What does pale brown sludge under the oil cap usually mean? I have a lot. Car seems fine otherwise. Isn't this a sign of a blown head gasket?

It can be condensation accumulating on the inside of the rocker cover. Check your radaitor for a water level drop or oil contamination as this would indicate head gasket or cracked head. If it is a head gasket then they are simple as to do.

Water level was down a bit. No evidence of oil contamination oil water. The car leaks a lot of oil from somewhere - possibly from the head?

Hi SunnyDaze

Yes check the Radiator for loss of coolant and color of it, or else have you done your oil change regularly on it .Dirty oil also make brown color sludge if you don't change it on time

thanks
Regards
sumith

Could be a head gasket..
Easiest way to check is to drop the oil from the engine....
If there is an 'cream' colouring then its a fair bet the gaskets cooked..
Easy to replace thou... Just make sure to check for corrosion within the galleries before refitting...

got somebody to do tee-kay head check.done throw the radiator,check for CO in cooling system.cheers

Can also be a poorly functioning crankcase ventilation system. Check if the PCV valve or hoses are restricted or blocked.
Can also be from an engine that does a LOT of cold running - short trips etc and possibly a water thermostat that is stuck open or missing.

It does do a lot of short trips - so maybe that has something to do with it.