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....

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

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

Yea gav your 100% correct on that

Yea gav your 100% correct on that

I thought so, cheers Beemer

No problem gav

No she's not lacking in power at all.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.