Head Gasket Time?

Nasty sludge in oil filler cap of 2lt zetec

More than average white smoke on start up
Some oil dripping out of the exhaust collector

Sounds like the H/G is on the way mate. Any sign of it pressuring the cooling system if so I cant reccomend an exhaust gas detector kit enough ! very good bit of kit.

One experience I had with the cosworth engine. It had similair symptoms as yours and was only drawing water into the cylinder and not pressurising. After changing the headgasket twice I discovered some corrosion on the head face near to the fire ring that turned out to be the cause.

Thanks Ian

It has not been given a good run since October, my only hope is that it is a build up of condensation.

I will give it a blat down the road next week and see what happens