Goo on dipstick

Henkan · 11-06-2021, 10:07 AM

Does anybody have any clue what the goo on the dipstick is? Reappears after I wipe it off so it does not seem to be a one time thing.

richardodn · 11-09-2021, 07:41 AM

It looks like water in the oil. It may be naturally occurring if you make a bunch of short trips and the car doesn't get up to operating temperature for very long. This is more pronounced in the colder weather. Worst case is a coolant leak into the oil due to a head gasket or other major issue. Yours doesn't look that bad as the oil is mostly good with a bit of "cream" on top. You'll probably see that too if you look under the oil cap. For peace of mind, I'd take it out for a longer drive (1/2 hour or so) and check it after that. Also, check your coolant for any oil.

cjengland · 11-09-2021, 11:50 AM

dipstick?whats that?Lol...mine don't even have one,can't find one for the transmission fluid either...

Henkan · 11-09-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardodn

It looks like water in the oil. It may be naturally occurring if you make a bunch of short trips and the car doesn't get up to operating temperature for very long. This is more pronounced in the colder weather. Worst case is a coolant leak into the oil due to a head gasket or other major issue. Yours doesn't look that bad as the oil is mostly good with a bit of "cream" on top. You'll probably see that too if you look under the oil cap. For peace of mind, I'd take it out for a longer drive (1/2 hour or so) and check it after that. Also, check your coolant for any oil.

Thanks, will look again after a longer trip, the oil cap looks good though. I guess the coolant level should decrease if there was a leak.

The car is my daughter's daily commute (about 20 km each way) so it should not really be that it does not get up to working temp.

Henkan · 11-09-2021, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjengland

dipstick?whats that?Lol...mine don't even have one,can't find one for the transmission fluid either...

Hmm, sure you're in the right forum? As far as I am aware no E83:s were manufactured without a dipstick. As for the tranny fluid you are quite right though.

cjengland · 11-09-2021, 07:49 PM

I have an 07 x3 3.0 osi and it has electronic oil check,have yet to find a way to check tranny fluid or even add any...

Henkan · 11-09-2021, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjengland

I have an 07 x3 3.0 osi and it has electronic oil check,have yet to find a way to check tranny fluid or even add any...

You are quite right, sir. The 3.0si seems to be without dipstick. Mine is a 2.0i though and does not have the electronic guage.

richardodn · 11-11-2021, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjengland

I have an 07 x3 3.0 osi and it has electronic oil check,have yet to find a way to check tranny fluid or even add any...

Tranny fluid check for the GM 6 speed auto is basically the same procedure as a fluid fill. You get it in the air and level. Bring it up to 30C. Then pump fluid into the fill hole until it starts to spill. If you want more detailed directions, they're in the Bentley manual. A filter replacement is on my list of things to do to my new to me '08.

Cali_MSport · 01-30-2022, 10:54 PM

I had some sludge goo looking similar to that after my x3 sat for about 6 months but mine was under the oil cap as well as on the dipstick I changed the oil
And haven't seen it again now that I'm driving the x3 frequently

11-06-2021, 10:07 AM	#1
Henkan Private 11 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW X3 E83, 650 F12, X3 G01 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Goo on dipstick Does anybody have any clue what the goo on the dipstick is? Reappears after I wipe it off so it does not seem to be a one time thing. Attached Images __________________ 2007 BMW X3 2.0i E83 2012 BMW 650i Convertible F12 2023 BMW X3 Xdrive 30e G01 Gone: 2002 BMW 330i Convertible E46 2020 BMW X3 Xdrive 30e G01
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11-09-2021, 07:41 AM	#2
richardodn First Lieutenant 160 Rep 349 Posts Drives: '12 X3 35iX/'20 440ix cabrio Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	It looks like water in the oil. It may be naturally occurring if you make a bunch of short trips and the car doesn't get up to operating temperature for very long. This is more pronounced in the colder weather. Worst case is a coolant leak into the oil due to a head gasket or other major issue. Yours doesn't look that bad as the oil is mostly good with a bit of "cream" on top. You'll probably see that too if you look under the oil cap. For peace of mind, I'd take it out for a longer drive (1/2 hour or so) and check it after that. Also, check your coolant for any oil. __________________ 1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler. 2008 Platinum-Beige X3 3.0si - Current project 2012 Alpine White X3 xDrive35i - My new snowmobile. 2020 Estoril Blue 440i xDrive cabrio w/MPPSK - This car is a blast to drive.
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11-09-2021, 11:50 AM	#3
cjengland New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 07 x3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Tn. iTrader: (0)	dipstick?whats that?Lol...mine don't even have one,can't find one for the transmission fluid either...
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11-09-2021, 07:49 PM	#6
cjengland New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 07 x3 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Tn. iTrader: (0)	I have an 07 x3 3.0 osi and it has electronic oil check,have yet to find a way to check tranny fluid or even add any...
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01-30-2022, 10:54 PM	#9
Cali_MSport Private First Class 30 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2013 F30, 06 325i, 07 328i Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Visalia, California 93291 iTrader: (0)	I had some sludge goo looking similar to that after my x3 sat for about 6 months but mine was under the oil cap as well as on the dipstick I changed the oil And haven't seen it again now that I'm driving the x3 frequently
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