Oil in the cooling reservoir











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I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.



What would be the most like cause?










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  • Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
    – kokobill
    2 days ago










  • What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
    – Comintern
    2 days ago















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.



What would be the most like cause?










share|improve this question









New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
    – kokobill
    2 days ago










  • What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
    – Comintern
    2 days ago













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.



What would be the most like cause?










share|improve this question









New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I have milky white oil in the cooling reservoir. The vehicle in question is a BMW 318i and was bought 5 days ago.



What would be the most like cause?







engine bmw head-gasket






share|improve this question









New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 days ago









Martin

4,99711130




4,99711130






New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked Nov 22 at 3:31









wahed

161




161




New contributor




wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






wahed is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
    – kokobill
    2 days ago










  • What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
    – Comintern
    2 days ago


















  • Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
    – kokobill
    2 days ago










  • What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
    – Comintern
    2 days ago
















Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
2 days ago




Hi and welcome to mechanics.stackexchange. Your question needs a little clarification because it is hard to be understood.
– kokobill
2 days ago












What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
2 days ago




What year is it? Other than the head gasket, a common point of failure on BMW motors that can cause oil and coolant to mix is the oil filter housing gasket. Are there any visible signs of oil leaking on the motor? Note, if the engine has been steam cleaned, I'd be suspicious as to why at this point.
– Comintern
2 days ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote













Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    5
    down vote













    Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
    other possible issues are:




    • Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.

    • Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)

    • Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)


    Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
      – GdD
      2 days ago










    • @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
      – BossRoss
      2 days ago










    • He can try @BossRoss.
      – GdD
      2 days ago











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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    active

    oldest

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    active

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    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.






    share|improve this answer

























      up vote
      6
      down vote













      Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.






      share|improve this answer























        up vote
        6
        down vote










        up vote
        6
        down vote









        Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.






        share|improve this answer












        Welcome to Mechanics SE! A white milky, mayonnaise like substance is indicative of oil and water mixing. This could be down to a failed cylinder head gasket or a failed oil cooler. I'm not sure if your car has an oil cooler but the first thing I'd do would be to have the engine either compression or leak down tested. Either of these tests ought to indicate the condition of your cylinder head gasket.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 2 days ago









        Steve Matthews

        19.2k22968




        19.2k22968






















            up vote
            5
            down vote













            Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
            other possible issues are:




            • Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.

            • Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)

            • Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)


            Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
              – GdD
              2 days ago










            • @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
              – BossRoss
              2 days ago










            • He can try @BossRoss.
              – GdD
              2 days ago















            up vote
            5
            down vote













            Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
            other possible issues are:




            • Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.

            • Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)

            • Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)


            Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
              – GdD
              2 days ago










            • @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
              – BossRoss
              2 days ago










            • He can try @BossRoss.
              – GdD
              2 days ago













            up vote
            5
            down vote










            up vote
            5
            down vote









            Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
            other possible issues are:




            • Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.

            • Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)

            • Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)


            Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).






            share|improve this answer












            Textbook root cause nr. 1 would be a damaged head-gasket,
            other possible issues are:




            • Cracks in the engine head or, heaven forbid, the engine block.

            • Some issues with the oil heat exchanger (if equipped)

            • Issues with the transmission cooler (if equipped)


            Either way this is something serious, I would try to rollback the purchase (if possible) or let someone fix the issue (costly).







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 days ago









            Martin

            4,99711130




            4,99711130








            • 1




              You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
              – GdD
              2 days ago










            • @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
              – BossRoss
              2 days ago










            • He can try @BossRoss.
              – GdD
              2 days ago














            • 1




              You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
              – GdD
              2 days ago










            • @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
              – BossRoss
              2 days ago










            • He can try @BossRoss.
              – GdD
              2 days ago








            1




            1




            You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
            – GdD
            2 days ago




            You've been sold a car with issues @wahed, get your money back ASAP!
            – GdD
            2 days ago












            @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
            – BossRoss
            2 days ago




            @GdD that depends where the OP is located. In some countries, things are sold as is and no returns can be made once the sale is complete. It's up to the buyer to ensure what the buying satisfies their needs.
            – BossRoss
            2 days ago












            He can try @BossRoss.
            – GdD
            2 days ago




            He can try @BossRoss.
            – GdD
            2 days ago










            wahed is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










             

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