white gunge on oil cap

[mark33bmw]

Hello people, recently got myself my first BMW and have discovered proper handling (cant believe it took me this long to get one, been driving for 17 years for gods sake). Anyhoo my e34 is only a 518 (1993), not the biggest engine i know! but just a starter while i learn the finer side of rear wheel drive, the car is really clean and has been very well maintained by BMW and independant specialists, but i have noticed a white residue on the oil cap, i dont seem to be losing water though, does anyone know if there are any relativeley easy checks i can make or is this a definate sign of a cracked/warped head before i go to the steps of replacing the engine as it's cheaper than having the head removed, skimmed and replaced.
Thanks for your time.
Mark.

[ArtemLepilov]

Umm, white residue? It is better if you could post some pics of what the cap looks like.. Also if it really is coolant then you need to figure out what is wrong, however most likely it really is something wrong with the head and not the head gasket, because if it was a gasket you would see smoke pouring out of the exhaust pipe. The only way to be sure, post up some pictures so we know exactly what it looks like and the only way to know what exactly is wrong with the head is to take the thing off. And examine it.

PS. Are you considering swapping the engine with a larger one? or are you going for the fuel economy?


-Artem

[Dan in NZ]

Sometimes a little white residue is normal, from condensation or something... Maybe just leave it for a while and see how it goes.

[Kalevera]

Mark, the valvetrain will froth the oil -- it's normal. Have a look at it when the car is dead cold.

best, whit

[tim]

With the price of gas I wish I had a 518. What kind of MPG do you get?

[2fast]

I did not know that they made a 518 you learn something every day on this board.

[Interceptor]

I did not know that they made a 518 you learn something every day on this board.

Well, yes, they've made it, but only for european markets. I guess 115 HP in car that weights a ton and a half was not very popular in the US.

[BobHarris]

If you only do short journeys, then any condensation in the oil does not have a chance to evaporate, and can form the residue that you are talking about. The head is extremely unlikely to warp as it is so short compared to the six cylinder engines. I had a 93 518 for almost 5 years, mine over heated badly on a number of occasions from things like snapped fan belts and bad fan cluthes, but never had major problems once the cause was repaired.

I used to get about 25 to 30 MPG out of it unless I went on a really long Motorway trip then it could be as much as 35 to 40 MPG.

I never really had any issues with the power while I had it, but would miss the power of the 530 if I had to go back.

HTH

All the best

Bob

[mark33bmw]

Hello Artem,

No! I only bought the 518i while i master rear wheel drive, in a year or so while i save my pennies i am hoping to buy an M5 but after doing a little research i am currently locked in the minefield of 3.6 5spd or 3.8 6spd. I have had a few different types of vehicle over the years but have only just got round to getting a BMW and i can tell straight away (even with a 12 year old car) that i will stick with them forever, however i have never known a marque that offers so many choices when you have selected your favourite and every version or EVO has an army of fans all arguing that the model they drive is the best! decisions decisions!!!
mark

[mark33bmw]

Hello dan,
You will be happy to know that your answer is absoluteley spot on! I took the car to a BMW specialist and he did a number of small checks (emmisions, dip stick residue, coolant residue) which took about 5 minutes and confirmed that the emulsified oil on the oil cap is due to cold air travelling over the top of the engine which causes condensation on the cap resulting in the white gunge, i have only just noticed it as here in the UK winter is setting in and the cold snap is the cause.
many thanks for your response.
mark