E34 M5 Head Gasket question

[D_T_W]

Evening all

Went to look at an M5 today, looked like a rather nice one, however upon opening the oil filler cap there was evidence of white gunk on the cap, and on pulling the dip stick it seemed to be in oil as well. Took the car for a 20 minute drive and on return the gunk had gone.
The car has been sitting outside for a few weeks, with only a run round the block a couple of times. Could the gunk be caused by the car sitting outside for a period of time, or is it a definite sign the gasket is away?

Suggestions?

[belleair302]

I would want to see the service history of the car before driving it....who has looked after the car and what work has been done over the last two years or 25,000 miles.

Log onto www.m5board.com and post your entry in the E34 section. I would want the car looked at by a specialist before handing over my money, trust me I run a 3.8 and a good one is superb, but a bad one is worse than owning a boat or a horse!

[Neil.D]

Doing the odd trip aound the block is not good for cars as the engine oil wont heat up to tempreture and can cause a mayonaise type look underneath the filler cap. this is a mixture of moisture and oil then will be burnt away after a long trip. It doesnt always indicate head gasket. How did the coolant look? Was the car running hot?
Buy carefully, these cars can be bought for peanuts and have been so for many years and can fall into the hands of burberry/rockport/reebok classic wearing pondlife scum.