E70 4.8i Crank case question
 

Ive got a 2008 e70 X5 4.8i. Few weeks back I did the "alternator bracket" gasket. So today I started on the valve covers and front timing cover gaskets.Took the crank case vents off and had this lovely surprise.
Driver side
Attachment 65965
Passanger side
Attachment 65966
Attachment 65967
Attachment 65968

Does anyone have any ideas? Doing some research, Ive learned that this can be cause by moisture in the crank case.

Both rubber valves are crack free and still flexible. This being said, I don't know if these have ever been opened before or any work done on them.

The car has 95,000 mile and no records of valve covers of timing cover gaskets being done before. Bought the car at 88,000 miles.

Any and all insight will be appreciated. :thumbup:

The condensate paste you see is an emulsification of oil fumes and water, usually condensation within the crankcase. In normal operation, the moisture is boiled off and doesn't matter. If the engine is subject to lots of short trips and doesn't get to full operating temperature, or is not then held at that temperature long enough to get rid of the moisture, the paste forms and accumulates over time. It ends up in the crankcase ventilation system and separator. It sits there, and if you get very low ambient temperatures it can freeze, causing problems. See posts on CCV. The CCV doesn't cause the condensate, it is simply where it collects.

Clean it out, put it back together replacing any soft or hardened hoses, inspect the diaphragms and replace as necessary, do a hot oil change, make sure you drive it enough to get it hot from time to time, and watch the oil filler cap to see if it returns.

I would buy some engine purge and do an oil change, and go for a long trip.

I just did an oil change. Ive changed the oil twice in the past 7k miles. This last flush was with BMW's new twin turbo oil.

Do you have any experience with engine purge? Talking about the BG product correct?

I had the same issue with my 2008 4.8i, I took the entire piece off, cleaned it with brake cleaner and replace the diaphragm and spring, the bottom of the diaphragm is act as a check valve, sometimes it is slightly deform.

Thanks for the info! The car takes short trips of 15 miles round trip 5 days a week.

Thanks for the info. Im going to clean it all out tomorrow and put it back together. I just ordered a new diaphragm and spring for each side to be safe.

Im thinking the previous owner did not change the oil frequently enough. The last oil change the oil was very dirty.

Does anyone use any oil additives to keep sludge from building up? or any sort of "flush"

Thanks :thumbup:

I bought the engine purge from bavauto. Had no bad consequences with it. Very happy with the product.

So, it is driven 7.5 miles, let's sit until cold and then 7.5 miles back and then sits until cold again and that is repeated five times a week?

Yes, it is driven to work. It is also 30 degrees here's has been deep in the negatives for a time now in Ohio.