Yellow Sludge around Oil Cap

[bajohntrini]

Hey guys, just wanted to start out by saying I absolutely love this forum, it has been so useful to me with all the problems I've had with my X5 since I've owned it for the last 2 years. I love it and it's been a good car for me, especially for all the mileage I put on it.

I have a 2004 X5 3.0 (245 000 KM on the OD) and just this week I've notice a yellow sludge around the oil cap when I went to do my routine check and top off of oil (I don't lose much oil at all, just seems to burn up half a quart every few thousand kms so I'm pretty sure I don't have a leak). I've never seen this before, and wasn't there when I changed my oil about 3000 km ago.

I've been reading around and it sounds like it could be a variety of problems, so I just wanted a little input.

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and it has been pretty cold for the last month or so. Apart from a little "choking" when I first start her up in the mornings (it's about -20 C all night) she runs awesome. I've been in the habit of checking the coolant levels lately too because last month I had to replace the alternator and in the process and accidentally pulled out the clip that holds the heat exchanger onto the radiator and lost all coolant. I fixed this and filled the coolant back up and did my best to bleed, but I find every few weeks I need to add a little bit of coolant to her because the red stick falls below the level of the top of the cap. I've just assumed this was because I didn't completely bleed the system and whatever air pockets come to the top once in a while.

Now that I have this yellow sludge on the oil cap tho, it has me worried because I've read about the coolant mixing in with the oil? Could this be the case? How would I find out for sure?

I've also read that the CCV can need cleaning/replacing, would these symptoms have anything to do with that? My X runs perfectly all of the time, not rough or anything, especially when she warms up.

I'm hoping this problem is just due to condensation in the engine (I take many short trips and it's been very cold here for the last month) and tomorrow I plan on taking her for a run for an hour or so and then changing the oil when it's hot and cleaning that sludge up. Is this likely to fix my problem?

The only other issue I've noticed is after driving for a while, when I come to a stop at a red light or whatever, I smell a faint burning, can't tell what it is, could it just be this condensation burning or what else could it be?

Your help is very much appreciated, I've searched around and I'd just like a few opinions of what you guys with experience think it is.

Thanks very much in advance.

[SlickGT1]

Yup, the short trips, and possibly the CCV. Clean or replace as necessary. Get that tank going at full temp. Then run that sucker in low gear and high RPM for a bit. Stay as high of an rpm as you feel comfortable. Burn that cheese out of the engine.

[bajohntrini]

Cool, thanks slick. Kind of gives me some peace of mind. I was scared of doing the CCV because I saw a youtube video doing it on a 3 series, but I guess on these X's it's a lot easier. I guess I might as well just replace it.

I plan on doing what you suggest before the oil change. Do you recommend any over the counter Engine Flush things? Those ones you add to the oil and run for 5-10 mins before draining the oil? I used to use them on my Fords and Toyotas but have never used it on the X since the parts guys at the dealership just said to change the oil and filter and do nothing else. Figure something extra might help with the sludge tho?

[SlickGT1]

Don't put that stuff in your BMW. Search here, CCV is a pain on the x as well. Some have managed to vacuum it with a thin hose kit. Search for that here as well. Just run the car hot and burn that crap out. Hot oil change is very effective as well.

[SlickGT1]

Oh the issue with CCV, is if that sludge freezes in your CCV, it can crack it, and make you spill your oil like the exxon spill.

[jgold47]

it begs the question of what oil you are using as well.

[JCL]

If you are doing a lot of short trips, at Edmonton temperatures, and never getting it warmed up, that is by far the most likely root cause.

Get it good and hot and keep it there on a long run. It isnt getting it hot that helps, it is sustained operation while hot. Then change the oil and filter. No additives. Repeat as necessary.

The CCV problems are a result of the condensate paste, not the cause of it. Consider cleaning it out after you get the engine clean, as getting the engine hot wont do anything for the CCV;it is mounted remotely, which is why it can freeze up.

[jgold47]

Wouldn't it stand to reason that cdm cars would have the cold weather ccv stock? Mine does and it was an IL delivery.

[bajohntrini]

I've been using the BMW oil right from the dealership religiously since I got her, I believe the regular synthetic 5w30 stuff they sell for everything, doing oil changes at about 7000km intervals. Do you guys recommend a different oil? I know 99% of the V-Rod guys recommend Amsoil for their Harley's, so that's what I've always put in my bike. I've searched this and there's a ton of mixed information. With such high mileage, should I just stick to what I've been using, that being the BMW oil?

[jgold47]

You can't go wrong with BMW oil, but... IMO I am only using castrol edge. 0/30 right now and 5/40 in the summer. Both are ll-01 approved which is all that matters. I will not use m1 0/40 period. I am running shell t6 in my e36.