Bad head gasket or condensation? Help!

[Olivereric423]

I recently noticed this goo in my expy's oil cap. I immediately assumed the worst and thought bad head gasket or warped head. After a little research, I decided it could possibly be moisture from short drives and cold weather. My exhaust smokes when I first start it and even into it warming up but it's usually only bad the first minute or so after starting it. I changed my oil a few days ago and the old oil looked just as it should, not milky or odd colored in any way. The dip stick also looks just as it should with no milky color, it is only the cap. I only drive about 20 minutes total a day during the week. 10 to work at night and 10 home in the morning, so both drives it is usually pretty cold out as well. I bought this car less than a year ago and it's always had a bit of light smoke on colder days so I never thought much of it. I do have an intermittent code for a catalytic converter which I plan on replacing very soon, but not sure if they're connected in any way. It is a 2015 Expedition XLT 4 wheel drive. I'm fairly young and never learned much about vehicles growing up, so any help or knowledge is really appreciated!

Picture added to see the gunk after 3 days of driving.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I recently noticed this goo in my expy's oil cap. I immediately assumed the worst and thought bad head gasket or warped head. After a little research, I decided it could possibly be moisture from short drives and cold weather. My exhaust smokes when I first start it and even into it warming up but it's usually only bad the first minute or so after starting it. I changed my oil a few days ago and the old oil looked just as it should, not milky or odd colored in any way. The dip stick also looks just as it should with no milky color, it is only the cap. I only drive about 20 minutes total a day during the week. 10 to work at night and 10 home in the morning, so both drives it is usually pretty cold out as well. I bought this car less than a year ago and it's always had a bit of light smoke on colder days so I never thought much of it. I do have an intermittent code for a catalytic converter which I plan on replacing very soon, but not sure if they're connected in any way. It is a 2015 Expedition XLT 4 wheel drive. I'm fairly young and never learned much about vehicles growing up, so any help or knowledge is really appreciated!

Picture added to see the gunk after 3 days of driving.

From afar, the cap underside looks normal for short trips in cold weather.

Light exhaust smoke on colder days is probably condensation burning off in the exhaust system.

Perhaps clean the cap off good and see if it returns?

 

[Olivereric423]

From afar, the cap underside looks normal for short trips in cold weather.

Light exhaust smoke on colder days is probably condensation burning off in the exhaust system.

Perhaps clean the cap off good and see if it returns?

I did clean it yesterday morning when I took the picture and this morning there was some more on it, but again I drove from work back home and that was less than 10 minutes apart. It went several days with nothing before yesterday though

 

[jpritter]

Just need to drive it a little longer on your trips to and from work. Normal condensation for short winter trips.

 

[rslynes]

Yeah, I drive mine for at least 30 minutes once a week when it's below 20 degrees.

Cooks off all the moisture, especially in the exhaust.