2002 BMW X5 3.0i coolant in engine oil, and engine oil in coolant
 

Check Coolant led warning came up yesterday, overheated today, Coolant was dry. I dumped a couple bottled waters in to cool it down till I could get it to store to buy distilled water. I noticed the top of the Coolant cap had some oil mixed with antifreeze on the cap. Gallon of water didn't come out bottom but the engine took it all and it couldn't seem to get full. This evening I decided to add some oil, and the inside of the head was coated in orangish yellow oil mixed with water and antifreeze. I assume my head gasket blew. Any other possible culprits besides deformed, or cracked head or block?

Lastly, if it is the head I'm going to assume it's the gasket until I pull the head to replace and find out if its something else or I'm going to try some of the magic stuff that is supposed to repair a head gasket on the cheap.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Aaron

Have you also noticed any steamy white smoke from your exhaust? Coolant in your oil certainly points to a ruptured head gasket.

No white smoke. It seems to be dripping some water though out the exhaust though. I've never seen oil mixed with antifreeze turn this color before though. It's a little bizarre. Is this common with the blue antifreeze?

And do you know of a quick fix product that won't harm my engine if it fails? And I do end up replacing gasket?

Could the oil line hooked into the Coolant reservoir both mix oil with anti freeze, and engine oil? Or is it not engine oil?

I'm not aware of any oil lines to or from the expansion tank. No, the sludge in your oil wouldn't necessarily be blue. Unfortunately an overheat can be very damaging to an aluminum engine such as the M54. And you were almost dry when it happened. I think I'd have it checked out by a good Indy. Other than the possible head gasket you also have some serious coolant loss.

Unfortunately, the only mechanic that I can afford is me. I've done 4 head jobs so hoping it wont be much different than a Japanese or American car head... Fortunately, the car still seems to be running good after the overheat which was only for maybe 30 seconds or so before I noticed and shutdown. It didn't seem very hot under the hood either, and the temperature regulated in seconds after I added water and restarted it. I can flush the Coolant, and try using the magic glass liquid. Wondering if anybody here has had any success with it?

Do you have an automatic transmission?

Could be transmission fluid mixing with coolant in the heat exchanger. Have had this happen to me.

I do have an automatic transmission. Did it mix into the engine as well?

Ooops. No, it did not. Coolant had oil, it started to look like that. Engine oil was clear though.

There is a cooler that, when it fails, mixes transmission fluid and coolant. The sludge on the oil cap could just be the classic mayo from too many short trips and/or failed CCV's. On mine this contraption connects to the lower corner of the rad.

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