1998 406glx 2.0 petrol - oil leak?

[daddypugwash]

I think my 406 is a a bit unwell. I replaced the idle valve/stepper motor in October last year, however the problem has returned - rev counter goes nuts as everytime you stop a juntion and the engine normally stalls after a 30 seconds. Granted that I fitted a cheapo after market motor but I think it should have lasted more than 12 months and 3k miles. Since last year the car has run really well, no problems and it passed it's MOT in August.

I went to whip the stepper motor out on Saturday morning. However, decided against it as after removing the air pipe running to the throttle I found a whole load of cream coloured sludge in the air filter pipe where it joins to the throttle housing. My hands were also covered in an oily substance (not just normal engine dirt) after touching anything around the rear of the throttle housing and air pipe. Removing the oil filler cap revealed more of same coloured sludge on the underside of the cap. Car seems to drive OKish, perhaps not as willing as normal but that could be down to the stepper motor. The car has covered 106k miles and mostly short journeys (so wondering if the sludge is caused by condensation)

I am guessing that I have some kind of fluid leak - apart from the head gasket, any ideas? Could problems with idling be related to a leak? Thoughts appreciated. Have arranged for the car Doctor to see it on Tuesday week, however, hoping other owners may be able to give me some ideas before hand!

[mjb]

Sounds like the head gasket to me... The presence of emulsified oil in your air intake will be from the oil breather

[daddypugwash]

Head gasket seems like the obvious candidate. Any ideas on how much I should be paying an independent Car Dr. for the job? Thanks

[jasper5]

I would clean out all the sludge and gunge from all the pipework as well as cleaning the throttle body before thinking about doing anything else.
If you have no water loss then head gasket is unlikely...condensation is the most likely reason for the cream coloured sludge, especially if you mostly do short journeys.