White sludge on oil cap

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Dave trd neal

Member
Hi all. This is my first post as just 2 weeks ago I bought a 2007 3.0l automatic z4 coupe. I love the car and always wanted one but slight issue with white gunk build up on oil cap. Has anyone else experienced this with there z4? The car only covered 200 miles in 2 years! This was when it’s oil was last changed so I cleaned cap took it to bmw dealer and replaced oil/filter. 1 week on the white sludge is there. I do very short journeys and only just gets warm also I know it’s cold out but would appreciate a little feed back from you guys who know a lot more about the cars. I drives perfect and only covered 21000 so figure it can’t be too bad. Thanx for your time.
Dave
 
So are you losing coolant, if not it's just condensation. Give the car a good run. Short runs are not good for the engine, you need to get the oil above water boiling point.
 
Well firstly, welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

And congratulations on buying a Coupe - they're great, and yours is hardly even run in!

Assuming it drives right and doesn't overheat it's most likely your short journeys are the cause of the white gunk. So go home the long way, put some miles on it and give it a bit of a blast now and again. :driving:

And you could always introduce yourself in the Newbies section of the forum, but make sure you include some photos of the car if you do!
 
"I do very short journeys and only just gets warm"

I think you've answered your own question!
As flybobbie suggests, give the car a good run and avoid short runs whenever possible. The gunk is nothing more than emulsified oil residue but it shouldn't be allowed to build up.
Clean it up, and If it was my car and I intended to keep it, I would lift the covers and clean up properly, then drive it :thumbsup:
 
Thanx a lot guys,that’s put my mind at ease even tho I thought it may be the case. I’ll go on the newbie page soon an post some pics
 
if your only doing short jurneys, just do a oil change each year rather than when the service indicator tells you to, and in winter take it out odd time for a longer driver to get everything nice on hot.

When i first got car i slightly panicked when i saw it, but previous car didnt. but the heads are quite tall and plastic unlike other cars where where it was compact and had a metal cover
 
Defo head gasket blown, best sell it to me. I will give you scrap value :wink:
Oh, hold on, it's a coupri, never mind :rofl:
Take it for a good long drive, that ll sort it out.
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
 
200miles in 2 years! Wow! Like WOW! :o

I'd echo some of the previous comments. Longer runs where you're up to full temperature are better. If you're using so infrequently then oil changes every year may seem silly but class it as general maintenance. These cars are getting on a bit, and they're brilliant, but you have to look after it too! Best to keep on top with all other fluids changes/refresh as well (coolant, brake fluid, fuel, etc) and consumables like tyres.
 
Thanx again guys I really appreciate it. My first bmw as always wanted 1 but expect a few surprises with a 12 year old car. Great forum by the way and I’m real impressed with some of members car history.
 
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