Oil Change; light brown residue

[Al Gray]

I just did an oil change on my 1992 525i with 183,000 miles. After I changed the oil I noticed a light brown residue with very small bubbles floating on the top of the oil in the oil change pan. Is this the beginning of a slight head gasket leak? If so, how difficult a job is this or should I leave this to a professional mechanic and if so what is the approximate cost? The car still runs great. What is your take on this situation?

[632 Regal]

brown is good, gray is bad. little bubbles aren't that unusual either. relax your Okay.

[Al Gray]

brown is good, gray is bad. little bubbles aren't that unusual either. relax your Okay.


Any clue as to what that brown stuff is? Just curious.

[632 Regal]

what was the procedure that you used to change the oil? IE ran it til just before you drained it, drained it cold etc?

[Interceptor]

what was the procedure that you used to change the oil? IE ran it til just before you drained it, drained it cold etc?
Oil should always be drained on a warmed up engine - then leave it at least half an hour to drain completely, to allow the oil from the hydraulic valve lifters to drain.

[Al Gray]

Oil should always be drained on a warmed up engine - then leave it at least half an hour to drain completely, to allow the oil from the hydraulic valve lifters to drain.


Oil was drained after engine warmed up and it drained for a good 25-30 minutes.

[632 Regal]

I would venture a guess it could have been slightly dissolved sludge buildup or from the residual when you changed the oil filter.