hi every one - United Bimmer Community

**julia50** · 08-19-2012, 06:27 PM

hi can anyone help me please i drive a 320i i brought my car in feb this year noticed oil was low it was over it service mile so i had service in may im ashamed to say have not checked my oil and water till friday as thought it would be ok, i heard what i thought was a ticking noise so checked oil and water both were empty i couldnt believe it, no sign of over heating and no oil light came on, what i did notice was at the bottom of the coolant tank was a milky substance my mechanic said its probly head gasket gone i filled both up and sat morning water was empty but oil was ok, i left it running for a good 15 to 20 mins and rechecked oil and water level once cooled down and the water level had gone down again anyone got any suggestions please

DEATH2000 · 09-03-2012, 09:24 PM

Welcome to United Bimmer.

The ticking noise is usually caused by the lifters after being starved of oil, or sitting for a long time. The noise can go away with proper oil changes, and usually adding an extra half quart.

Check your oil, if it is milky brown it means coolant has mixed. If your coolant is disappearing and their is no visible signs of leaks, then i hate to say it but your headgasket is probably blown. A compression test would tell you for sure.

The gasket itself is $74US, but its the labour that makes it a pain. If the car has overheated you have to send the Head off to be machined and planned and inspected for cracks or stress fractures. It takes less then a day to remove the head off the engine though. But putting it back and ensuring the timing is correct is what takes longer. This is why the repair is fairly expensive.

**julia50** · 09-04-2012, 09:16 AM

thanks for your response seems like ive been a dumb blonde well i can say that, it seems that the stick in the expansion tank is broken and the floater is stuck i thought that there was no water in the tank and i was over filling the expansion tank got it sorted now but will need to buy a new expansion tank and what i thought was oil was the float ah well i am a woman

DEATH2000 · 09-04-2012, 09:44 AM

Well that is a much better solution to the problem then a blown headgasket! It happens though and everyone makes mistakes.