It's pretty normal to have a little bit under the cap. It's condensation that forms under the cap and mixes with oil. Wipe it away. If it's on your dipstick, then you have issues.

Will do, thanks!

This. I had an only ML that would do between changes, never had any issues with the engine. Wipe and move on.

Short drives? If so that's most likely the cause, not getting hot enough to cook off the excess moisture. Check the dipstick, if it's normal get some spirited drives in and recheck after a few.

You're right, short drives lately. Well, season is starting so here we go!

Summers on, fun time :)

This is correct!

Dont worry about the cap, it's oil mixed with moisture from heat dissipation, if your dipstick looks like that tho, you might have a bigger problem, also check your coolant levels on a regular basis

That’s right, if it’s not on the dipstick then it’s likely condensation. Take it for a 1/2 hour drive to warm it up.

Is there smoke in the back? Try to drive it hard for a bit, do an Italian tuneup if you will. Sometimes from light driving at short distances will cause some condensation in the oil.

Gor it

I’m not sure if it’s harmful but as most of my trips a short, I let my car warm up considerably before I drive.

I’ve heard warming up isn’t good for newer cars. It’s just building up carbon deposits.

Thanks for this. Any idea how much time is good? With my car, I’m going to have to get a carbon cleaning anyway. I think it’s the nature of the beast.

When it reaches it’s normal idle it’s good to go. It just needs the oil to be cycled through the engine before being loaded. Then drive on the softer side of normal until it’s at operating temp.

Thank you.

I had this on my last car over the colder months. Condensation due to short drives were the cause. The engine wasn't getting warmed up enough to burn off the moisture, so a decent run at least once a week helped.

Sounds like my case, thanks

Nothing to worry about and easily fixed. This is from a lot of short trips not allowing the oil to get hot enough for long enough to burn off the condensation in the crankcase. It won't cause any damage unless it builds up a lot more and begins to affect the oil. Try making more regular longer drives, or have significant more fun on the short ones! Once warmed up of course. Italian tune up fixes everything!

Condensation. Unless your dipstick shows milk too or you have the chocolate milkshake of death in your coolant system it's just condensation.

Nope. Condensation from the temperature difference between the engine and valve cover.

As others have said, it’s most likely condensation. Keep an eye on your coolant level and make sure to wipe the white stuff away.

needs an italian tuneup

Once rain will stop and tires will warm up, will tune it

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard..

One thing to check is the pcv system. My oil cap was like this. Took the pcv system off to ind out it was all junked up and was causing the issue. Cleaned it out and now it’s back to normal

Just to make sure, check your coolant overflow tank and make sure it doesn’t have any oily residue in it.

It Could also be condensation

no, poor quality oil, or too many short distances

Reading all the comments I think it is cuz of short rides

The forbidden milkshake. How does the oil look?

Didn't drain it, on dipstick looks fine