[CYL]

I found today that there is some white (milky) substance inside the coolant reservoir.
Since the car has overheating issue before, will it be a sign of blown head gasket?
Milky coolant = engine oil mixing with coolant, right?
There must be something wrong but I just need some more thoughts of what could be wrong.
Many thanks.

FYI
Few month ago, engine overheat, thermostat leaking, and faulty injectors.
Coolant was drained & filled, replaced thermostat, injectors, water pump already.
BMW dealership compression test the car and was ok at that time.

[recce]

Spot on....

[CYL]

I read some occasions that:
Oil could be there due to new parts being installed such as water pump and thermostat

I have checked and there isn't any milky engine oil BUT some people saying that since the oil pressure is higher than coolant pressure, oil in coolant but no coolant in oil is also possible;

Some saying that it could be leaking from oil cooler;

Anyway, there must be something wrong, I have booked a time on Thu to get my car inspected by BMW dealer (still under 3 months statutory warranty).
Hopefully they will really do something serious but not just empty and refill the coolant.

***I am quite worried since the engine overheat in June. Overheat contributes to blown head gasket (HG) even people said tht blown HG is rare.
But I haven't got any loss of coolant/engine oil as yet, nor white smoke coming from the exhaust.

[Coupes33]

I had the same happen to my Beemer several years ago. It was from oil leaking through the seal on the oil filter housing. I would suggest replacing them.

[CYL]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I had the same happen to my Beemer several years ago. It was from oil leaking through the seal on the oil filter housing. I would suggest replacing them.

I guessed mine had a leak from there prior I bought the car, have got the dealer to replaced the oil filter housing gasket for me last month.
Have you got any milky engine oil at that time? Or just like me, only milky coolant?

[JASE335]

I purchased a 2008 335i last month and had oil in the coolant during a pre purchase inspection with Advan. It was like someone had poured a choc thick shake into the radiator expansion tank. I had water pump, thermostat and oil filter housing gasket all replaced 5 min after purchase of car and problem has not returned. Peter from Advan also advised replacing water hoses as oil could have degraded the rubber. Hope this helps.

[CYL]

Originally Posted by McDrift

I purchased a 2008 335i last month and had oil in the coolant during a pre purchase inspection with Advan. It was like someone had poured a choc thick shake into the radiator expansion tank. I had water pump, thermostat and oil filter housing gasket all replaced 5 min after purchase of car and problem has not returned. Peter from Advan also advised replacing water hoses as oil could have degraded the rubber. Hope this helps.

A chic thick shake!?
You still bought the car??
If it's a blown head gasket, it would cost you a lot to fix.
Did Peter tell you what's the cause to the chic milk shake? Where did the engine oil go into the cooling system?

[CYL]

By the way, I just checked the reservoir again, when I pulled the floating rod up, it seems like the whole bottom part of it is white in colour. And maybe that's why I saw the milky colour from the opening. Lol

But my previous 325 doesn't, when I look into the reservoir, there isn't any part being white in colour.

Is the 335 float rod white in colour? Can anyone confirm with his?

Anyway, will still get the car inspected by dealer. It's free, better checked by BMW technician, and I will have a free loan car anyway, why not.
Enjoying the last 2 weeks of the statutory warranty.

[Scotty89]

depends on your reservoir bottle, but yes, mine is red stalk with a white float.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by CYL

I guessed mine had a leak from there prior I bought the car, have got the dealer to replaced the oil filter housing gasket for me last month.
Have you got any milky engine oil at that time? Or just like me, only milky coolant?

The oil was going into the coolant and making it milky. There was no coolant in the oil.

[CYL]

Thanks.
Glad that there is someone who can confirm his floating rod too.
yes, it seems like the milky colour is caused by the white floating material.

Wasn't white in colour in my previous 325i, so, when I saw this on my 335, my first thought is "milky coolant "

But the coolant isn't at MAX level, sitting quite low even the dealer just drained and refilled the coolant in May 2015, still no harm to bring the car to the dealer to have an inspection, just before the statutory warranty finishes next week.

[Boganian Rubes]

Your car seems to be on a strict diet of milky way

[335iDCT]

Originally Posted by CYL

Thanks.
Glad that there is someone who can confirm his floating rod too.
yes, it seems like the milky colour is caused by the white floating material.

Wasn't white in colour in my previous 325i, so, when I saw this on my 335, my first thought is "milky coolant "

But the coolant isn't at MAX level, sitting quite low even the dealer just drained and refilled the coolant in May 2015, still no harm to bring the car to the dealer to have an inspection, just before the statutory warranty finishes next week.

So have you found out what exactly the problem was? I have the same issue, same situation as the photos you took.

[Flex68]

Mine was slightly like due to leaking ofhg

[CYL]

It's just the colour of the bottom part of the floating rod for this occasion.

[MightyMouseTech]

Nothing "milky" in those pics.