Yoghurt in 330ci filler cap
Discussion
I just went to top up my oil and have white yoghurty deposit on the filler cap. I presume this is likely to be the head gasket on its way out. The car's done just over 100k. Any idea for costs to get this done?
I'm praying it's not a cracked cylinder head. Do these cars have a history of this happening.
I'm praying it's not a cracked cylinder head. Do these cars have a history of this happening.
It is quite common to see emulsified oil on the oil filler cap for all 6 cylinder engines and new generation 4 cylinder.Where as the majority are clean some do suffer with a build up.The ones that do suffer tend to alot of stop start drives or short journeys.The synthetic oil then sweats and condensation build up in the crank case which the oil vapour then mixxes with.
A good place to check if in doubt is to remove the oil filter (unscrew and wait for 60 seconds to let the oil drain off-or you will make a mess)need a 36 mm spanner.It should be clean-just oil.
The white stuff gets onto the dip stick too.
Also if the head gasket has failed in that way you would more than likely get oil in the coolant,so when its cold unscrew the coolant cap and have a look.
Basically we dont get any probles with these engines at any age/mileage.They have been a rock.Ive been at BMW for 8 years and have replaced 2 heads for other reasons not for failure,cant say many others have done them either.I bet if I check BMW parts they dont sell many.
If you have any doubt drop into a dealer and ask...dont ask the AA
A good place to check if in doubt is to remove the oil filter (unscrew and wait for 60 seconds to let the oil drain off-or you will make a mess)need a 36 mm spanner.It should be clean-just oil.
The white stuff gets onto the dip stick too.
Also if the head gasket has failed in that way you would more than likely get oil in the coolant,so when its cold unscrew the coolant cap and have a look.
Basically we dont get any probles with these engines at any age/mileage.They have been a rock.Ive been at BMW for 8 years and have replaced 2 heads for other reasons not for failure,cant say many others have done them either.I bet if I check BMW parts they dont sell many.
If you have any doubt drop into a dealer and ask...dont ask the AA
toastboy said:
My wife's been using it for getting to work as I'm now taking the train. She only does 6 or 7 miles each way. Could it be condensation? Maybe I should check the dipstick tomorrow.
Almost certainly the reason, the car has not been up to a high enough temperature for long enough. Clean the cap and take it for a good 50 mile hoon, I bet you won't see any then.
Yep, sounds fine to me. My 318is used to have yoghurt when I used it for the three mile drive to work each day, but since my employer relocated to within walking distance I've only been using the car on a weekend when it mostly just gets decent longer runs... and the yoghurt has gone.
I've just gone through this myself.
Used to use my 530i Sport (So same engine as yours) to travel anything up to 100 miles a day. Went back to Uni for final year in September and since then I barely do 70 miles a week - Uni is 5 miles away. I had subjected my previous car to this sort of use without issue.
So just before christmas - arghghg - Hellmans factory under the filler cap. Took it the local Indy who said blimey, head gasket that. £950. They booked it in.
Sceptical, I took it elsewhere. They were suprised and said it was probably condensation. They cleaned the cap off and I avoided using the car for anything other than journeys of 15 miles or more. It's not come back in any quantity (Had a small trace following a 9 mile drive the other day but was gone by the time I got home). I had a 'sniff test' performed on the coolant yesterday and it came back clear. The car runs absolutely perfectly and performs as normal.
So it sounds the same 'problem'. Seems its common on the big 6 cylinder engines. Does it do any damage? I guess its going to come back again when I start using the car again...
Used to use my 530i Sport (So same engine as yours) to travel anything up to 100 miles a day. Went back to Uni for final year in September and since then I barely do 70 miles a week - Uni is 5 miles away. I had subjected my previous car to this sort of use without issue.
So just before christmas - arghghg - Hellmans factory under the filler cap. Took it the local Indy who said blimey, head gasket that. £950. They booked it in.
Sceptical, I took it elsewhere. They were suprised and said it was probably condensation. They cleaned the cap off and I avoided using the car for anything other than journeys of 15 miles or more. It's not come back in any quantity (Had a small trace following a 9 mile drive the other day but was gone by the time I got home). I had a 'sniff test' performed on the coolant yesterday and it came back clear. The car runs absolutely perfectly and performs as normal.
So it sounds the same 'problem'. Seems its common on the big 6 cylinder engines. Does it do any damage? I guess its going to come back again when I start using the car again...
Edited by [TW]Fox on Tuesday 8th January 14:22
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