Oil in the cooling reservoir
up vote
2
down vote
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I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.
What would be the most like cause?
engine bmw head-gasket
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.
What would be the most like cause?
engine bmw head-gasket
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.
What would be the most like cause?
engine bmw head-gasket
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.
What would be the most like cause?
engine bmw head-gasket
engine bmw head-gasket
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
edited Nov 22 at 9:32
Martin
5,00711130
5,00711130
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
asked Nov 22 at 3:31
wahed
161
161
Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36
add a comment |
Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36
Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
other possible issues are:
- Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.
- Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)
- Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)
Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
answered Nov 22 at 9:45
Steve Matthews
19.5k22969
19.5k22969
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
other possible issues are:
- Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.
- Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)
- Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)
Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
other possible issues are:
- Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.
- Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)
- Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)
Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
other possible issues are:
- Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.
- Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)
- Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)
Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
other possible issues are:
- Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.
- Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)
- Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)
Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
answered Nov 22 at 9:46
Martin
5,00711130
5,00711130
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
add a comment |
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
1
1
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
– GdD
Nov 22 at 11:26
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
@GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
– BossRoss
Nov 22 at 14:51
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
He can try @BossRoss.
– GdD
Nov 22 at 14:58
add a comment |
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Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
Nov 22 at 7:35
What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
Nov 22 at 16:36