e46 320d smoking- is this normal?

Idany

Member
I've always wanted to get myself a diesel bmw. I recently got an e46 320d. The car has some millage on it, but the overall condition of it is superb. Service history is not bad also. It was done at the franchise till 237 (currently on 311). The car has smoked ever since i got it a few weeks ago. I had cleared all faults on the car just a day or two after getting it. Later on i connected it to a scanner and found errors 4530 and 4212 using inpa. I also realized that it was overdue for a service. 

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I read a few forums and found that the glow plugs dont really matter much in the south african climate so i ignored that. here is a video of how it smoked 

[video=facebook]
I havent done much about the 4530 error since i dont have a cable with me to clear and test. I have since changed oil, cylinder head breather all filters (Air, oil, fuel) i even changed the pollen filter. :biglol: It looks a bit better but i think it should be less than this. here is a video

[video=facebook] Is this normal, if not what ideas do you have?
 

Kyle

///Member
If any, the smoke should be black. I would say that it’s definitely not normal, the engine also sounds unusually rowdy, best bet would be to take it in to a mechanic and get it diagnosed properly. Not all problems log a code on the ECU...
 

Nikhil

Honorary ///Member
Drop the intercooler, and boost pipes, clean them out properly along with the maf, intake manifold and the sensors on the intake manifold. Delete your EGR aswell. Smoking will be greatly reduced. A small amount is normally and it will look worse in winter or if your car parks outside


Just saw the video, given the weather conditions it was taken it, it doesn't look that bad
 

Idany

Member
Kyle said:
If any, the smoke should be black. I would say that it’s definitely not normal, the engine also sounds unusually rowdy, best bet would be to take it in to a mechanic and get it diagnosed properly. Not all problems log a code on the ECU...

Thank you for the response and the advice Kyle. I cant get to a mechanic any time soon, hence i would like to do it Diy. But if you know of a mechanic who is good with diesels and wont cost and arm and a leg in Jhb area that would be greatly appreciated.


Nikhil said:
Drop the intercooler, and boost pipes, clean them out properly along with the maf, intake manifold and the sensors on the intake manifold. Delete your EGR aswell. Smoking will be greatly reduced. A small amount is normally and it will look worse in winter or if your car parks outside


Just saw the video, given the weather conditions it was taken it, it doesn't look that bad



Appriciate the reply. The EGR seems to be deleted (well i mean the vacuum line connected to it has been blanked) is there a way i can make sure its deleted or is a delete kit necessary? Another question, is there anything you recommend to clean the boost pipes and intercooler with?

Thank you in advance for your response.
 

Nikhil

Honorary ///Member
If the vacuum line is blanked then you good! Get a good degreaser, either prepsol or KleanGreen and gently scrub everything after soaking it in boiling water.

You can use sensor / maf cleaner for the airflow meter and sensor's
 

rudolphc83

New member
On your error 4530, I had this on my 320d. What fixed it for me was replacing the vacuum tank and the pressure converter on the vacuum line to the turbo actuator. I also replaced ALL the vacuum lines I could find for good measure. Much more power and lot less smoke, just a black puff of smoke when flooring it which I had ever since mapping was done. Engine also ran much smoother. After that I cleared the code on INPA and so far so good.
 

Idany

Member
rudolphc83 said:
On your error 4530, I had this on my 320d. What fixed it for me was replacing the vacuum tank and the pressure converter on the vacuum line to the turbo actuator. I also replaced ALL the vacuum lines I could find for good measure. Much more power and lot less smoke, just a black puff of smoke when flooring it which I had ever since mapping was done. Engine also ran much smoother. After that I cleared the code on INPA and so far so good.

Thank you rudolphc83, i will start with the easier stuff first then go deep. :fencelook:  I managed to get my hands on an ERRB so i will be installing that this weekend. Lol. This way i wont see the smoke. Next week i will be doing the egr clean and vacuum pipes then the boost pipes and inter cooler the following week if need be. If you are around JHB, do you know where i can get vacuum pipes ive been searching and only finding the blue silicone ones. I would like to keep the oem look
 

rudolphc83

New member
Idany said:
rudolphc83 said:
On your error 4530, I had this on my 320d. What fixed it for me was replacing the vacuum tank and the pressure converter on the vacuum line to the turbo actuator. I also replaced ALL the vacuum lines I could find for good measure. Much more power and lot less smoke, just a black puff of smoke when flooring it which I had ever since mapping was done. Engine also ran much smoother. After that I cleared the code on INPA and so far so good.

Thank you rudolphc83, i will start with the easier stuff first then go deep. :fencelook:  I managed to get my hands on an ERRB so i will be installing that this weekend. Lol. This way i wont see the smoke. Next week i will be doing the egr clean and vacuum pipes then the boost pipes and inter cooler the following week if need be. If you are around JHB, do you know where i can get vacuum pipes ive been searching and only finding the blue silicone ones. I would like to keep the oem look

I Bought mine from GW in Pretoria at R40 per meter. Bought about 3m and had left. I just told them I want vacuum hose for BMW, they knew exactly what to give me. Other GW's should have the same.
 
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