Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

White stuff in engine oil: Coolant or water condensation?

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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 02:47 PM
  #1  
ItalianJobR53's Avatar
ItalianJobR53
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2nd Gear
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From: Southern Indiana
White stuff in engine oil: Coolant or water condensation?

I parked my car after driving for 5 minutes and pulled the dipstick 5 minutes later to see this:

Now, it is still hovering around 20 - 30F here and my daily commute is 5 minutes. So, I was thinking that this is condensation.
So, I drove around for 45 minutes and pulled the dipstick immediately after I parked the car to see this:

So, the white stuff is less, but its still there.
I cleaned the dipstick and checked 10 15 minutes later; there was no white stuff on the dipstick.
Any idea if this is coolant?

On a side note, I had the car checked out by Detroit Tuned about a month ago.
They diagnosed a pressure loss in the coolant system. According to them, the loss is either due to a leaky water pump or a cracked head. I have also topped up my coolant twice in the past 15000 miles (6 months).
 
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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 02:55 PM
  #2  
Whine not Walnuts's Avatar
Whine not Walnuts
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From: Fuquay Varina, NC
What is that saying about walks like a duck, has a cracked head like a duck chances are it is a duck . . . .

That does look like more than just condensation.
 
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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 03:00 PM
  #3  
ItalianJobR53's Avatar
ItalianJobR53
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From: Southern Indiana
Originally Posted by Whine not Walnuts
What is that saying about walks like a duck, has a cracked head like a duck chances are it is a duck . . . .

That does look like more than just condensation.
I was afraid someone was gonna say this.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2018 | 06:43 AM
  #4  
RUPNOK's Avatar
RUPNOK
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2017
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No bueno, but a top end tear down is not too difficult.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2018 | 09:49 AM
  #5  
pnwR53S's Avatar
pnwR53S
6th Gear - NAM Hall of Fame
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From: soggy pnw
Originally Posted by ItalianJobR53
I parked my car after driving for 5 minutes and pulled the dipstick 5 minutes later to see this:

Now, it is still hovering around 20 - 30F here and my daily commute is 5 minutes. So, I was thinking that this is condensation.
So, I drove around for 45 minutes and pulled the dipstick immediately after I parked the car to see this:

So, the white stuff is less, but its still there.
I cleaned the dipstick and checked 10 15 minutes later; there was no white stuff on the dipstick.
Any idea if this is coolant?

On a side note, I had the car checked out by Detroit Tuned about a month ago.
They diagnosed a pressure loss in the coolant system. According to them, the loss is either due to a leaky water pump or a cracked head. I have also topped up my coolant twice in the past 15000 miles (6 months).
The photo is not clear enough for us to see the white stuff. The lighter tip could have been just lighting for all we know. Also you said you top up the coolant twice but not telling us how much so useless information.

Water is heavier than oil so the dipstick check tells you very little. I would drain the oil and look carefully to be definitive.
 
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