N54 gloop under oil filler cap

[Andy70]

Hi all, I have a 335i with 89k on the clock, the owner before me was a doctor and car was maintained properly, now I own it and do 2 oil changes a year and only do 3000 miles a year as I work locally, I've looked after it but done an oil change a few weeks ago and noticed loads of copper colour thick sludge under the oil cap.. I've had BM's for years and commonly noticed small amounts of creamy white sludge on most of the variations I've had, but this is loads and slightly darker. The coolant level I think is about normal, as I checked it when I noticed the sludge and again today when I changed the oil again... there was no white in the oil at all, but it was very black even though I've only done probably 200 miles since I changed it last.

I done a bit of research and there was suggestions from other forums that short mileage trips and the cold weather can contribute to the build up of sludge caused by condensation, something I'm aware that can happen as I've had small amounts before on other cars and also it seemingly is very unlikely that a head gasket would go on an N54 unless its been stupidly abused.....So am I safe or have I a big bill ahead of me? oh .. no smoke out the exhaust what so ever by the way

[g3org3y]

Andy70 said:

Hi all, I have a 335i with 89k on the clock, the owner before me was a doctor and car was maintained properly, now I own it and do 2 oil changes a year and only do 3000 miles a year as I work locally, I've looked after it but done an oil change a few weeks ago and noticed loads of copper colour thick sludge under the oil cap.. I've had BM's for years and commonly noticed small amounts of creamy white sludge on most of the variations I've had, but this is loads and slightly darker. The coolant level I think is about normal, as I checked it when I noticed the sludge and again today when I changed the oil again... there was no white in the oil at all, but it was very black even though I've only done probably 200 miles since I changed it last.

I done a bit of research and there was suggestions from other forums that short mileage trips and the cold weather can contribute to the build up of sludge caused by condensation, something I'm aware that can happen as I've had small amounts before on other cars and also it seemingly is very unlikely that a head gasket would go on an N54 unless its been stupidly abused.....So am I safe or have I a big bill ahead of me? oh .. no smoke out the exhaust what so ever by the way

Given your low mileage, wouldn't be surprised if it is (as you suggest) condensation from the shorter trips.

Am assuming the coolant in the expansion tank is clear? Keep a close eye on the coolant levels.

[Andy70]

g3org3y said:

Andy70 said:

Hi all, I have a 335i with 89k on the clock, the owner before me was a doctor and car was maintained properly, now I own it and do 2 oil changes a year and only do 3000 miles a year as I work locally, I've looked after it but done an oil change a few weeks ago and noticed loads of copper colour thick sludge under the oil cap.. I've had BM's for years and commonly noticed small amounts of creamy white sludge on most of the variations I've had, but this is loads and slightly darker. The coolant level I think is about normal, as I checked it when I noticed the sludge and again today when I changed the oil again... there was no white in the oil at all, but it was very black even though I've only done probably 200 miles since I changed it last.

I done a bit of research and there was suggestions from other forums that short mileage trips and the cold weather can contribute to the build up of sludge caused by condensation, something I'm aware that can happen as I've had small amounts before on other cars and also it seemingly is very unlikely that a head gasket would go on an N54 unless its been stupidly abused.....So am I safe or have I a big bill ahead of me? oh .. no smoke out the exhaust what so ever by the way

Given your low mileage, wouldn't be surprised if it is (as you suggest) condensation from the shorter trips.

Am assuming the coolant in the expansion tank is clear? Keep a close eye on the coolant levels.

I thi k it's clear but yes I will watch the level

[K-risN54]

My N54 does it too in the winter due to the short journeys. It's fine once the weather starts to warm up with the same type of journeys.

[Andy70]

K-risN54 said:

My N54 does it too in the winter due to the short journeys. It's fine once the weather starts to warm up with the same type of journeys.

Cool good news. I work only 2 and a half miles from work you see so engine barely gets warm

[K-risN54]

Andy70 said:

K-risN54 said:

My N54 does it too in the winter due to the short journeys. It's fine once the weather starts to warm up with the same type of journeys.

Cool good news. I work only 2 and a half miles from work you see so engine barely gets warm

Before working from home my journey was about 7 miles and in winter the oil would probably be about 80 degrees on the guage when pulling into the car park. I used to ride my bike in to work every other day so it only got a good run out at weekends. After a good run out it used to practically dissappear.

[Andy70]

All very reassuring, thanks, presumably a head gasket would be a well over a grand with a decent indy?.. I'll watch the coolant level though and maybe drive the long way home a couple of days a week

[W201_190e]

Almost certainly not a head gasket. All of my previous BMW's had the condensation as they did mostly short journeys.

[Andy70]

W201_190e said:

Almost certainly not a head gasket. All of my previous BMW's had the condensation as they did mostly short journeys.

cool, thanks for that,, I have had most variants of bm engines, from e36 325, 328, m3.. e46, 325i, 325ti M3.. e90 n52 330i and n54 335i.. all previous seem to have collected residue of condensation but this was loads more than I have never seen before, it was probably a large spoonful... BUT I suppose my driving distance is less than its ever been before and maybe it's possible that I haven't opened my oil filler cap in the winter before, I don't know But I have had lots of reassuring messages on here that I'm grateful for, cheers!

[W201_190e]

Andy70 said:

W201_190e said:

Almost certainly not a head gasket. All of my previous BMW's had the condensation as they did mostly short journeys.

cool, thanks for that,, I have had most variants of bm engines, from e36 325, 328, m3.. e46, 325i, 325ti M3.. e90 n52 330i and n54 335i.. all previous seem to have collected residue of condensation but this was loads more than I have never seen before, it was probably a large spoonful... BUT I suppose my driving distance is less than its ever been before and maybe it's possible that I haven't opened my oil filler cap in the winter before, I don't know But I have had lots of reassuring messages on here that I'm grateful for, cheers!

No worries! It's just something they seem to do, I remember I freaked out when I first saw the gloop under the filler cap of my 528i.

[Andy70]

W201_190e said:

Andy70 said:

W201_190e said:

Almost certainly not a head gasket. All of my previous BMW's had the condensation as they did mostly short journeys.

cool, thanks for that,, I have had most variants of bm engines, from e36 325, 328, m3.. e46, 325i, 325ti M3.. e90 n52 330i and n54 335i.. all previous seem to have collected residue of condensation but this was loads more than I have never seen before, it was probably a large spoonful... BUT I suppose my driving distance is less than its ever been before and maybe it's possible that I haven't opened my oil filler cap in the winter before, I don't know But I have had lots of reassuring messages on here that I'm grateful for, cheers!

No worries! It's just something they seem to do, I remember I freaked out when I first saw the gloop under the filler cap of my 528i.

Yeah, me too thinking about it, but I got used to seeing it. but it was the amount I was was worse this time, plus the apparent, tiny drop in coolant level at the same time, but that could have been how was parked, like on a different angle or maybe I have a coolant leek somewhere but i done a second oil change in 3 weeks and nothing in the oil at all