Has my engine blown the gasket?

[Geea]

Hi,

I went to start my 88 325i tonight to let it run a little... I instantly noticed the heavy amount of white smoke coming from the exhuast so i switched off and had a look at the engine oil.

The oil seemed very runy and was a very light beige/brown colour, unsure if its becuase it recently had new oil during an insp 2 service i assumed it was the mobil oil used so i ran the car for 20 mins and still the smoke piled out but it did not overheat in that time.

Since its had its insp 2 by a specialist i felt the car was down on power, i have roughly driven the car for 100 miles since its service.

does this sound like a head gasket? i hope not i just bought the car in august but then again it can be my winter project to get it right.

if its any use i also had the tappets re-set during the service (i assumed this was the reason for loss of power)

Any help will be appreciated.

[Brianmoooore]

If it doesn't use coolant, then, quite obviously, coolant is not mixing with the oil, or disappearing down the exhaust pipe.

[god-father88]

i think the white smoke it normal.. mine puff's like crazy!..

[Duke137]

i think the white smoke it normal.. mine puff's like crazy!..

+1

[Morat]

What does the coolant look like?

[Geea]

Hey tanks for the replies...

Ok so it seems the white smoke was down to the seriously frosty weather up here in scotland so i ran the car yesterday and all seems as it should be but to note at its recent oil change i stuck in some slick 50 ould this be the reason the oil is beige/brown (thin) cherry red (thick)

The coolant is a rusty colour and it needed about 1l as its got a leak somewhere so ill get that sorted over the weekend.

Thanks to all or the advice so far.

[Motorhole]

but to note at its recent oil change i stuck in some slick 50

Unfortunately slick 50 and the like arn't the best products for your engine! Wouldn't worry too much about it but don't make using it a habit, a good quality synthetic oil is all you need. See the sticky thread on oil!

[Geea]

Thanks motorhole... i have since done some reseach and agree with what you say.