RE: blown head gasket

["Bob Rossato" <bob.rossato@worldnet.att.net>]

> > BTW, the oil didn't look like it had any water in it
> > although I do have a small amount of white goo under the
> > valve cover cap lately.
>
> Huh? White goo? Is this seen when you lift the oil filler
> cap from the valve cover, there is a splash plate over the
> cam (well, I think that is it since my backyard mech was
> fixing another 200 and he lifted off the cap to reveal the
> cam whereas on mine there seems to be a cover over the cam
> and under the valve cover), on my 200 the thing is a kind
> of cloudy white colour, looks real filthy. I have to top up

The oil baffle prevents oil being splashed around by the cam from getting
sucked up by the crankcase breather in the valve cover and ending up in the
air filter.  However, because the underside of the valve cover is not
getting continually washed down with the oil, condensation forms during the
cold winter months resulting in a nice gooey mess.  Looks like butterscotch
pudding, though it doesn't quite taste the same.  Goes away in the warm
weather.

Bob Rossato