Best way to combat short trips in cold weather

Well today the oil light came on after shutting off the car (normal thing, I top it off every 2-3k miles.) What I found under the oil cap was that awful chocolate milk looking junk. Some things about my car:
-Oil change every 7500 miles
-Never overheated
-VCG, Water Pump, Thermostat, Expansion Tank, Hoses, VANOS Seals have all been replaced. (I'm sure I'm missing some things but the car is pretty up to date.)
-Around 108k on the clock
-MOST trips in the car are less then 5 minutieus. Mon-Thurs I go to school on the other side of town so about 15 minuties each way, the rest is to work.
-I just moved, so these short trips have only been going on about a month to a month and a half now, beforehand it was 30 minuties each way, Monday through Friday.

The only thing I can think of is its time to replace the CCV and all the hoses that go along with it. I know this is the first time in the 2+ years of owning the car that I've seen this awful substance. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated. (The CCV and hoses are on order and shipping for the car SOON.)

Thanks guys.

Take a nice long trip with high revs once a week I guess.

Less than 5 minute trip time is part of the problem.

You should also read this thread - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15040914

You really need to make sure the engine coolant temps are getting to the proper level.

But 30+ minutes, some extended revs, highway speeds and a good thermostat are all part of the deal.

Originally Posted by jfoj

Less than 5 minute trip time is part of the problem.

You should also read this thread - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=15040914

You really need to make sure the engine coolant temps are getting to the proper level.

But 30+ minutes, some extended revs, highway speeds and a good thermostat are all part of the deal.

Thats what I was thinking but its really not possible to make most my trips into 30+ minute trips because of my schedule. Thermostat is OEM and coolant levels are solid. I think I may take SoliJakes advice and start with long trips with high revs once a week unless there is something else I can do.

walk

Originally Posted by dknightd

walk

or public transportation, in my opinion short trips in the cold were the car cant fully warm up should be avoided at all cost.

Once a week- let it warm up fully and drive it spiritedly.

Up to temperature and the length of time are the operative parameters.
Can't see how high revs are necessary.
You're looking to 'bake' the water out of the oil.

If you mean brown residue under the filler cap, then it's normal. I guess you won't really know till you pop that VCG off. There's pics around that depicts your concern. You may use as a reference.

I have the same issue. During the week my work commute is only about 5-10 minutes each way. Every weekend I take the car out for some spirited driving and I've never had "mayonnaise" under my oil cap.

buy a $500 junker for short drives

Leave 30min early then let it run idle

Originally Posted by mikeetastic

Leave 30min early then let it run idle

I disagree....letting it idle is a waste of time and money.

You are KILLING me. That is what the car is saying to YOU. The worse thing you can do to any auto is to run it for 5 minute trips. You are creating allot of pollutants and by-products (waste) in all systems that is just accumulating rather than burning off. And accumulating, accumulating. It is like you waking up in the morning and being in a daze for the first 30 seconds, but you are now operating for hours in a daze. Bad situation.
Solution--I do not know the exact mileage, but put on at least xx miles a day (ie 10) and as a BMW expert told me years ago, the car requires someone to drive it at least once a week on the highway at high speeds (ie 60 mph) for 30 minutes. Stop KILLING your car. I would never run a car that you do not operate at normal oper temps for at least 20 minutes each day. That is not asking to much, is it?

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Up to temperature and the length of time are the operative parameters.
Can't see how high revs are necessary.
You're looking to 'bake' the water out of the oil.

Of course. But facts don't matter here. The only thing that matters here is the alternate reality of the cult leaders and their lemmings.

Originally Posted by auto180sx

Thats what I was thinking but its really not possible to make most my trips into 30+ minute trips because of my schedule. Thermostat is OEM and coolant levels are solid. I think I may take SoliJakes advice and start with long trips with high revs once a week unless there is something else I can do.

Just because the thermostat is OEM means nothing.

Have you verified your thermostat is working corectly.

Most of these stats only last at most 2-3 years before they go soft and run cold!

If you did not read my link, you are missing the bus!

Report back your engine coolant temp once you have checked and verified it.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Can't see how high revs are necessary.

Probably should have been a bit more clear.

Not looking to redline the motor, looking to get the engine under a load more than in town driving. Heavier into the throttle, RPM's up above 4k, maybe drive on the highway for a bit 1 gear from top gear?

Heat up the oil by harder throttle, you actually can "super heat" the oil by heavily loading the engine. This is why oil temps rise quickly were tracking.

You may not see your oil temps go up much, but the oil does have to cool the cylinder walls and bearing surfaces and hard throttle wind up of the engine does quickly increase the oil temp as compared to just running around town.

Also the oil take anywhere from 1 1/2-3 times as lone to come up to temp as compared to the engine temp!

Originally Posted by ImolaSix

I have the same issue. During the week my work commute is only about 5-10 minutes each way. Every weekend I take the car out for some spirited driving and I've never had "mayonnaise" under my oil cap.

Same thing I do. My trip to work is only 10ish minutes each way. On the weekend I make sure I do some spirited highway driving. No mayo.

The chocolatey gunk under the cap may not mean much but I would be more concerned about freezing the CCV valve due to the short trips. But given that you live in KY where it doesn't get too cold, you might be ok. But at all costs, avoid parking the car after short trips when it's very cold or about to get very cold.. That's just asking for trouble..

Originally Posted by sammk

But given that you live in KY where it doesn't get too cold, you might be ok.

Just because KY appears to be in the South, you obviously do not know how cold KY can get at times!!!

Jet stream loves to dip South into KY out of CA and this along with the mountains and wind, KY can get GD COLD at times!!

Yes worry about CCV freezing, you do not want this. There are already half a dozen posts this week about CCV freezing and it is interesting how many keep forgetting about the CCV freezing.