Mayo/dirt seen in the coolent reservoir

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
SHAZ1
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: london

Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:50 pm

As said above, its a 325i Sport.

The colour of the coolent/water in the resevoir is brown/black it seems like oily and slightly grainy like sand grains and mayo like substance can be seen on the cap.
The water hasnt been replaced since the car was purchased ie; not serviced as of yet but will be sometime this month is this something that will be resolved with a service?

Is it normal or anything i should look at ie; should i flush the system would that help?
Or is it or can it be, a much serious issue?

Thanks
User avatar
pnd
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1801
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:00 pm

Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:57 pm

PROBABLY a cracked head this is common on these cars what about the oil filler cap is there mayo on that? Is it using water or blowing white smoke out of the exhaust under acceleration?
penton08
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1206
Joined: Sat May 10, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:02 pm

you could try to flush the water system and refill with coolant, but it sounds like the start of a head gasket/cracked head problem. are there any traces of water in the oil?
User avatar
SHAZ1
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: london

Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:04 pm

will check above this evening.
User avatar
SHAZ1
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: london

Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:06 pm

although its not using any water or blowing any smoke as described above.
User avatar
SHAZ1
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: london

Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:42 am

Just to update,

The inside of the head ie; as far as i can see through the oil filler hole with a flash light and the oil cap has no dirt or any mayo and actually looks pretty clean but i checked this while the car was parked for 24hrs so the oil all drained into the sump,

I also checked the dip stick and that was also very clean with the oil spot on the mark or just below and the oil colour is golden/ brown as should be i presume.

So any suggestions or further checking required?? please advice, or is next step garage for proper check up??

Thanks
kman82
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 967
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Oxford

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:48 am

How long have you had the car? When was the last oil change?
Post Reply