Blown head gasket?

[sktn77a]

Hi all: Woe is me! My daughter sent a nasty looking picture of the oil filler cap from her 2001 530i yesterday with a yellowish milky goo all over it. My first thought was "Oh, no, coolant in the oil!" That was the opinion of my local dealer also (I'm in NC, the car is with her in PA). She took it to a local mechanic in PA who thinks it's just "condensation" and needs a "breathing treatment". I'll get more information tonight after she talks with him again but anybody in the cold climates ever heard of this? FYI the CVV and secondary air pump were replaced last year.

Any experiences with similar observations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Keith
2001 530i 5spKeith
2001 530i 5sp

[JimLev]

in the winter time. The combustion process produces lots of water vapor that gets into the oil. The vapor condenses on the coldest parts of the engine (oil cap and valve cover).
The "breathing treatment" sounds like a way to extract money from unsuspecting people.
She should take it out on the highway, run it for 30+ miles and then have the oil and filter changed while the engine is still hot.

[JYGy2k5285spCT]

sometime moisture condenses on cap in cold weather.

Jay Gans 2000 528 MT Non-sport.Titanium Silver, Grey Leather. Premium Package, Cold Weather, Fold down seats. Oct 99 production.ash try mod so not bone stock. CD changer. Garmin C510 Nav..Honda CH150D scooter

[sktn77a]

Thanks, that's pretty much what the guy said - he also says the gunk is all the way through the CVV system and they need to replace the CCV, to, as it's gunked up (apparently, there was some in the dipstick tube also). The "breathing treatment" was to blow the gunk out of the hoses and other areas. Does all this sound Kosher? Will the 30 mile high speed trip get rid of all the gunk throughout wherever it is?

[vcondis]

My 97 528i does this every year in the winter and no reasonable amount of high speed driving "around town" gets rid of it, even 100 mile highway trips (but my car has the earlier 92c thermostat, maybe your newer car with higher temp thermostat will warm up sufficiently to evaporate the condensation in shorter distances). I usually drive short trips and it's always like that in the winter, it goes away as soon as spring weather comes. If the car is not throwing codes it maybe advisable to wait on the ccv to see if warmer weather clears it out, in extreme cases condensation in the ccv can freeze in it, but I live in Idaho and I am sure mine has had condensation in it every winter and it all clears up when spring hits.

[540sport]

Perhaps that it was he was offering, but I doubt it. Make sure the dealer actually replaces the hoses with the updated insulated hoses and other parts of the winter kit or cold weather breather kit. If not you will be guaranteeing him return business next winter for the same treatment.
Vin
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[sktn77a]

Thanks all. Based on the info from this site, and a couple of links to others, it seems like the problem is a water/oil emusion condensed on certain parts of the PCV system from running the car short distances in cold weather. I'll tell her to drive it on the highway for a decent distance in 4th gear and see if the gunk improves. I think the oil "breathing treatment" was, indeed, the cold weather CCV plus insulated hoses, but there seems to be little agreement if this will cure the problem.

Thanks again,

Keith
2001 530i 5sp

[Curtis]

I went through the whole head gasket issue with my 2002 530i already. I agree with everyone about the short trips. However, was there any steam present or sweet smell normally when started up cold, or upon acceleration from a stop? Normally if there is, you would notice it. Another thing to check, which required being EXTREMELY careful, is after warming it up, try to squeeze the upper coolant hose from the front top of the engine to the drivers side rear of the radiator. If it is firm but squeezes, you should be ok. If it is ROCK HARD, then DO NOT DRIVE as you're likely getting extra pressure into your cooling system. This will eventually lead to blowing out hoses, coolant recovery tank, or worse yet, you will unknowlingly lose so much coolant that you will overheat and it will be too late. If you catch it early, you do have inexpensive options available to fix.

[sktn77a]

No other symptoms, the car is running fine other than the mayonaise on the filler cap whe she was checking the oil and adding a little (the car uses a quart every 5,000 miles).

I spoke to a local dealer (Daniels BMW in Allentown, PA) who said "we see this all the time and don't do anything about it - it'll go away if you drive a decent distance at fwy speeds or when the weather warms up".

What to do???

Keith
2001 530i 5sp

[JimLev]

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[Crusader]

The oil cap thing is normal for a car doing short trips in winter.

IF you have a sludge that resembles a chocolate milkshake on your dipstick, IF you have sludge showing in the coolant overflow, NOW you've got a problem.

[JYGy2k5285spCT]

it fits into. Use a rag with a windex as mild solvent. Mine cleaned up very quickly,

Jay Gans 2000 528 MT Non-sport.Titanium Silver, Grey Leather. Premium Package, Cold Weather, Fold down seats. Oct 99 production.ash try mod so not bone stock. CD changer. Garmin C510 Nav..Honda CH150D scooter

[edjack]

student out with an E39!!!??? You should have bought her a Honda!!!! What were you thinking???
Ed in San Jose. BMW CCA member since 1987 (Nr. 62319). Golden Gate Chapter. '97 540i 6 speed. Build Date 3/97. Aspensilber over Aubergine leather.

[sktn77a]

It was my car and she stole from me 3 years ago! She's not your average kid - used to take my E34 out on weekends in high school and got used to the good life! Besides, she likes a stick and an automatic civic just wasn't going to cut it!

[Eurodavid]

Aw, the good ole days (and all you depraved male souls stop from making references otherwise to the above statement).

Eurodavid

[cmbg]

Sadly, though, my daughter did not inherit that gene. On the bright side, it means I don't have to share my 5er.