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2001 BMW 325 White substance in oil

Tiny
NOAH171
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BMW 325
Engine Mechanical problem
2001 BMW 325 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 160K miles

after visiting the mechanic for an oil change, he told me that he wanted to take apart peices of the engine to clean out the attached milky substance before it turned to black tar and started to burn eventually. He said it is because I don't change my oil enough and even though I use synthetic oil and don't drive the car very much, this can happen. The jobestimate was for $880 so I wanted to see it if might be from another issue first. Like leaking coolent into the oil. I have attached some photos (the cap was also covered with this substance but he cleaned it after showing it to me a few weeks back.)


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/496751_photo1_1.jpg



http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/496751_photo_2_1.jpg



http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/496751_photo_3_1.jpg

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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 12:08 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
That seems to be condensation from the combination of high heat, humidity and oil, the reason I believe this is happening is because of faulty pcv valve, I suggest you change the valve, and run it for a week or so, and see if it goes away, it should, the pcv valve ventilates the crankcase so that this doesnt occur, eventually enough pressure will build up that it will ruin seals and gaskets, and cause oil leaks all over the engine.
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Before proceeding, there is a reason for condensation in the oil. It may be a compromised cooling system, it may be from sitting. I do not recommend paying $880 to clean it out, as there is no way to do so if there is a cooling system issue(coolant in the engine) And the next thing to do is to find out if the cooling system is compromised, a pressure test overnight should do it. Keep in touch.
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
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Agree.
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
NOAH171
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
If the mechanic said that the ventilation tube was also filled with white substance would that make any difference to your response or will that go away on its own if the root issue of either coolant leaking in or PCV valve is relplaced?
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
I do believe that, but my collegue is a bmw expert, so I would do what he mentioned first, but change that pcv valve too, as that is the only way that the engine has a way to vent. A pressure test will tell if this is a coolant issue
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 5:54 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
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Start with the pressure test to the cooling system.
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 9:26 PM

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