Strange Residue inside Engine Oil Filler Cap

[my_e36 43]

Does anyone know what are these?

Why are they there?

Is this normal?

e36 M52 engine, 1998 323i

[my_e36 43]

more pic

[318is 0]

What does the oil on your dipstick look like? Have you drained the oil or just woke up and thought you'd pop off the cap and have a look at it?

Those pics are hard to tell from -- looks like rust on my laptop monitor, but I doubt that unless you've had a head gasket problem in the past.

[Guest Andrew]

thought i'd go look to - 97 323 m52

looks the same!

[Guest Andrew]

and my oil looks like filth - badass

[Carl 3]

that residue is just sludge/varnish from mineral oil nasties that have broken down from heat and atomised all over your internals/breathers/cap

Edited November 7, 2005 by ///Carl

[my_e36 43]

318is: Oil looks normal for something with 8000km on it (ie dark brown). Not slimy or particularly smelly. I'll do an oil change before Christmas.

//Carl: Cheers for that, are they bad or will they do any damage?

How do I / should I get rid of them?

[nath 128]

If your cars are Jap or Singapore imports it is prob due to the oil not being changed at the recommended intervals.

[Carl 3]

Sludge and varnish will always occur unless you go for the fully synthetic oils and even then you'll still get it. Only a full engine flush can get rid of that stuff. It's not too bad unless you've got some massive build ups of the gunk, like nath said, not changing oil at good intervals exasperates the problem.

[isis 16]

that seriously can't be good...looks like you might have a head gasket problem. get it checked out asap!

check your radiator to see if there's any water in it as well...

[westy 614]

Seen it in both our 36s.

Apparently quite normal.