[keith41902]

Hi Guys,
I just bought a 09 LT with 49,000km. Before I left on a test drive I checked the oil through the glass and the glass had a whitish film on it. Kinda looked like butter. It wasn't the glass that was discoloured, but something stuck to it.
I went for a 20 min ride and came back, still the same thing. Not sure if the oil level was low because I couldn't see it due to this buttery smear on the glass.
I'm guessing there is water in the oil, or the very least moisture. The question is, where is coming from. Is coolant leaking in or is it just because it sat most of the winter. I had an 03 LT until last week and it never had this in the spring. Little worried I drive it off the lot and this thing implodes. Am I being paranoid?

Keith

 

[gary45]

if purchased from dealer ask them to change oil or better do it yourself to see what oil looks like

 

[mneblett]

I would also change the oil and check both the oil coming out and the new oil after a bit of riding.

As to sources if it is coolant, two primary: head gasket leak (very rare on a K12), or pump leak.

The coolant and oil pumps reside in a common housing at the front of the engine, with a seal between the two impellers. The seal is know to occassionally fail. The pump can be rebuilt, but by the time you total up the money for the rebuild, it's only a little mor efor a new pump -- which will give more "peace of mind."

But, don't jump to conclusions yet -- verify you have a real problem first.

Have you checked the level in the coolant reservoir? (under the seat, level view port on the left, visible after opening the saddlebag lid).

 

[gbob]

Hello Keith

Things can cause moisture to build up in the oil . The ones I have come to believe are
short trips - ride for an hour or more and see if there is a change in the milky look to the oil . I used Mobil 1 one winter , just 5 miles to work each day as low as 9 degF and the oil looked milky , 40 mile highway ride cleared it up . KLT motor is not hard on oil and does not get it very hot even when up to radiator fan turn on temp.
I change oil more often than need be so I changed to Rotella T and the cold weather / short trip milky oil thing all but quit .
But in your case also keep an eye on coolant use just for peace of mind .

Bob G
99LT sold
11RT

 

[deanwoolsey]

Check the coolant reservoir. If you have an oily ring inside the reservoir you likely have engine trouble.

 

[Cochinosucio]

Check the coolant reservoir. If you have an oily ring inside the reservoir you likely have engine trouble.

+1

 

[keith41902]

I'm calling the dealer right now and I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

K

 

[jzeiler]

FWIW my 330Ci I just bought scared me with a coating of milky film on the oil fill cap. It was just condensation and burned off after a good hours drive.

 

[fpmlt]

Me :deadhorse . Send a sample of oil in for analysis. It will tell you if it's just water (condensation) vs antifreeze (engine trouble).

 

[moralem]

Do you still have any warranty left with it being an 09 and less than 36k miles?

 

[K100Dennis]

Others have stated the fact that condensate is a real problem if you are doing short runs on the K12. This is absolutely correct, in fact it is a big problem, due to the large oil capacity and the fact that the engine takes quite some time to get to proper operating temp (while the oil continues to get cooled in the sump). I stopped riding my K100 the 5 Kms to work because of this. On the water pump leakage to the oil side possibility, not very likely as the water and oil pumps are separate and there is a tell-tale hole under the shaft midway between the 2. Water on ground = coolant leak and same for oil. Virtually impossible to get water into the oil here as the hole drains it off, but even if it were blocked the oil pressure is around 4 bar whereas the water pressure is 1.5 bar max, so more likely the oil would go into the water, but again, the tell tale hole will take care of that. I reckon it has been ridden on short runs, change the oil, stick some high detergent diesel oil in there and ride for 2 hours + , 2 benefits, engine will get a clean out and you'll have 2 hours worth of "smile on dial".

 

[RealWing]

My new 2006 LT started showing signs of coolant in the oil (via oil analysis and loss of coolant level in the reservoir) within the first 6000 miles. After several inconclusive tests by the dealer (coolant pressure tests showed no leak), BMW authorized the dealer to remove the cylinder head and a bad head gasket was found.

 

[2Wheelroadtrip]

A friend of mine had the same problem. We changed the sight glass and it cleared up the white stuff on it and he could now see his oil level. Maybe the dealer will change that when they change the oil. Oil analysis kits are easy to get from Carquest/Wix/Napa, filters. The cost of the kit covers the testing with online results.

 

[drags]

A 09 with 49k has not been setting around long enough to get moister in crank case that's a lot of miles for 09

 

[drags]

WHOOPS
I thought it was 49000 miles not Km

 

[jzeiler]

Total mileage has nothing to do with condensation. That is more related to too many short test drives during the sale process.