Possible Causes:
* Fuel Injector Leak(s): This is a very common cause. A faulty fuel injector can leak fuel directly into the cylinder, which then gets past the piston rings and into the oil pan.
* Fuel Pressure Regulator Failure: The fuel pressure regulator controls fuel pressure in the fuel rail. A failure can cause excess fuel to leak into the intake manifold or even directly into the engine's crankcase.
* Cracked/Damaged Fuel Line: A crack or leak in a fuel line can allow fuel to seep into the engine compartment and potentially find its way into the oil. This is less likely to cause a thick, yellow sludge directly, but can still contribute.
* Faulty PCV Valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation): While less likely to cause a *yellow* sludge directly, a faulty PCV valve can allow excess pressure to build in the crankcase, which could mix with fuel contamination more easily, speeding the process. A stuck-closed valve is especially problematic.
What You Should Do:
1. Stop driving the car immediately. Continuing to drive with gasoline in the oil will severely damage your engine. The gasoline can wash away the oil's lubricating properties, leading to catastrophic engine failure.
2. Do NOT attempt to start the car again until the problem is diagnosed and fixed.
3. Have the oil and filter changed immediately by a qualified mechanic. This removes the contaminated oil, but doesn't fix the underlying problem.
4. Take your car to a qualified mechanic for diagnosis. They will need to inspect the fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel lines, and potentially perform a compression test to determine the exact source of the fuel leak.
Important Considerations:
* Severity: The thickness and color of the mixture indicate that the problem has likely been ongoing and may have already caused some damage.
* Cost: Repair costs can vary greatly depending on the cause and extent of the damage. A fuel injector replacement can be relatively inexpensive, but more extensive repairs could be costly.
Ignoring this problem will likely lead to a much more expensive repair or even engine replacement. Get your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. The sooner you address this, the better the chances of minimizing the damage.
