E46 328.. oil in coolant
Discussion
Looks like my HG has gone.. it was taking ages to send warm air into the cabin, and checked the expansion tank and there is loads of yellowy crud in the coolant. The coolant also has an oily smell to it. The dipstick for the oil is slightly above max, but no yellow on that. That said, it's not overheating, and seems to drive OK.
Anyone know how much a HG is to replace on a M52TU? At this point is it better to just replace the whole engine? Or anything else worth checking first?
Coolant and oil were changed ~2 months ago, could there be any connection? Wrong coolant, coolant freezing etc?
Anyone know how much a HG is to replace on a M52TU? At this point is it better to just replace the whole engine? Or anything else worth checking first?
Coolant and oil were changed ~2 months ago, could there be any connection? Wrong coolant, coolant freezing etc?
Vixpy1 said:
lots of condensation about at the moment, this can cause the crud, but not usually as bad as you describe. head gasket will certainly be cheaper than fitting a new engine.
Give Phil at CPC a call, he will know more
+44 (0) 1923 283274
I would agree.Give Phil at CPC a call, he will know more
+44 (0) 1923 283274
You symptoms sound far beyond condensation.
Lack of heat can be due to air in the cooling system or a faulty thermstat. How comfortable are you that all air was bleed out of the system when the coolant was changed? You can have a large volume of air in the system without seeing the low coolant light. An air bubble in the wrong place could also have helped the headgasket to let go. That said if the thermostat is stuck open the engine will never get hot in the current/recent weather so condensation can occur and unburned fuel can end up in the coolant. Any mayonnaise on the underside of the oil filler cap?
A compression check is probably a good idea - that should pinpoint whether or not there's a headgasket issue. You could also try bleeding the cooling system (large plastic screw plug on the hose where it goes from the front top of the engine to the nearside top of the rad - use a large flat blade screwdriver to open it slowly when the engine's warm).
A compression check is probably a good idea - that should pinpoint whether or not there's a headgasket issue. You could also try bleeding the cooling system (large plastic screw plug on the hose where it goes from the front top of the engine to the nearside top of the rad - use a large flat blade screwdriver to open it slowly when the engine's warm).
I checked the coolant when cold and the coolant is green but has lots of small yellow bits suspended in it - and an oily sheen on top.
Warmed it up and the temp gauge went to the middle very quickly - but no hot air from the heater. Then after about 10 mins the warm air suddenly kicked in - I don't remember if that's how it should be.
Top hose was 'squelchy' but not firm. Opened the bleed screw and a lot of yellowy gunk came out!
Checked oil and it's slightly above normal - but no gunk on bottom of oil filler cap, or on the dipstick, when hot or cold. I'd have expected some yellow in the oil at least?
Warmed it up and the temp gauge went to the middle very quickly - but no hot air from the heater. Then after about 10 mins the warm air suddenly kicked in - I don't remember if that's how it should be.
Top hose was 'squelchy' but not firm. Opened the bleed screw and a lot of yellowy gunk came out!
Checked oil and it's slightly above normal - but no gunk on bottom of oil filler cap, or on the dipstick, when hot or cold. I'd have expected some yellow in the oil at least?
john_p said:
I checked the coolant when cold and the coolant is green but has lots of small yellow bits suspended in it - and an oily sheen on top.
Warmed it up and the temp gauge went to the middle very quickly - but no hot air from the heater. Then after about 10 mins the warm air suddenly kicked in - I don't remember if that's how it should be.
Top hose was 'squelchy' but not firm. Opened the bleed screw and a lot of yellowy gunk came out!
Checked oil and it's slightly above normal - but no gunk on bottom of oil filler cap, or on the dipstick, when hot or cold. I'd have expected some yellow in the oil at least?
Did you have climate control set on auto?Warmed it up and the temp gauge went to the middle very quickly - but no hot air from the heater. Then after about 10 mins the warm air suddenly kicked in - I don't remember if that's how it should be.
Top hose was 'squelchy' but not firm. Opened the bleed screw and a lot of yellowy gunk came out!
Checked oil and it's slightly above normal - but no gunk on bottom of oil filler cap, or on the dipstick, when hot or cold. I'd have expected some yellow in the oil at least?
The contamination would depend on where the HG has failed.
Is it an auto? if so, is the transmission fluid cooler integral with the rad, and could it have failed, leading to cross contamination - that gunk looks more red than creamy.
Does otherwise look like HG though - if you have caught it early enough, which it sounds like you have, then at least the head should be ok!
Oil into water HG failure is usually preferable to leaking into the bores,etc.
Does otherwise look like HG though - if you have caught it early enough, which it sounds like you have, then at least the head should be ok!
Oil into water HG failure is usually preferable to leaking into the bores,etc.
Edited by Rollcage on Friday 1st January 18:05
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