What's in my oil catch can?

Houranimd49 · 10-12-2023, 02:35 PM

2011 535i with 109,300 miles currently. The car has virtually been problem free in the last 60,000 miles that I have owned it.

It was time to replace the leaking OFHG (block side) and I figured I will add an oil catch can because I started to see a bit of excessive oil within the charge pipe.

Please see the attached photo. This is after 300 miles with an oil catch can and I have also noticed that the oil cooler gasket (which was done a few thousand miles ago) is once again leaking. I should also mention that i flushed the coolant out at the same time I did the OFHG (300ish miles).

My question is, is this coolant and is it due to the leaking oil cooler gasket?

B-Buster · 10-12-2023, 05:16 PM

That looks like the same substance that is in my OCC for the last 20k. On the N55 it doesn't really collect much oil, but I like the idea of that water not reaching my engine.

For 300miles it might be a bit excessive, but I do see a difference in it sometimes filling up quite fast and other times not so much. Due to weather conditions maybe?

I'd empty the can and check back in 500 miles to see what is added.

Conserve · 10-12-2023, 05:33 PM

I think has to do with short distance driving. Engine gets hot enough, but not for enough time to allow evaporate engine internal moisture.

Houranimd49 · 10-12-2023, 05:44 PM

I should add that I drive a minimum of 40 miles daily (to and from work) and maybe once a week 100 miles in a day. Is that still considered short distance?

It seems like it’s condensation. I’m not entirely sure.

StradaRedlands · 10-12-2023, 09:37 PM

Most likely just condensation, but with your drives, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
So yeah, maybe coolant? When you look at your coolant, is there any oil in it?

Unspec · 10-13-2023, 09:06 PM

It's condensation mixed with a bit of oil, which forms a nice chocolate smoothie.

Houranimd49 · 10-13-2023, 10:41 PM

Appears the consensus is condensation. I’ll take it and run. Thanks guys!

Now…someone tell me why my oil cooler gasket keeps failing prematurely…

Unspec · 10-13-2023, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houranimd49

Appears the consensus is condensation. I’ll take it and run. Thanks guys!

Now…someone tell me why my oil cooler gasket keeps failing prematurely…

Make sure it's properly lubed up before install so that it doesn't tear or fold over

B-Buster · 10-14-2023, 06:10 PM

What Unspec said, and make sure the bolts are torqued at the right spec. Overtightening can also cause the gasket to start leaking again. Also clean the old residue really well.

Is the gasket OEM or aftermarket brand?

Houranimd49 · 10-14-2023, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Buster

What Unspec said, and make sure the bolts are torqued at the right spec. Overtightening can also cause the gasket to start leaking again. Also clean the old residue really well.

Is the gasket OEM or aftermarket brand?

I only buy from fcp euro! I of course torqued correctly. I don’t dare free tighten on these finicky cars. Luckily these only take like 10 mins to swap out but I’m tired of changing it so prematurely.

Conserve · 10-15-2023, 10:18 AM

Make sure oil filter housing and heat exchanger grooves are super clean. Assuming cylinder head surface has no burs and is flat. Next time check it with straight edge. Do you use new bolts or existing one?

Regards,

Houranimd49 · 10-15-2023, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conserve

Make sure oil filter housing and heat exchanger grooves are super clean. Assuming cylinder head surface has no burs and is flat. Next time check it with straight edge. Do you use new bolts or existing one?

Regards,

I was re-using bolts, but now I think I need to purchase new ones.

Conserve · 10-15-2023, 04:53 PM

I think using new bolts will solve leaking issue. Existing bolts are probably stretched. On the heat exchanger (#9), depends on which version you have, bolts length are different (item #10). Ask me how do I know.

Unspec · 10-17-2023, 05:46 PM

New bolts will not solve the issue. The bolts are steel, but the block is aluminum. The threads in the block are what gets stretched if the bolts are overtightened. I doubt that is the cause of the leak though.

StradaRedlands · 10-17-2023, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

New bolts will not solve the issue. The bolts are steel, but the block is aluminum. The threads in the block are what gets stretched if the bolts are overtightened. I doubt that is the cause of the leak though.

Yes, I was surprised that this had steel bolts when I re-did the gaskets.

Houranimd49 · 10-18-2023, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

New bolts will not solve the issue. The bolts are steel, but the block is aluminum. The threads in the block are what gets stretched if the bolts are overtightened. I doubt that is the cause of the leak though.

So what do you think is the cause of this recurrent premature gasket failure?

Unspec · 10-18-2023, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houranimd49

So what do you think is the cause of this recurrent premature gasket failure?

9 times out of 10 it's user error

Houranimd49 · 10-18-2023, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

9 times out of 10 it's user error

So I guess I have to do this 7 more times 😅

Unspec · 10-19-2023, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houranimd49

So I guess I have to do this 7 more times 😅

I presume you're using a torque wrench when tightening? Or just going "good and tight"?

Houranimd49 · 10-19-2023, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

I presume you're using a torque wrench when tightening? Or just going "good and tight"?

Torque wrench absolutely. It really isn’t even much torque anyways. I think 11ftlb?

10-12-2023, 02:35 PM	#1
Houranimd49 First Lieutenant 252 Rep 332 Posts Drives: F10 535i xDrive, F25 xDrive35i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 xDriv ... [9.25] 2011 BMW 535i xDrive [9.50]	What's in my oil catch can? 2011 535i with 109,300 miles currently. The car has virtually been problem free in the last 60,000 miles that I have owned it. It was time to replace the leaking OFHG (block side) and I figured I will add an oil catch can because I started to see a bit of excessive oil within the charge pipe. Please see the attached photo. This is after 300 miles with an oil catch can and I have also noticed that the oil cooler gasket (which was done a few thousand miles ago) is once again leaking. I should also mention that i flushed the coolant out at the same time I did the OFHG (300ish miles). My question is, is this coolant and is it due to the leaking oil cooler gasket? Attached Images
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10-12-2023, 05:16 PM	#2
B-Buster Enlisted Member 24 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F10 535i, E63 650i Join Date: May 2020 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	That looks like the same substance that is in my OCC for the last 20k. On the N55 it doesn't really collect much oil, but I like the idea of that water not reaching my engine. For 300miles it might be a bit excessive, but I do see a difference in it sometimes filling up quite fast and other times not so much. Due to weather conditions maybe? I'd empty the can and check back in 500 miles to see what is added.
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10-12-2023, 05:33 PM	#3
Conserve Private First Class 186 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 1976 BMW 2002 & 2015 BMW535i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I think has to do with short distance driving. Engine gets hot enough, but not for enough time to allow evaporate engine internal moisture.
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10-12-2023, 05:44 PM	#4
Houranimd49 First Lieutenant 252 Rep 332 Posts Drives: F10 535i xDrive, F25 xDrive35i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 xDriv ... [9.25] 2011 BMW 535i xDrive [9.50]	I should add that I drive a minimum of 40 miles daily (to and from work) and maybe once a week 100 miles in a day. Is that still considered short distance? It seems like it’s condensation. I’m not entirely sure.
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10-12-2023, 09:37 PM	#5
StradaRedlands Colonel 4941 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.21] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [7.90] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.63] 2011 BMW 528i [8.75] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	Most likely just condensation, but with your drives, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. So yeah, maybe coolant? When you look at your coolant, is there any oil in it?
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10-13-2023, 09:06 PM	#6
Unspec Colonel 1300 Rep 2,591 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 535xi Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: DMV iTrader: (1)	It's condensation mixed with a bit of oil, which forms a nice chocolate smoothie. __________________ 2015 BMW 535xi Bootmod3 Stage 2 \| ER charge pipe \| ER Catted DP \| Remus Exhaust \| Gplus FMIC \| KW V3 \| Turner Monoball thrust arm bushings \| Wallet regrets ISTA VM Setup/Tutorial
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10-13-2023, 10:41 PM	#7
Houranimd49 First Lieutenant 252 Rep 332 Posts Drives: F10 535i xDrive, F25 xDrive35i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 xDriv ... [9.25] 2011 BMW 535i xDrive [9.50]	Appears the consensus is condensation. I’ll take it and run. Thanks guys! Now…someone tell me why my oil cooler gasket keeps failing prematurely…
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10-14-2023, 06:10 PM	#9
B-Buster Enlisted Member 24 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F10 535i, E63 650i Join Date: May 2020 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	What Unspec said, and make sure the bolts are torqued at the right spec. Overtightening can also cause the gasket to start leaking again. Also clean the old residue really well. Is the gasket OEM or aftermarket brand?
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10-15-2023, 10:18 AM	#11
Conserve Private First Class 186 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 1976 BMW 2002 & 2015 BMW535i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Make sure oil filter housing and heat exchanger grooves are super clean. Assuming cylinder head surface has no burs and is flat. Next time check it with straight edge. Do you use new bolts or existing one? Regards,
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10-15-2023, 04:53 PM	#13
Conserve Private First Class 186 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 1976 BMW 2002 & 2015 BMW535i Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I think using new bolts will solve leaking issue. Existing bolts are probably stretched. On the heat exchanger (#9), depends on which version you have, bolts length are different (item #10). Ask me how do I know. Attached Images Last edited by Conserve; 10-15-2023 at 04:56 PM.. Reason: .
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10-17-2023, 05:46 PM	#14
Unspec Colonel 1300 Rep 2,591 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 535xi Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: DMV iTrader: (1)	New bolts will not solve the issue. The bolts are steel, but the block is aluminum. The threads in the block are what gets stretched if the bolts are overtightened. I doubt that is the cause of the leak though. __________________ 2015 BMW 535xi Bootmod3 Stage 2 \| ER charge pipe \| ER Catted DP \| Remus Exhaust \| Gplus FMIC \| KW V3 \| Turner Monoball thrust arm bushings \| Wallet regrets ISTA VM Setup/Tutorial
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