BMW 318I EXHAUST SMOKE

[ZOMBIE]

Hi,

Just bought a 2004 318i touring sport, private sale, when it starts up in the morning, some white smoke, it looks like steam but is too excessive to be that much steam, it smells a bit like fuel. I have also read up it could be coolant seeping from the cylinder head, just hope this is not the case, the cylinder head was done over some time back, otherwise the car is fine the rest of the day with no smoke.

 

[Nic_s]

Does it go away once the car is properly warmed up?

 

[ZOMBIE]

Yes it does go away completly.. I have only drove the car twice and I have topped up the coolant as the light came on, monitoring it now to see if it needs to be topped up again!

 

[e46_325i]

post some pics of your new purchase... always keen to see other tourings! does not sound like a big issue with the "smoke", but have it checked anyway. :=):

 

[Nic_s]

If it goes away completely I don't think it's smoke from the engine. I think it's just because of the cold. My 318i and 540i do the same in the mornings. And I think the petrol smell might be because of the auto choke. When the car is cold it will run pretty rich until warmed up.

I'm no expert, but that's my understanding.

 

[Legacy]

Check if the cats are still there, our 540i has no cats and in the early morning it steams like CRAZY before it gets warm. No cats = lots of steam!