Can anyone explain this? (oil+coolant mix)

[static]

Hi

Saw something strange last night: when i removed the old CLT sensor, i saw the infamous 'cocktail' of coolant and oil inside. Note that i have not seen anything like this under valve cover nor in the drained coolant.

What gives? is this normal? or my gasket is starting to go?

i also noticed some dried up blue coolant residue on the right rear corner where head meets the block - gasket? (i will attach pics later)

Thanks
Alex

[matt]

Ever run water wetter? It's probably not a big deal. Or your gasket might be starting to go.

[e30s52]

Ever run water wetter? It's probably not a big deal. Or your gasket might be starting to go.

thats what im thinking. i have encounterd this twice now. once on a ford taures, thier was a crack in the head where the coolent passed through and the other was two stupid kids trying to do an oil change and put the oil in the rad.:letitout: took me 7 hours to get all the oil out of the system.

[static]

here are some pics that potentially be HG leak. What do you guys think?
The compression is good, haven't checked leakdown.






Alex

[matt]

Yep, probably the head gasket starting to go.

No telling how long you have. Probably not urgent, but be prepared.

[E30_fiend]

I wouldn't say be prepared I'd say down the car and get to it now so it doesn't cause a problem later.

Very few people tend to check their water temp while driving on the freeway and that's where this problem could let loose.

Take the opportunity to take care of it before it goes because it will go.

Ticking time bomb.


E30Fiend

[static]

well, considering that i have just buttoned up the engine after changing retainers, seals, vanos, tensioners, etc, etc I am really reluctant to take it all apart again. Maybe next winter.

i wouldn't call a gasket a ticking time bomb. Retainers, e36 cooling system and oil pump nut ARE time bombs