E46 330I

[The Cat]

Bmw e46 330i saloon with an SMG box

Think my head gasket is on the way out or gone as I have sludge on the filler cap and every now and then when I check the dipstick.

Had inspection 2 done about 2 months ago (same problem) where he said it might just be breathing heavy.

Not a problem until I check her oil level 3 days ago.

Then 2 days ago a cloud of blue smoke from the back pipe's but has not happened again since.

Seems to be running spot on.

Any Idea's Folks

Cheers the Cat....

[Luke]

Firstly welcome along, and it does sound like your gaskets is on the way out, are you lacking in power?

[G4VHD]

A shot in the dark here mate, as I dont got a clue about mechanics at all..

But is it true that oil gets into the water with blown gasket? Check your water for murkiness??

Need this comfirming though mate

[Luke]

Yea gav your 100% correct on that

[G4VHD]

Yea gav your 100% correct on that

I thought so, cheers Beemer

[Luke]

No problem gav

[The Cat]

No she's not lacking in power at all.

Also yes it's the old water and oil mix. Grrrrrr

[G4VHD]

I'd say gasket mate, park her up, book her in, get her fixed...sorry dude

[The Cat]

Though she seems not to use any water at all.

Had nothing but trouble since her Inspection 2. No idea why as I've only had her just before xmas.

[G4VHD]

Mate I cant help you much im a bit clueless with mechanics lol

Dabsy should be along soon, he is pretty good with stuff like this, im sure he will help.

[andy-mcq]

If your not losing water Im guessin you don't do alot of motorway miles? Go give her a good blast down the motorway. Might be condensation mixing with the oil. Won't do any harm, keep a eye on your temp gauge and do a oil change.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Firstly, get hold of a compression tester to see which (If any) cylinder is lower than the rest, if all good then I would guess the gasket could be ok...

Blue puffs of smoke when initial start-up could be valve stem seals/guides...

If the water in the rad is "milky" then this is a tell-tale gasket failure, take off the rad cap and run it, does it spit vigorously? If yes, then deffo gasket...

Like a true spanner, I would really need to be there to be 100%...

Heres a small tip... Put a bottle of K-Seal in the coolant.... If its such a slight gasket prob K-Seal with deal with it !!! Worked for me B)

Wish I had better news pal

[The Cat]

Cheers Dabsy for your input. It now seems the milky/sludge on the filler cap has disappeared no idea.

Also the blue smoke seems to be on holiday as well so think my car does have a mind like a woman sorry ladies but true.

Will do some more test's later in the week.