Water in the valve cover vent line?

[R4g3fist]

Hello all,

I've got an 87 325i, all stock. I've been developing the idle wonkiness that happens as time wears on and one skimps on maintenance, so I decided to start diagnosing and replacing as needed.

I went to replace the valve cover vent line. Nasty. But what got me was that it had what looked to be water mixed with the oil deposits inside the line. Is this common for the line as it gets old? Checked the dipstick after that, no water or frothing that I can see. Cracked the drain plug as well after I took the car out for a short jog, clean oil. <shrug>

Any ideas?

[jlevie]

In cooler weather it is quite common to find water and/or a milky emulsion in the coldest part of the engine. Like under the valve cover or in a vent line.

[R4g3fist]

Hmm, true enough. I guess I totally ruled out it being condensation for some unkown mental reason. Thanks.