Milky Residue on Oil Cap during winter? Welcome

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

dude, I said it's ok within the parameters I got listed.


If you wanna be quick to jump on a HG job as soon as you see a film of residue after driving 4 miles in freezing weather, be my guest

[m3f_fitchesbas_a4754265ce]

I just personally do not agree with the assumptions and resulting conclusion.



I'll keep my thoughts to myself though - I not trying to cause hard feelings over something that isn't an issue on any of my cars.

[m3f_mhs093]

I've seen this on my brother's 96 328i. He drives ~1.5-2 mile trips to school and back, which is most likely the problem. I monitored the coolant and oil for a bit and neither were mixing, nor was it losing any coolant.


If the time comes that it would happen to need a head gasket, we'll cross that path when we get to it. For now, it looks to be the same symptoms as listed in the first post. I haven't personally experienced this on either my S50 or S52, however I generally drive them extended distances.


Edit: Reading through the posts...to clarify, his cap didn't have nearly as much as the OP's pics show. It was just a little bit of condensation that turned milky.

[m3f_Lenny718_6c9ce04895]

Just checked mine this morning, got nothing and its been cold as shiet here in NY :clueless:

[m3f_zottyzot_c80656cdf5]

Could this be caused by a clogged PCV valve?



I've read that some X5's have a problem in cold weather with PCV valve clogging...

[m3f_TightLettuce]

Just checked mine this morning, got nothing and its been cold as shiet here in NY :clueless:



Same here. I've never seen this on any of my cars and here's what I found when I went to my car this AM... :clueless:

[m3f_M3_Cliff]

Like most that live in So. Calif. I don't have to worry about sub freezing temps too often.



But since we have 10,000' mountains and great snow skiing in the winter, I do drive in snow and freezing temps.



I've seen this and although it may not happen to every car, it is quite normal.

My good buddy used to run the 76 station in Mammoth and he was the first to tell me that it happens to vehicles driven short very short distances.



His point, and I agree, is that there is moisture in the air, and there is air inside every engine. Like the fluids inside of an engine, gasoline and oil, the air will contain trace amounts of water or moisture. If an engine is ran for a short amount of time, not a good idea for longevity, it will not come up to temperature and allow the by-products to burn off.



Have you ever seen how much water comes out of a tail pipe of someone who starts their car in the morning and drives off immediately? But you don't see it once the engine is warm. It is still there, but the complete system is vaporizing it well before it can make it's way out the tailpipe.



I think the main point of the op was not to panic if you see this, but more importantly to properly allow an engine to warm and get to full operating temp everytime you use it.



I know it's freezing and you just want to get from warm point A to warm point B...That's why I live here, and only travel to the freezing areas for fun?



Go Chargers!

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

Like most that live in So. Calif. I don't have to worry about sub freezing temps too often.



But since we have 10,000' mountains and great snow skiing in the winter, I do drive in snow and freezing temps.



I've seen this and although it may not happen to every car, it is quite normal.

My good buddy used to run the 76 station in Mammoth and he was the first to tell me that it happens to vehicles driven short very short distances.



His point, and I agree, is that there is moisture in the air, and there is air inside every engine. Like the fluids inside of an engine, gasoline and oil, the air will contain trace amounts of water or moisture. If an engine is ran for a short amount of time, not a good idea for longevity, it will not come up to temperature and allow the by-products to burn off.



Have you ever seen how much water comes out of a tail pipe of someone who starts their car in the morning and drives off immediately? But you don't see it once the engine is warm. It is still there, but the complete system is vaporizing it well before it can make it's way out the tailpipe.



I think the main point of the op was not to panic if you see this, but more importantly to properly allow an engine to warm and get to full operating temp everytime you use it.



I know it's freezing and you just want to get from warm point A to warm point B...That's why I live here, and only travel to the freezing areas for fun?



Go Giants!



Finally at least somebody who understands the inner workings of an engine not properly prepared to run under load. That was exactly my point when making this thread



oh, and I fixed that last sentence for you man

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

That usually indicates you have water / coolant in the oil.

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

That usually indicates you have water / coolant in the oil.



did you read the thread?





http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/7282/original/Facepalm.jpg

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

did you read the thread?


http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/7282/original/Facepalm.jpg


Yeah, after I posted.

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

Yeah, after I posted.



well, thanks at least



:lolhit:

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

watch this video at 2:25 and see what I mean



http://www.youtube.com/user/davidsfarm?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/3/PEzdp7MSF2Y

[m3f_zottyzot_c80656cdf5]

Well, I just added oil to my car after driving for about 30 minutes. I found milky foam on the filler cap. It's right around 30* here today. I have no reason to believe that I have a leaking HG.



Just wanted to mention what I found.

[m3f_hencini_38d4e99411]

I have only seen this on one of my cars-- the '83 CJ listed in my sig. It freaked me out the first time I saw it... I was sure the head gasket was trashed... Nope... Just sludge/moisture/whatever... Drove it another 50K miles before I tore the engine down (at 200K miles) with zero head gasket issues...