White musky substance and Oil (HELP)

[jon-m42]

Evening all,

Standard E30 318iS M42

Driving the old turd today in the rain and miserable weather was not so much of a delight.

After much town and motorway driving I arrive back home to a nice cup of PG Tips. (I am very much an oldie I know).
As you all are aware of my silly most annoying over fueling problems. I than left the car to cool down before I gave myself the time to ponder over the thoughts and to find out what is going on. In my attempt I found that the throttle body was oily like if engine oil had washed itself through it.

I have not experienced this before. I than checked the oil level and to my surprise it actually was showing it to be on the correct level. I took the air flow meter off and realised that there was somewhat of a white musky saucy substance in and around the inside of the afm and the pipe connecting from the afm to the throttle body.

Has anybody ever experienced this before, If so what could this be?

No loss of power and or drive through every gear. The car runs smoothly but when idling and waiting at traffic light held stationary the engine seems to hunt slightly and the smell of raw fuel coming out the exhaust is vial. Apart from that it drives nicely if I’m honest.

Yet another problem to deal with and or its probably a stem of some existing running issues. Cars sometimes I really do hate them.

Thanks in advanced

Jon

[jon-m42]

anybody

[alan1272]

likely a breather problem if you've got oil in the TB, the white 'mucky' substance is likely to be oil mixed with water.
to start with, check the breather pipes on the engine for splits, leaks and blockages.

[jon-m42]

likely a breather problem if you've got oil in the TB, the white 'mucky' substance is likely to be oil mixed with water.
to start with, check the breather pipes on the engine for splits, leaks and blockages.

Hi Bud,

Not to long ago I do remember changing all the following:

-vacuum pipes
-intake manifold gasket lower and upper.
-throttle body gasket

All parts replaced were from bmw and I did have another look and they all seem to fine.

Im not sure why this is happening - the white oily/watery liquid?

As far as I can remember the car has never had its head gasket changed I hope this is not something which cold be related to this.

Other symptoms noticed this morning on a cold start are:

-puffs of whitish fumes from the exhaust but once warmed up had gone
-as always the strong smell of raw fuel which makes your eyes water

This all seems has if she is either on its way of giving up the ghost I do not know ...

Thanks
Jon

[CarbTuner]

Hi Jon,

Have you taken the compressions yet? That should give you a good idea of the state of your engine.

You might want to sort out that over fueling issue, it could have a negative effect on the long term. Too much petrol in your cylinders would remove the oily film that is supposed to lubricate it all and have a negative effect on compression.

It can also end up with a seizure, announced usually by the above, other than a head gasket...

I know this because I have had the case already on a Triumph TR3. I know, it's far from an E30, but the principle is exactly the same: too much petrol in the cylinders > no more oil film on cylinder walls > heat build up and seizure...

That engine was spewing oil out of the breather and needed a rebuild.

I do hope that yours is only having gasket failure at the worst!

Cheers,

Spike

[jon-m42]

Hi Spike,

I had a compression test mid last year to when I changed all my pipes. The results came out all fine however cylinder three was a little showed a slight sing of wear but the rest were all fine.

Is the worst case taking the head of replacing gasket and piston rings? I really hope this is not the case as im sure this will cost an arm and a leg just in parts and then finding the right mechanic to go ahead and work on it will also cost another arm and a leg ill be limbless after this.

[jimmyspeed]

you will need to strip or swap the whole block if its the rings, whilst the head gasket can be changed by just removing the head

[jon-m42]

why would i need to change and or replace the whole block ?

That would cost more than the car from bmw im not sure if they even supply the block any more.

this is seeming like my e30 days are for sure coming to an end

[Brianmoooore]

This seems like a classic case of 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it!' You've found a small amount of emulsified oil in the TB and the air tube, which is perfectly normal. Shouldn't really get as far back as the AFM, but its still going to do no harm, even if it does.
If you want to try something, then take off the cam cover and concentrate on the area inside where the breather hose connects. If emulsified oil builds up here, it stops oil draining back into the engine properly and encourages it to be drawn into the vent tube, where it ends up in the places you have found.

BTW, the last word of the title of this thread is a clue as to which forum it should be in!

[jimmyspeed]

Is the worst case taking the head of replacing gasket and piston rings?

- basically, i was just saying that you can't swap piston rings by just removing the cylinder head

if it is the rings causing the problem, you can either source a used one or rebuild, rather than buying a bmw block. can't see a m42 being more than £200 as good m20's are about £300

[jon-m42]

Thanks guys,

Mods can you please move this to the Tech Help section. Apologies for the inconvenience.

for the worst case how much would a m42 block be from the dealers ?

as i do intend to keep the motor for as long as i live and would like to maintain it as best as I can. second hand blocks may come with all sorts of problems and hidden issues at least this way id be clear in mind that there should and will not be no issues.

[Demlotcrew]

Moved here

[jon-m42]

Having just had a quick pounder over this and speaking with a few local friends who are also into their motors.

I was advised to take off the Rocket cover oil cap and give that a sniff - it should smell like engine oil so i was told.

However to my senses it smelt like fuel, Now I do not know if this is signs of danger and or just normal ?

can anybody help me out to understand if this is normal ?

Thanks
jono

[Demlotcrew]

Are you making lots of small journeys?

[no1_jazz]

Hi Mate,

If your rocker cover oil cap is smelling of fuel your engine must be suffering some sort of discomfort.

My car is currently off road as one evening I was driving just after filling up and after I had made a few short start and stop journeys.

I accelerated upto 5k rpm off from the lights into 2nd and then 3rd, I am now cruising at a steady 50mph in 5th slowed down for the next set of traffic lights came to a stop and awaited till the lights turned green and In 1st gear just about to pull away I notice a straight loss of power and the car started to aggressively hunt puffs of white smoke coming out the exhaust straight away pulled over and switched it off, called a friend to tow it home for me.

A dreadful day to say the least but after further investigation I found my cylinder 2 had little to no compression and upon taking my rocker cover off it smelt of raw fuel.

I could have caused more damage than necessary so a complete strip down will now be taking place next month to rebuild it up again, slowly but surely.

I explain to you my story as my engine had similar symptoms as yours before it went all tits up.

I recommend you to get another compression test done from a mechanic who can give you honest yet accurate advice. It may turn out that you need a head gasket replaced and or any further mechanical work done.

Ill now let the gurus on here aid you as best as they can. Good luck with your motor and keep us all posted on your progress.

Jazz

[jon-m42]

Hi Demlotcrew,

I do make a fair few small journeys. Could this be the problem ?

Thanks Jazz for your input it seems you have a tough challenge on your hands.

I hope you get your engine sorted and I hope it is all repairable good luck with it all and make sure you keep us all posted with pictures.

The last thing I want to do is start to open the engine apart.

[Demlotcrew]

The smell of fuel is just fuel diluting in the oil, in a few cases it's perfectly normal. The e30 ECU has a warm up period where the enrichment map is used for the first ten minutes of a cold start. If you are doing lots of small journes this would cause the fuel to dilute in the oil. Another culprit could be a failed engine water temperature sensor (blue one on the head under the inlet, towards the front of the engine).

I wouldn't worry about it too much, if it's badly diluted just get the oil changed, fit a new temp sensor and see how you get on with that.

Andrew

[Demlotcrew]

BTW it's an M42, hardy little power plants.

[jon-m42]

The smell of fuel is just fuel diluting in the oil, in a few cases it's perfectly normal. The e30 ECU has a warm up period where the enrichment map is used for the first ten minutes of a cold start. If you are doing lots of small journes this would cause the fuel to dilute in the oil. Another culprit could be a failed engine water temperature sensor (blue one on the head under the inlet, towards the front of the engine).

I wouldn't worry about it too much, if it's badly diluted just get the oil changed, fit a new temp sensor and see how you get on with that.

Andrew

I did not know this. the warm up period could seem to be the problem. I have replaced my blue temp sensor which is placed under the manifold. I replaced this mid 2013. So this should in turn tell the ecu how hot/cold the car is right?

I do a fair few start and stop journeys but every time I stop over is for 20mins max each time and in that time I don't think the engine temp would go stone cold for the ecu to then kick in its warm up period.

this seems a strange one.

[Demlotcrew]

I dont think its that strange, its an old car, lots could be going wrong, unless you take it to someone who knows how to diagnose and repair the faults, then as far as I see it you have two options;

1. Don't use the car.
2. Use the car.

[jon-m42]

I dont think its that strange, its an old car, lots could be going wrong, unless you take it to someone who knows how to diagnose and repair the faults, then as far as I see it you have two options;

1. Don't use the car.
2. Use the car.

yes I very much guess so.

[alan1272]

i'd go for option 2.
if the worst happens (unlikely) it's not like another m42 engine is going to break the bank, they can be had for the cost of a service on some modern shite.

[jon-m42]

i'd go for option 2.
if the worst happens (unlikely) it's not like another m42 engine is going to break the bank, they can be had for the cost of a service on some modern shite.

This is so true however finding a good honest one would be a needle in a hay stack. This would then lead me to believe a rebuild is the only honest ay to knwo for sure that your engine should and would last another 20 odd years.

The down side to this is that the cost could quite literally break the bank .

option 2 it is while i ponder away in search of a good mechanic.