E90 325i smoking white

[DuckKnuckle]

Hi guys,

Once again my E90 is fucking with me. I think it's time to throw it away.

Car recently went for a water pump change and major service. This was 2 weeks ago. On 2 occasions, I've seen white smoke coming out the exhaust. Both times when I come to a stop after ~20min of driving. Both times were a once-off thing.

Anything I myself can look for before taking it in to somebody?

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

White smoke is usually coolant burning off, meaning there is a head gasket leak! Is the coolant level changing at all, and is the coolant still clean looking or does it have any traces of oil mixing in? What prompted you to have the water pump replaced? Was the thermostat also changed? Also, have you checked the coolant temperatures via the hidden menu on the cluster?

 

[DuckKnuckle]

White smoke is usually coolant burning off, meaning there is a head gasket leak! Is the coolant level changing at all, and is the coolant still clean looking or does it have any traces of oil mixing in? What prompted you to have the water pump replaced? Was the thermostat also changed? Also, have you checked the coolant temperatures via the hidden menu on the cluster?

Water pump was dying so it worked and then it didn't.

Coolant levels have been fine. The dash would bring up the yellow overheat sign and I'd have to leave the car off for a good 10 minutes before switching it on and then I'd hear the pump working.

Mech said everything was 100s after the pump replacement. Took it back to him now so I'll hear in the morning.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

White smoke is usually coolant burning off, meaning there is a head gasket leak! Is the coolant level changing at all, and is the coolant still clean looking or does it have any traces of oil mixing in? What prompted you to have the water pump replaced? Was the thermostat also changed? Also, have you checked the coolant temperatures via the hidden menu on the cluster?

Water pump was dying so it worked and then it didn't.

Coolant levels have been fine. The dash would bring up the yellow overheat sign and I'd have to leave the car off for a good 10 minutes before switching it on and then I'd hear the pump working.

Mech said everything was 100s after the pump replacement. Took it back to him now so I'll hear in the morning.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

Should have maybe started with this though, but when you say white smoke, do you mean just a few puffs here and there, or a cloud of white smoke? And what about outside temperature when this happens, cool or even in warm weather? It may just be some condensation burning off. These engines run at various temperatures, so could be burning off some exhaust condensation. But I gather whatever it is doing, it's not what you have seen before? I would keep an eye on the coolant level and condition for now. Maybe see what the mech thinks it could be.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

White smoke is usually coolant burning off, meaning there is a head gasket leak! Is the coolant level changing at all, and is the coolant still clean looking or does it have any traces of oil mixing in? What prompted you to have the water pump replaced? Was the thermostat also changed? Also, have you checked the coolant temperatures via the hidden menu on the cluster?

Water pump was dying so it worked and then it didn't.

Coolant levels have been fine. The dash would bring up the yellow overheat sign and I'd have to leave the car off for a good 10 minutes before switching it on and then I'd hear the pump working.

Mech said everything was 100s after the pump replacement. Took it back to him now so I'll hear in the morning.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

Should have maybe started with this though, but when you say white smoke, do you mean just a few puffs here and there, or a cloud of white smoke? And what about outside temperature when this happens, cool or even in warm weather? It may just be some condensation burning off. These engines run at various temperatures, so could be burning off some exhaust condensation. But I gather whatever it is doing, it's not what you have seen before? I would keep an eye on the coolant level and condition for now. Maybe see what the mech thinks it could be.

It was last night so it was quite hot here in Cape Town. No condensation, and then second time was today again with no condensation.

It was a small cloud of white smoke both times.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

That is strange!!

 

[Karthik]

Maybe you just need a second mechanic's opinion? Or if you really want to, take it to BMW and get them to quote you for a full inspection service, they will check the car bumper to bumper and tell you what they find, then pay them around R 1500 and tell them you will bring it back and go fix it privately if funds don't permit.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

So I received an update from the mechanic. He performed a cylinder leakage test and confirmed that there was no blown cylinder head gasket.

That's some good news.

He then said the following:

"What we have noticed is a slight white grayish smoking from the exhaust once vehicle has been idling for a while. The said we put down to valve stem seals due to age and heat hardening them over the years there is a small amount of oil bypass past the valve stem seals which then burns out the exhaust."

I hadn't heard of this issue before, so I did a bit of searching and came across one of our own Fanatics' threads:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=55561

So it looks like this might be the case. Same symptoms of only seeing a puff of smoke after idling and then driving off. I'm just hoping the pricing hasn't increased too much.

 

[KPM3_30]

Valve stem seal issues seem to be plague the 4 cylinder BMW's the most (318's and 320i's)...

Check if you see a puff of white smoke when you lift off the throttle for a bit and then reapply throttle. It is usually worst when sitting in traffic for a period of time and then moving forward a bit.

 

[Woodies]

So I received an update from the mechanic. He performed a cylinder leakage test and confirmed that there was no blown cylinder head gasket.

That's some good news.

He then said the following:

"What we have noticed is a slight white grayish smoking from the exhaust once vehicle has been idling for a while. The said we put down to valve stem seals due to age and heat hardening them over the years there is a small amount of oil bypass past the valve stem seals which then burns out the exhaust."

I hadn't heard of this issue before, so I did a bit of searching and came across one of our own Fanatics' threads:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=55561

So it looks like this might be the case. Same symptoms of only seeing a puff of smoke after idling and then driving off. I'm just hoping the pricing hasn't increased too much.

I'm having the same issues with my 335. Seems like less smoke once the car is up to temperature. Only notice it sometimes, but seems to be worse/noticing it more often. BMW quoted me for valve stems etc, but then said they couldn't work on my car because of mods. Car is at private mechanic today getting quote. BMW quote was R12k. More labour than parts I think it was. Should get a new quote from private mechanic today.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

So I received an update from the mechanic. He performed a cylinder leakage test and confirmed that there was no blown cylinder head gasket.

That's some good news.

He then said the following:

"What we have noticed is a slight white grayish smoking from the exhaust once vehicle has been idling for a while. The said we put down to valve stem seals due to age and heat hardening them over the years there is a small amount of oil bypass past the valve stem seals which then burns out the exhaust."

I hadn't heard of this issue before, so I did a bit of searching and came across one of our own Fanatics' threads:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=55561

So it looks like this might be the case. Same symptoms of only seeing a puff of smoke after idling and then driving off. I'm just hoping the pricing hasn't increased too much.

I'm having the same issues with my 335. Seems like less smoke once the car is up to temperature. Only notice it sometimes, but seems to be worse/noticing it more often. BMW quoted me for valve stems etc, but then said they couldn't work on my car because of mods. Car is at private mechanic today getting quote. BMW quote was R12k. More labour than parts I think it was. Should get a new quote from private mechanic today.

Okay so my mechanic could be correct as well then.

Here's to hoping it's cheaper than your quote

How crucial is it that we fix these stem seals asap? I just had to forgot R13k for a new water pump, service and brake pads and discs.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Iceman007]

Its just a puff now and then. Its not that crucial and I suggest get an estimate and then start saving towards it some time next year.

 

[Philip Foglar]

What is your oil consumption like? If it's not too much and the smoke is still fairly moderate, then I wouldn't bother with it for the moment, just keep an eye on it to see if it gets any worse.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

The mechanic came back and said he can do it for R6k. The car has always been quite thirsty with oil but people told me that's the nature of these engines.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

Oil consumption varies quite a bit on these engines. Some don't use much oil if at all, but most seem to use at least 1 litre between services, or typically a bit less than 10k km and it calls for a litre top up. That is still fair. But it's when it shouts for a litre from anything around 1000 km that is just not on. And that is BMW's "acceptable" tolerance.

 

[DuckKnuckle]

Oil consumption varies quite a bit on these engines. Some don't use much oil if at all, but most seem to use at least 1 litre between services, or typically a bit less than 10k km and it calls for a litre top up. That is still fair. But it's when it shouts for a litre from anything around 1000 km that is just not on. And that is BMW's "acceptable" tolerance.

Mine is around every 5k - 10k.

Motorite approved the replacement of the dying water pump so the mech and I are hoping they see reason and can acknowledge that the stem seals are damaged due to the dying water pump and overheating.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

Oil consumption varies quite a bit on these engines. Some don't use much oil if at all, but most seem to use at least 1 litre between services, or typically a bit less than 10k km and it calls for a litre top up. That is still fair. But it's when it shouts for a litre from anything around 1000 km that is just not on. And that is BMW's "acceptable" tolerance.

Mine is around every 5k - 10k.

Motorite approved the replacement of the dying water pump so the mech and I are hoping they see reason and can acknowledge that the stem seals are damaged due to the dying water pump and overheating.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

Well, 5k - 10k is not bad actually, not for the mileage that I seem to remember you said this cars has. Mine was using a litre per 6k, then 8k when I first got it, and that was with the mileage from 46k km. So it has improved over the years. Come to think of it, for the first year or so that I had the car I often noticed a strange vapour (not smoke) haze sometimes when starting the car, and it would be when hot or cold. I always thought it to simply be condensation burning off or being expelled from the exhaust, but not it makes me wonder if it wasn't some of the blow-by oil that was being burnt off. Haven't noticed this for years though...

 

[DuckKnuckle]

Oil consumption varies quite a bit on these engines. Some don't use much oil if at all, but most seem to use at least 1 litre between services, or typically a bit less than 10k km and it calls for a litre top up. That is still fair. But it's when it shouts for a litre from anything around 1000 km that is just not on. And that is BMW's "acceptable" tolerance.

Mine is around every 5k - 10k.

Motorite approved the replacement of the dying water pump so the mech and I are hoping they see reason and can acknowledge that the stem seals are damaged due to the dying water pump and overheating.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk

Well, 5k - 10k is not bad actually, not for the mileage that I seem to remember you said this cars has. Mine was using a litre per 6k, then 8k when I first got it, and that was with the mileage from 46k km. So it has improved over the years. Come to think of it, for the first year or so that I had the car I often noticed a strange vapour (not smoke) haze sometimes when starting the car, and it would be when hot or cold. I always thought it to simply be condensation burning off or being expelled from the exhaust, but not it makes me wonder if it wasn't some of the blow-by oil that was being burnt off. Haven't noticed this for years though...

Correct, the mileage is now at 240XXXkm.

Only issues left are the valve stem seals and the DISA flaps and then I've fixed/replaced almost all major components.

Sent from my SM-N910H using Tapatalk