Rust colour sludge under oil filler cap

[Dino D]

I have a 2002 E46 330i with 54k on the clock.

Have had the car for a month and when topping up the oil I noticed a rust coloured sludge under the filler cap which wiped off pretty easliy.

The car has full service history and was fully serviced when I got it a month ago at 50k miles. I have coverd 4k miles and it required a 1l top up which I believe is not extraordinary, especially if the car is driven hard (which it is).

Is this sludge anything to worry about??

Thanks.

[steve_d]

This is normally condensation and related to cars that do short journeys where the engine does not get up to temperature or at least not for long enough to evaporate any water/condensate that has formed in the engine.
It sounds like you may now be driving the car a little harder than perhaps its last owner so the problem may go away on its own.

Steve

[Dino D]

I much prefer this reply to one I got on the BMW forum saying it may be headgasket problems

Either way I'm going to have it looked at by a mechanic to be sure as diagnosing on the internet is tough!!

But seeingas though we've started the diagnosis: the car doesn't run hot, hasn't used water and shows no untoward signs so I'm inclined to agree with you that it is just condensation (my wallet wants to agree with you too on this one although she is still under warranty).
Thanks

[thong]

its not headgasket loads of them do it,dont worrie.

[steve_d]

Dino D said:

.....Either way I'm going to have it looked at by a mechanic to be sure as diagnosing on the internet is tough!!.......

The only problem here is that unless you have a tame mechanic he may want it to be a head gasket.

If it is a head gasket the other signs will show themselves soon enough. I would leave well alone.

Steve

[Dino D]

thong said:

its not headgasket loads of them do it,dont worrie.

I thought it might be normal so when I first noticed it I simply wiped it away. Then I remebdered I have a 6 month warranty of the car with 5 months left to go so though I better check if this unusual or not before the warranty expires.

The cars in for an LPG conversion now and the mechanic there said it just looks like oil build up/condensation under the cap as it appears thet the oil doesn't circulate in that area.

Also, it appears from the log book that the prvious owner didn't rack up much mileage so indicates lots of short trips that cause condesation.

Cheers for the help guys.

[scruffy101]

My 911 has this and its got no water!Head gaskets have other symptoms and with the weather the way it is they will soon show up if it is this.Only take action if you have to,enjoy your car.

[Dino D]

scruffy101 said:

My 911 has this and its got no water!

Indeed!

I 've checked the water and its clear. I have been stuck in lots of traffic in this as well as giving it some beans and no water consumption or running hotter than normal so all is definitely ok.
Thanks guys