help please... head gasket

[318i1989]

hi, I was planning on a 240 mile round trip from Bucks to Canterbury this weekend so i thought I'd check my levels before the trip...

Unfortunately I was more than a little surprised when i checked the dipstick and saw the dreaded mayo substance on there.

The car's a 318i M40 with 125k miles on it and it's always driven nicely and is the 1st time there's been any sign of mayo.

Either way, I gave it an oil and filter change before the trip and removed any mayo from the dipstick and oil filler cap. On the journey it ran ok for maybe 50 miles or so but a bit lumpy, however after that it ran really smoothly and responsively the rest of the way and all the way back with no more signs of mayo.

Should I be alarmed due to the signs of mayo even though it's running very nicely after the oil change?

cheers

[wildeian]

Keep an eye on it, could have just been condensation or some other water drawn in, not necessarily head gasket.

Fingers crossed!!

[Brianmoooore]

and it's always driven nicely

Here's the problem! Engines need to be thrashed from time to time.

[318i1989]

and it's always driven nicely

Here's the problem! Engines need to be thrashed from time to time.

There's no worries about that I should've rephrased it a bit though. I meant I look after the engine quite well so I drive it smoothly and I don't rev it until the engines warmed up properly. but it usually gets a thrashing up to the red line now and again.

Is there much cause of concern? Am a bit worried the engine will die on me even though the engine feels strong enough to me (not too tappety either). The last oil service and major service was a bit long ago (around 7k miles) with castrol gtx and it had it's 2nd oil service a few days ago.

I'm thinking of doing another oil and filter service within 2k miles as I figure it can't do any harm?

cheers

[318i1989]

btw, forgot to ask. If my worst fears are true and the dreaded mayonnaise rears its ugly head again indicating my head gasket might be on its way out, would the engine be on its last legs failing a new cylinder head etc....?

[Brianmoooore]

Keep an eye on the coolant level.
If it doesn't use water, then the mayo can only be condensation.
When the car uses water and appears to make oil is the time to worry!

[Speedtouch]

What did you think of Canterbury then mate?

[318i1989]

Keep an eye on the coolant level.
If it doesn't use water, then the mayo can only be condensation.
When the car uses water and appears to make oil is the time to worry!

great thanks, I've been checking the coolant levels frequently along with the dipstick etc and it's not going down so I guess it could be condensation then due to the cold weather. Having checked the dipstick again and the oil filler cap there are no more traces of mayo at the moment thankfully!

What did you think of Canterbury then mate?

Canterbury was great cheers mate. I actually used to go the the Uni of Kent in Canterbury for about 4 years so I'm really familiar with the city. I visit my girlfriend there though who's studying at Canterbury Christ Church uni still, so I still head down there every couple of weeks. I enjoy the cruise in the Bmw though especially down the M2 where you can put your foot down.
Do you live in Canterbury mate?

[Brianmoooore]

I actually used to go the the Uni of Kent in Canterbury

And me, but a long, long time ago!

[Nelly]

I spent a few years down there as well - Sandwich to be precise, Howe Bks opposite the Mill house pub

Also seen the inside of the Police station a few times lol.

[wildeian]

Howe Bks

+

Also seen the inside of the Police station a few times

= (Ex) Squaddie???

[318i1989]

The police are a bit harsh in that area. I got a caution there just for cycling fast on the icy high street with no lights.....sods made me walk back 2 miles good job they didn't breathalise me although i'm not sure if it's illegal to cycle when you're over the limit