My 316i compact was overheating. It was found to have no thermostat and a blocked radoiator. It was fine for a few days when they were installed/replaced but the other day when i started it the idle was sluggish, oil light gave a flash once and lots of smoke from the rear. Under the oil cap is white but the dipstick is not. Is this definetely the head gasket blown or could it be simply related to the radiator etc being worked on? I have started it once since and there was no smoke and no odd noises? Please help, only had car 2 weeks!

doesn't sound good.

first I would have test "leakdown", that should give you a good indication.

you can change the oil, then take a sample and send it in for analysis.

What color was the smoke?

White smoke means a leaking headgasket that's allowing coolant to enter a cylinder.
Blue smoke is oil burning. Usually from bad valve seals or worn rings.
Black smoke is excessive fuel.

I dont remember what colour the smoke was as i was in such a panic! Could it be cos therew was no stat for a while and the oil wasnt always heating up? Or condensation from short trips in the rain? Something positive pleas folks!!! Its starting fine noew and not giving any smoke? Should i try an oil top up then a short drive? Could the oil pump be an option?</PRE>

the leakdown test is the cheapest and most telling........

no t-stat would usually make it run cold. perhaps previous owner nknew there was a problem, so pulled it out to try and keep it cold.

I dont remember what colour the smoke was as i was in such a panic! Could it be cos therew was no stat for a while and the oil wasnt always heating up? Or condensation from short trips in the rain?
No!
Its starting fine noew and not giving any smoke? Should i try an oil top up then a short drive? Could the oil pump be an option?</PRE>
A failed or failing oil pump would not cause smoke from the exhaust, but it would cause other (more serious) problems.

We don't get these in NA. so I can't say whether it applies. A failed CCV can cause blue smoke on occasion (usually only at startup) and it can cause a rough idle.

Yeah im pretty sure the previous owner knew of the problem. The garage told me they probably knew of the overheating but rather than fix it they removed the stat. Not happy. I am now struggling to get it towed to the garage due to where i live. Would it be insane to drive it there or would that cause it to go major? Could it sieze up while driving? As i said, now there is no smoke?

If it isn't smoking now or overheating and is running smoothly it shouldn't hurt to drive it a reasonable distance to a shop.

Do make sure that coolant and oil are at their proper levels.

start it up, idle for about 15 mins and drive it. not too far now. like around the block. come back check your oil. if its milky. HG time!

trust me i feel the pain. but yours will be easy


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I started it up and let it idle for a while like you said. It started fine. Maybe sluggish for 3 secvonds or so before reaching normal idle. Very little smoke tho (nighttime so cant really see colour but id say white unless when blue its kinda close or is it a major difference in colour?) Took a short drive, driving fine, no overheating. When i got back and checked under the oil cap there was a little bit of discolour. It was kinda browny. I thought head gasket ment it would be white? Is this the same? Looking like head gasket then? BOOOOOOOOOOO to conmen!

easy look at your oil cap and take a look into the crankcase if you see like a milky yellow then its a headgasket.... its a 316 tho so replacing the HG will be a bit easier

or you can drain your oil, the dipstick too will look more like chocalte milk or caramel. white means more water than coolant. take so oil and so water, mix in a shake can. it will turn whitish. mix coolant and oil, it will turn to caramel. just dont drink it

Its been at the mechanic and he says all is fine? When i was driving it there it was smoke free. Didnt lose water, no noise, heaters working. #there was slight brownish/caramel under the oil cap tho. I was told this could be normal due to cold starts, dampness etc. Thing is, the oil wasnt discoloured before the thermostat and radiatoe problem was found and cured. Why now? Why the sudden smoke for a few days then nothing? I kinda got the feeling he was slightly uninterested. His advice was just drive it but keep an eye on water, oil and temp etc. Im going for a 2nd opinion but any ideas in the meantime?

just ride it for now

just ride it for now

did you buy the car from a private owner?

did you buy the car from a private owner?

Yeah i did. Im in the process of trying to claim back the cost of the repairs. Iv spoken to trading standards and i am entitled to claim back what iv had to pay since it was stuff that i was told was done. Took it for a 2nd opinion and they say the the head gasket is gone. Its at an earky stage but still gone. Another £600 blown on getting that repaired then.

just do it yourself for 100 bucks

just do it yourself for 100 bucks
I dont think i could manage that and i dont want to take the risk of taking it bits and not having a clue what im doing. Best to leave ir with the shop incase it needs skimmed and pressure tested. Thanks for the help folks.