Reply With Quoterelax, it could just be residual from a past headgasket job. Dont worry about it, if something is really wrong you will know it.
oil in expansion tank
Hi! I recently bought a 1992 525i with about 170,000 miles and the m50 motor. I was checking all the fluids today and I noticed what appears to be oil in the expansion tank next to the radiator. Just to be sure, I put a long screwdriver down in there and looked carefully at the fluid. It looks like engine oil. What should I do? I fear that there is a head gasket problem, but the car runs great, doesn't ever overheat and the oil level is spot on and the oil on the dipstick looks fine. What should I do next? I do my own work and don't have a mechanic that I trust. Have done a headgasket before and hope that isn't the problem here.
Green Beret Special Ops
relax, it could just be residual from a past headgasket job. Dont worry about it, if something is really wrong you will know it.
95 E34 530I V2.37
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Major Contributor
I'd change the coolant (flush the system) and then observe the new coolant's condition. If oil does not reappear then Jeff is probably right and it was just residual oil from a previous HG job.
5-10 Grand Master
you can usually wick most of the oil out of the tank with strips of cloth or paper towel, clean it as best as you can and see if it comes back
all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it
Major Contributor
Another thing to consider is that it could be auto trans fluid- if the car is an auto. The trans cooler is inside the end cap of the radiator, if it develops a crack it will allow trans fluid to seep into the coolant (ask me how I know....).
Bret
Big Time Poster
what color is it?
1992 BMW 525iT (sold)
1998 V70R
5-10 Grand Master
after it's heated in the coolant it all looks like baby ****
Originally Posted by brick8
all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it
4 Grand Master
Better than flushing- the heat cycles work to bring the oil to the float in the top of the tanks, if you flush, the oil clings to the insides so you don't get as much of it out as you mightt think.... I'd do both, check your coolant is blue btw, if it isn't its probably worth changing anyway(Yellow is OK, but green is bad, jic u don't know)
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08/88 535i e34 M30+miller MAF, 'stiens, tints & teeth!
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