What is this creamy-coloured deposit around our Clio's oil filler?

There is a creamy coloured deposit in the oil filler of my wife's 2008 Clio 1.2TCE (26k miles). The water level and oil level are normal and the oil is a good colour. The car was serviced in December. There is a film of oil around the oil filler cap. Any ideas what this could be and is it serious?

Asked on 3 August 2013 by EB, via email

Answered by Honest John
It's emulsified oil. If the water content is no more than condensation from successive cold starts after which the engine did not get hot enough to evaporate off the condensation caused by the cold start, then not a serious problem. The mayonnaise will probably disappear over the summer. But if the coolant level drops then you may have a cylinder head gasket problem or a crack in the cylinder head water jacket, or a problem with the water-cooling system of the turbo.
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