Mayonnaise
 

Hey All,

This morning I was cleaning up the X and decided to check the oil level. After pulling the dipstick, it looked to be a little low, needing 1/2 quart. When I removed the engine oil filler cap, I noticed a small build up of yellowish paste, almost mayonnaise in consistency.

I recall from earlier posts that this can be an indication of water/coolant mixing with the oil, resulting from a gasket or valve leak. The X's is running smoothly, no blatant tell-tale signs of problems. I'm just wondering if I should take it by the dealer for diagnosis or repair.

When the oil was changed in October, I used Mobil 1 0w-40, instead of Castrol 5w-30, could this issue with the mayonnaise-like build up be a result from that? By the way, the X is CPO'ed til the end of this month. Thanks for your thoughts.

The paste is a result of moisture mixing with the oil. If the vehicle is running fine (indicating no leaks in the head gasket, etc) then it is likely due to condensation. This results from short trips that don't get the vehicle hot enough to boil off the condensation. Over time, it builds up and is visible under the oil filler cap.

I would do an oil change, and try to drive it such that it gets hot more often. The conditions that lead to this build-up are the same as those that lead to problems with the oil separator/crankcase ventilation valve, since the moisture freezes.

I don't think your choice of oil caused it as much as your driving conditions.

I'll change the oil tomorrow night. I went back to check the oil level and noticed similar yellow paste on the bottom of the dipstick. Would condensation be as prevalent to this area as the oil fill cap? Thanks.

You could have your oil diagnosed by a testing company

Yes, it could still be condensation. If you had a coolant leak, and the coolant was mixing with the oil, it would be more likely that the oil level was high instead of low. You could check the coolant level to ensure that it is in the right range.

Definitely get this checked out properly. Last time I saw this "mayonnaise" was when the cylinder head cracked on my '88 325is.

After normal driving today, I let the X cool down before checking the coolant level, the level indicator is all the way at the bottom of the gauge. I've never seen it this low before. The coolant was flushed and refilled only two weeks ago. I'm starting to wonder if there was a leak that I just haven't noticed. Thanks.

Did you or do you see any white smoke from your tail pipes? Did you notice any over heating? You may have blown your head gasket. That would explain the mayonnaise in the oil and the low coolant level.

I've only noticed one irregular amount of white smoke, it occurred yesterday morning when the X was started. No over heating thus far, but I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow morning for service to be safe.

valley pan gasket could be the culprit.

1. do you make alot of short trips?

2. does the temp in your area go below freezing?

I think the goo (condensation) and low coolant level are not related.


if your coolant level keeps dropping check for external leaks especially the valley pan.

You cannot say that for sure until he has ruled out a possible head gasket failure. A blown head gasket would make the oil look mossy and would also create a lot of pressure in the cooling circuit which can quickly result in a leak somewhere. So these symptoms could indeed be the result of a blown head gasket. I hope for cruiser132 that this is not the case but it is definitely a possibility.

Just heard from the SA at the dealership, the technician didn't find any suspect indicators of a valve leak, etc. In their opinion, the condensation on the oil cap and dipstick were "ok." The engine oil didn't contain water or coolant particles. As far as the coolant being low, they did say that the recent flush may have been the reason it was so low. They'll top it off. I know for a fact that I filled the system completely after the flush, but I'm not going to call anyone a liar. So we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice/thoughts.

he found goo only on the cap.

if the HGs are blown you'll get milkshake

He said '... noticed similar yellow paste on the bottom of the dipstick' so that is not only on the cap and that is why I was not ruling out a head gasket failure. Anyway it sounds like he got it checked at the dealership so all is good.

Since Cruisers X5 is only CPO'd until the end of this month - does it seem to anyone else that the dealer is just blowing him off until the warranty expires? "Goo" is not a good thing in a BMW engine, I'd recommend he take it in for a second opinion at another dealership...

Yes this is an excellent point indeed although I would suggest a second opinion from an independent and not another dealership.

Point taken regarding the 'second opinion'. I talked to my local tech about each of your points. He seemed to concur with dealership, no visible leaks in HG. Condensation is 'not uncommon'. In any case, the case is documented with the dealership if the problem comes up again. By the way the X is an 02 with 79k miles. Thanks again for the support.

Does the mayonnaise look anything like this?

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4967/nastycrapuc6.jpg

I noticed that stuff when I was topping off the oil in my dad's X5, and have no idea what it could be. Engine still seems to run fine tho, no strange noises, and no apparent loss of power.

The condensation on my X looked very similar to your picture, although the buildup appears to be a little more than what I saw. Thanks for the visual.:thumbup:

This just happened to me how did you car run afterwards? My car started to shimmy before one start today. The X runs great though. Also, it was 16 degrees out too, I am worried I am suppose to do a 600 mile drive on Wed. Suggestions?

Cruiser: When I flushed my coolant about 3 months ago I had to top off twice to get it to stay at an exceptable level:dunno: . I know I dont have a coolant leak since it has been at a consistant level since then. I guess its just one of those things--well for me, anyway. Hope all is well:thumbup:

I have been having to add a quart of oil every 1500 miles or so. Yesterday as I topped off the oil, I noticed the "mayonnaise" in the top of the cap along with what was clearly water/moisture as it ran off quickly as water would when I held the cap sideways.

I'll just keep topping off I guess. You X5world guys scared me into changing the oil separator valve over the summer after reading the horror stories.

As for that picture TerraPhantm posted ;puke;