Goop on Dipstick

[Tihol Tiholov]

>
> I did actually take a 30-minute drive last night to visit friends, then 30
> minutes home. Looked under the filler cap this am and
> it is clean. Checked the oil and didn't see any more goop (checked 3
> times). Coolant level is unchanged (I do check that every
> weekend when I check the oil). So I am thinking that it was condensation,
> from having left the car sitting for over a week, then
> taking only a few short trips last week (my normal routine, as I work from
> home). I will monitor it this week and see what it looks
> like.
>

Happy ending indeed.
IME there's a difference between condensation - thicker and light yellow -
and coolant mixed in the oil - like chocolate milk. In your pic you
probably  scrubbed off some condensation from the top of the dipstick tube.
Many moons ago I had coolant in the oil on a 944 Porsche - came in through
the water/oil heater/cooler. Caught it early, changed the heater/cooler
seals, ran new cheap oil just for 5 mins or so, drained, again new oil and
all was well, no head gasket issues.
I have a 1.8t but it seems it has only the oil cooler, where the oil filter
attaches.
I have a '99 VW 2.0 with condensation under the oil cap due to mostly short
trips, 15-30 kms on weekdays, a bit more some weekends. 307K kms and runs
totally fine. I wipe it off and drive up the mountain I live on in lower
gear. Must change the thermostat - original as is the clutch.

-- 
Tihol