BLUE SMOKE Solved

[GeminiMike]

My car a 2002 318i E46 N42.

I have just had a sleepless experience regarding BLUE smoke from my exhaust. After reading may forums and replacing my Oil 3 times (I am now only using Castrol Edge Sport), oxygen sensor, PVC and all breather hoses which are 3 of them, we eventually found that it was Valve Stem Seals that were worn. My Beemer would only smoke a large puff when I pulled off from standing still at a robot. It never smoked on start up which gives me new RULE OF THUMBS - idle - accelerate - blue smoke = VSS. Any other time she was fine. This is a typical sign of a PVC, however I believe these don't give problems as opposed to the American version, but could be corrected. The problems come from the breather hoses that get brittle over time and there is a breather hose on top of the manifold that gets very soft, almost gungy and flattens completely looking like two hoses - it is covered with a spongy type material. I suggest replacing this immediately anyway. It was difficult figuring out if it was a breather problem, VSS or rings. My car has 240000km on the clock. Rings are excellent - compression is good. Valves and VSS were covered in oil.

Anyway just wanted to share this and send a huge thank you to RDS Diagnostics in Boksburg for helping me. He said VSS from the start. BMW said that the motor had to be rebuilt - thank F I never take my car near a steelership

 

[Dave]

what was your cost to have the valve stem seals done? and the complete job?

Mine doing the same.

 

[GeminiMike]

Hey Dave

I was quoted R 6000 for labor and recon head. R 1600 for the head. Labor was high. I took my car to RDS Diagnostics and hopefully should spend R 4000 incl parts and labor, but I only get her back on Wednsdayish and will know my final bill. I also had a broken exhaust valve spring.

Cost of gasket about R675 and seals R10 x 16

 

[Dave]

ok, so roughly

R1600 + R675 + R160 = R2435 (parts)
R1565 (labour)

that's not bad. i would do the labour bit myself, but don't want to take the chance of getting the timing wrong.

let me know how it goes,

 

[GeminiMike]

Yes plus minus a few. Cant wait to get her back - and will keep you informed. Why are you asking, are you having smoke issues

 

[e46 guy]

wow thanks mine has been doing the same for a while now, performance hasnt changed just fuel and oil consumption went through the roof im going to start with the PVC and hoses though if there is still smoke ill replace the VSS :thumbsup:

 

[Dave]

Yes plus minus a few. Cant wait to get her back - and will keep you informed. Why are you asking, are you having smoke issues

Yeah, had the block done, but the head was done a while back, so didnt have anything checked now. (stupid).

put everything back and now its smoking and the symptoms seem to be VSS.

 

[GeminiMike]

Well thank goodness in many ways - VSS is not a very expensive mission. The PCV is a 4 hour job and mine was actually O.K, however cost R1380 for the part and is much cheaper than VSS. I heard that the PCV does not give any hassles and one way to check is - while car is running, try pull off the oil cap - IF IT IS VERY HARD TO PULL OFF, LIKE USING BOTH ARMS TO TRY GET IT OFF. Then the PCV is probably blocked or leaking on one of the hoses.

 

[e46 guy]

Gemini are you from Boksburg?

can you please tell me where to find RDS Diagnostics

 

[GeminiMike]

Yes I am from Boksburg. RDS is behind BMW Alpina - 0823382891 Richard is the guy who owns it. If you driving down North Rand towards Benoni, turn left at bmw, then turn left a T-Junction, drive a few meters and on left, next to Astro Clutches or something like that. No signs for him as such but give a call.

 

[e46 guy]

Yes I am from Boksburg. RDS is behind BMW Alpina - 0823382891 Richard is the guy who owns it. If you driving down North Rand towards Benoni, turn left at bmw, then turn left a T-Junction, drive a few meters and on left, next to Astro Clutches or something like that. No signs for him as such but give a call.

aahhh thanks man i know where the astro clutch is schweet :thumbsup:

 

[GeminiMike]

O.K okes so got my car back today and she is one schweeeeeeet puppy. Feels like new again

 

[Dave]

Nice, im sure you must be happy to not see smoke! any breakdown on your cost please?

 

[Gizmo]

Glad to hear it.:thumbsup:

 

[Lamis]

Hi. I also have a 2002 318i and she uses a crazy amount of oil. about 4 litres in 6200km. Has 143000km on the clock so can't understand why. There's also some blue smoke on pullaway but only when she's up to normal operating temperature. Was told that it's rings but I had a compression test done and it's fine....? Could this also just be Valve stem seals? Is there a a diagnostic test which could tell me this for sure?

 

[Twinz]

Thx Mike for posting this thread. I know someone that has simillar issue. Thx