E39 528i possible gasket problem?

[CommanderJameson]

Now that Mrs J is using the 528i, it only does short journeys. Oil service (at a BMW specialist) was only a few months ago. 95K on the car.

Car starts and runs smoothly, and the temperature needle goes to the middle of the gauge and stays there, just like it always did.

However, there's traces of mayo on the oil filler cap.

Do I panic?

[roofer]

Nowt to worry about, a couple of good motorway runs will clear it.

[rharris21]

roofer said:

Nowt to worry about, a couple of good motorway runs will clear it.

+1. Very common this time of year ESP doing short journeys. Once read an 08 plate z4 with 20000 on the clock had this symptom when a guy viewed to buy. The owner took it to BMW and confirmed just condensation. Loads of pics of this on e46 forums etc.

[CommanderJameson]

Cheers. Pricing up HG replacement was turning up figures of £600-800, which, while less than a replacement car, would still leave me with a sharp stabbing pain in the wallet.

[sparks_E39]

Don't worry mate, my 528 has done it for 3 years and I only do short trips to work. Every weekend I take it on a 40-50 mile blast and it usually clears. My heart sank when I first saw it though fearing the worst.

[Fox-]

Don't worry at all. These engines do that on short trips - mine has ever since I got it.

Didn't stop a 'Reputable BMW Specialist' telling me it was a failed head gasket and even getting as far as booking in to have the head stripped to investigate the damage, though. Partly why I don't subscribe to the almost universal view that anyone with 'BMW Specialist' on the sign is somehow good at what they do..

[Jez Thain]

No worry at all, get it out for a good long run, it will clear it!

[tgr]

as others have said - Italian tune up (once warm!)