 850 NA after more than a year in my garage. It took me a long time to get it all back together as I was trying to be as careful as I can. I am having a problem though, I buttoned it up this morning and ran it and drove it around the block a few times. I looked under the oil cap and I can see some foamy oil. I filled the coolent system with water only for now, as I need to do a complete flush on it. The car runs fine, no overheating, stays right in the middle but I still get this gunk under the oil cap. Also I noticed that after running for a while, when I try to start it, it won't start, I have to wait for it to cool down a little in order to start it again.

I had gotten the head milled when it was off since the car got the headgasket blown from overheating. Since the car runs and doesn't overheat, does that mean the headgasket installation was ok, and I just need to replace the oil again, or is there a chance that the headgasket installation was a failure? I don't want to spend any more money on it or effort if the headgasket that I replaced was not working properly.

I followed the procedure in the Volvo 850 PDF repair manual specifically all the torque settings for the head. I hope to hear from the many expers that are hear and hope that I don't have to get rid of the car because it is not repaired.

Thanks,

Albert

[tca217]

Sounds like you did the head gasket job correct otherwise I think you would be running hot again. The funky oil under the cap sounds like residule moisture or water that was in the crankcase after you put everything back together. If it was me I would do a oil and filter change and see what happens, As long as there is no oil in the water and visa versa and it is not over-heating, you should be ok( as long as the dip-stick and oil cap doesn't get all milky again). The part about not starting when warm is kind of weird unless your battery happens to be weak or there is a dirty or corroded ground strap somewhere. Make sure all the grounds are connected and clean and you should be set to go. Hope this is some help.

[asamaan]

Thanks Tca217,

I have been pretty busy but I finally got around to check on the car this weekend. I decided to flush the radiator, run the car and check on the oil after that. I also replaced the flame trap. After running the car for more than 2 hours, on and off, it reaches normal temps with no overheating and no more milk shake on the oil dipstick or cap. I will replace the oil and filter sometime this week, but I believe all is good, it might have been some left over moister from before just like you mentioned.

As for the starting issue when hot, I found a thread on the forum about the same issue, I will check my fuel injection relay and fuel pump relay and go from there. The car cranks but won't start, so my best guess it is fuel realted.

Thanks again,

Albert