Is this coolant in my oil? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

JLiusifer · 01-23-2013, 01:16 AM

So I was checking my oil level through on my dash and I noticed I was a little low on oil (In between low and full level). So when I got home I decided to top it off. But after I twisted off the oil cap I noticed that there was yellow/white gunk. This is the first time i've ever seen this. This is not coolant is it??? I have an extended warranty thru BMW. Do you think i should bring this in? Is this normal?

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3142184f.jpg

index1489 · 01-23-2013, 01:38 AM

Looks like what happens when lots of condensation gets mixed with the oil due to cold weather and short trips in the oil separator.

Given that the oil cap is one of the highest parts of the engine, you'll find this residue collected around the oil cap.

You could take it in for peace of mind, but they will probably just tell you its condensation, and drive the car longer, vs short trips where it builds up.

Has it been freezing cold in Minn?

If your head gasket was blown you would have got a low coolant warning a long time ago.

ctuna · 01-23-2013, 01:43 AM

A picture of whats under the cover.

you might compare things to the pictures in this thread.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=627435

picture in #4 is what a car in good condition should
look like.

Have it checked both with BMW and a Indy .
You could send a sample into Blackstone.

rdeterman · 01-23-2013, 02:00 AM

just condensation... no big deal clean it off and move on

Sethism · 01-23-2013, 08:13 AM

Must be winter. Normal.

David1 · 01-23-2013, 10:25 AM

drive it harder and longer

achien · 01-23-2013, 10:57 AM

This is not normal. You should bring it into the dealer ASAP.

Too much moisture could tear the seal on one of your gaskets. This would result in a huge repair bill.

BTW, do you drive short distance frequently? (short distance == engine never had a chance to reach operating temperature).

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLiusifer

So I was checking my oil level through on my dash and I noticed I was a little low on oil (In between low and full level). So when I got home I decided to top it off. But after I twisted off the oil cap I noticed that there was yellow/white gunk. This is the first time i've ever seen this. This is not coolant is it??? I have an extended warranty thru BMW. Do you think i should bring this in? Is this normal?

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3142184f.jpg

JLiusifer · 01-23-2013, 04:39 PM

I've been getting mixed messages. I drive about 60 city/ 40 hwy.....

07lilredwagon · 01-23-2013, 11:37 PM

look down into the valve cover through the oil fill hole....if the whole insides of the cover are gunked up with residue...its excessive even for condensation....in which case it should be checked out. (indy.....)

If not, and its isolated to the cap area...and you check it every couple of days....you should be okay....

JP

Dark_Knight_335 · 01-23-2013, 11:41 PM

Perfect opportunity for an oil catch can.

index1489 · 01-24-2013, 01:32 AM

Not sure why BMW doesn't install one from the factory... the added drag of emptying it must be a drag for the owners, at the expensive of a much cleaner engine.

RequestTheOverhead · 01-24-2013, 06:25 AM

As others have said, it's most likely condensation in the oil. Happens when the oil temp is not getting up above 212* F during driving before turning the engine off. An easy test is to wipe off the cap and then go drive for a while to warm up the oil to the normal operating temp (230-240). Then check the cap as soon as you park it. Should be clean still. The cap will be worse on some days then others depending on the ambient humidity and how often you drive then car the previous day. This is all pretty normal for cars that drive "up north".... I lived in North Dakota for 6.5 years and dealt with every winter.

Built My Way · 01-24-2013, 07:55 AM

When was the last time you had an oil change? My pre-owned Jeep Grand Cherokee had the same issue when I bought it. I've always made it a point to change the oil in my vehicles every 4500 miles (7000 kms) or so and the Jeep has never had this problem since. My 335i oil cap is as clean as a whistle too.

JLiusifer · 01-25-2013, 03:39 PM

I changed my oil 2 months ago. I will try wiping the cap and check again...This is the 1st time ive ever seen something like this before.

Jefarne · 01-25-2013, 05:05 PM

You might also check the coolant reservoir. If you see a brown slime in there it could just be that the oil filter housing gasket has failed. Usually it will end up seeping oil into the coolant, but it can also seep into the oil system. These gasket fail pretty regularly, the gasket cost about ten bucks at the dealer and is a DIY in less than an hour if you have an 8mm ratchet wrench. That seems like an awful lot of condensation build up to me. Dig deeper before this cost you a vanos rebuild or worse. That's my two cents. Hope that helps!

millseyent · 02-25-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLiusifer

So I was checking my oil level through on my dash and I noticed I was a little low on oil (In between low and full level). So when I got home I decided to top it off. But after I twisted off the oil cap I noticed that there was yellow/white gunk. This is the first time i've ever seen this. This is not coolant is it??? I have an extended warranty thru BMW. Do you think i should bring this in? Is this normal?

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3142184f.jpg

Did you do any more investigation on this?? My cap looks exactly like that.

Surly73 · 02-25-2013, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millseyent

Did you do any more investigation on this?? My cap looks exactly like that.

It's a water emulsion from short trips and cold weather. It condenses out at the cap because it's the coolest point in the system.

01-23-2013, 01:16 AM	#1
JLiusifer New Member Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17 iTrader: (0)	Is this coolant in my oil? So I was checking my oil level through on my dash and I noticed I was a little low on oil (In between low and full level). So when I got home I decided to top it off. But after I twisted off the oil cap I noticed that there was yellow/white gunk. This is the first time i've ever seen this. This is not coolant is it??? I have an extended warranty thru BMW. Do you think i should bring this in? Is this normal? http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3142184f.jpg
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01-23-2013, 01:38 AM	#2
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	Looks like what happens when lots of condensation gets mixed with the oil due to cold weather and short trips in the oil separator. Given that the oil cap is one of the highest parts of the engine, you'll find this residue collected around the oil cap. You could take it in for peace of mind, but they will probably just tell you its condensation, and drive the car longer, vs short trips where it builds up. Has it been freezing cold in Minn? If your head gasket was blown you would have got a low coolant warning a long time ago. __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+ Last edited by index1489; 01-23-2013 at 01:44 AM.

01-23-2013, 01:43 AM	#3
ctuna Colonel Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca Posts: 2,743 iTrader: (0)	I think we need a better picture. A picture of whats under the cover. you might compare things to the pictures in this thread. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=627435 picture in #4 is what a car in good condition should look like. Have it checked both with BMW and a Indy . You could send a sample into Blackstone. Last edited by ctuna; 01-23-2013 at 01:49 AM.

01-23-2013, 10:25 AM	#6
David1 Colonel Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City With No Room For Ludicris Speed! Posts: 2,123 iTrader: (0)	drive it harder and longer __________________ 2009 335i CoupeLBM - Black Dakota/Glacier aluminum-6spd\|Nav\|M-Sport\|Premium\|Logic7\|Heated Seats\|CA\|BMW Performance Suspension & M3 Control Arms\|M3 lip spoiler 2009 X5 3.0-AW-Black Dakota/Bamboo\|Premium\|Tech\|Cold Weather\|Ipod Rear Climate\| 07 335 coupe - Sold 07 X3 - Sold

01-23-2013, 11:41 PM	#10
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 5,549 iTrader: (17)	Perfect opportunity for an oil catch can. __________________ Assorted E9x bushings, 200$ local pickup or 225$ shipped! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2#post13995632

01-23-2013, 02:00 AM	#4
rdeterman Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335i Coupe 6mt Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 255 iTrader: (1)	just condensation... no big deal clean it off and move on __________________ JB4 G5 ISO W/BMS FLASH, FBO, Walbro LPFP, Spec S2+ SMFW

01-23-2013, 08:13 AM	#5
Sethism Private First Class Drives: 2009 328i Xdrive Coupe Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: St Louis Posts: 123 iTrader: (0)	Must be winter. Normal.

01-23-2013, 04:39 PM	#8
JLiusifer New Member Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17 iTrader: (0)	I've been getting mixed messages. I drive about 60 city/ 40 hwy.....

01-23-2013, 11:37 PM	#9
07lilredwagon Lieutenant Drives: 07 328 wagon Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 410 iTrader: (0)	look down into the valve cover through the oil fill hole....if the whole insides of the cover are gunked up with residue...its excessive even for condensation....in which case it should be checked out. (indy.....) If not, and its isolated to the cap area...and you check it every couple of days....you should be okay.... JP

01-24-2013, 01:32 AM	#11
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	Not sure why BMW doesn't install one from the factory... the added drag of emptying it must be a drag for the owners, at the expensive of a much cleaner engine. __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+

01-24-2013, 06:25 AM	#12
RequestTheOverhead Going Mach Chicken Drives: e90 pre-LCI 335 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 99 iTrader: (1) Garage List '98 Honda Superhawk ... [0.00] 2007 BMW 335xi [4.00]	As others have said, it's most likely condensation in the oil. Happens when the oil temp is not getting up above 212* F during driving before turning the engine off. An easy test is to wipe off the cap and then go drive for a while to warm up the oil to the normal operating temp (230-240). Then check the cap as soon as you park it. Should be clean still. The cap will be worse on some days then others depending on the ambient humidity and how often you drive then car the previous day. This is all pretty normal for cars that drive "up north".... I lived in North Dakota for 6.5 years and dealt with every winter. __________________ '07 335xi, Alpine White \| Cold, "Sport", and Luxury packages \| Tinted \| OEM Black Lines \| JB4 \| DCI \| ER FMIC \| Forge DV's \| Custom exhaust with secondary cat delete, Magnaflow mufflers, black Dimisa Tips \| Staggered 18" V718's, Matte Black \| Flappy Paddles \| Titanium CF Trim Wrap \| BMW Performance Shifter and E-Brake Handle \|

01-24-2013, 07:55 AM	#13
Built My Way Second Lieutenant Drives: Eats: Sleeps: Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The Surly Maritimes Posts: 276 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i e90 [3.75]	When was the last time you had an oil change? My pre-owned Jeep Grand Cherokee had the same issue when I bought it. I've always made it a point to change the oil in my vehicles every 4500 miles (7000 kms) or so and the Jeep has never had this problem since. My 335i oil cap is as clean as a whistle too. __________________ 07 335i e90 ► TiAg w/ Black Int ► Sport/Premium/Winter► Michelin PSS► Blackout Trim► Matte Black Grille►LUX v5.1► 20% Tint► Logic 7► HPB Interior LEDs

01-25-2013, 03:39 PM	#14
JLiusifer New Member Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17 iTrader: (0)	I changed my oil 2 months ago. I will try wiping the cap and check again...This is the 1st time ive ever seen something like this before.

01-25-2013, 05:05 PM	#15
Jefarne Registered Drives: 2003 E39 / 2006 E90 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	You might also check the coolant reservoir. If you see a brown slime in there it could just be that the oil filter housing gasket has failed. Usually it will end up seeping oil into the coolant, but it can also seep into the oil system. These gasket fail pretty regularly, the gasket cost about ten bucks at the dealer and is a DIY in less than an hour if you have an 8mm ratchet wrench. That seems like an awful lot of condensation build up to me. Dig deeper before this cost you a vanos rebuild or worse. That's my two cents. Hope that helps!

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