E90 N52 valve stem seals issue?

[husaindindar]

Fellow wise gentlemen.

I believe my 325i (N52) may have a valve stem seal issue. Reason being, occasionally when I start the engine, there's a huge plume of thick white smoke. This happens very occasional ie. 1 out 100 starts.

There's no coolant loss, no power loss and no milky brown stuff on oil cap. I've had the oil separator and one of the pipes that run from the separator to the sump replaced as it was cracked. Still no cure.

Engine consumes about 1 liter of oil per 2500km.

The reason why I say stem seals, is that possibly when cold, the seals have shrunk and allow oil to seep into chamber. Once engine is warm, then seals expand and do it's job. There's also no smoke on acceleration or idle.

Anyone have a similar issue?


Also if it is stem seals, does the head need to be removed to change the seals or is it possible to be done without head removal?

 

[akash]

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

 

[husaindindar]

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

 

[Ricky318i]

Similar issue on my E90 323i N52.

Turned out to be score marks in the bore and leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
Engine replacement under motorplan.

Check for the following:
Compression test. Values should be within 10% of each other. About 13,5Bar per cylinder.
Perform a leakdown test. Apply compressed air to a cylinder at a time(with valves closed) and see how long it hold its pressure. If a leak occurs, you will hear it from the crank, valve cover or radiator.
Check PCV.

---

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

I will want to guarantee you that this is not uncommon on the N52.
It was a terrible motor in my opinion. I think it is low on power, heavy on fuel and the torque is not the much better compared to the M54. (feel free to disagree)
The N53 is a much better motor in my opinion.

 

[husaindindar]

Similar issue on my E90 323i N52.

Turned out to be score marks in the bore and leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
Engine replacement under motorplan.

Check for the following:
Compression test. Values should be within 10% of each other. About 13,5Bar per cylinder.
Perform a leakdown test. Apply compressed air to a cylinder at a time(with valves closed) and see how long it hold its pressure. If a leak occurs, you will hear it from the crank, valve cover or radiator.
Check PCV.

---

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

I will want to guarantee you that this is not uncommon on the N52.
It was a terrible motor in my opinion. I think it is low on power, heavy on fuel and the torque is not the much better compared to the M54. (feel free to disagree)
The N53 is a much better motor in my opinion.

---

Well Sh*%t.
I guess the oil burning will eventually clog the Cats and then I have even more of a problem!

This sucks...

 

[akash]

Similar issue on my E90 323i N52.

Turned out to be score marks in the bore and leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
Engine replacement under motorplan.

Check for the following:
Compression test. Values should be within 10% of each other. About 13,5Bar per cylinder.
Perform a leakdown test. Apply compressed air to a cylinder at a time(with valves closed) and see how long it hold its pressure. If a leak occurs, you will hear it from the crank, valve cover or radiator.
Check PCV.

---

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

I will want to guarantee you that this is not uncommon on the N52.
It was a terrible motor in my opinion. I think it is low on power, heavy on fuel and the torque is not the much better compared to the M54. (feel free to disagree)
The N53 is a much better motor in my opinion.

---

Everyone has their opinion.

My wifes 2006 323i has over 250 000kms with no smoking issues at all.

 

[CK4LIFE]

Ouma goodness...makes me wanna keep my 323 :YesNo:

 

[husaindindar]

Similar issue on my E90 323i N52.

Turned out to be score marks in the bore and leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
Engine replacement under motorplan.

Check for the following:
Compression test. Values should be within 10% of each other. About 13,5Bar per cylinder.
Perform a leakdown test. Apply compressed air to a cylinder at a time(with valves closed) and see how long it hold its pressure. If a leak occurs, you will hear it from the crank, valve cover or radiator.
Check PCV.

---

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

I will want to guarantee you that this is not uncommon on the N52.
It was a terrible motor in my opinion. I think it is low on power, heavy on fuel and the torque is not the much better compared to the M54. (feel free to disagree)
The N53 is a much better motor in my opinion.

---

Everyone has their opinion.

My wifes 2006 323i has over 250 000kms with no smoking issues at all.

---

Akash, are you having any or slight oil consumption on the 323i?

 

[akash]

Similar issue on my E90 323i N52.

Turned out to be score marks in the bore and leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
Engine replacement under motorplan.

Check for the following:
Compression test. Values should be within 10% of each other. About 13,5Bar per cylinder.
Perform a leakdown test. Apply compressed air to a cylinder at a time(with valves closed) and see how long it hold its pressure. If a leak occurs, you will hear it from the crank, valve cover or radiator.
Check PCV.

---

Thats more common on the 320i engine.

Agreed.
All the research I've done only says the 320i and the old X5 V8 motor gives this issue.

Turns out my 6 pot is the only one then.

I will want to guarantee you that this is not uncommon on the N52.
It was a terrible motor in my opinion. I think it is low on power, heavy on fuel and the torque is not the much better compared to the M54. (feel free to disagree)
The N53 is a much better motor in my opinion.

---

Everyone has their opinion.

My wifes 2006 323i has over 250 000kms with no smoking issues at all.

---

Akash, are you having any or slight oil consumption on the 323i?

---

Yepp these e90 engines across the range do use oil, some more than others.

The last time i filled oil was (1L top up) last year November and the car is used every day.

 

[Steph745]

I think valve-stem seals aren't high up on the N52 watchlist, but it's not impossible. Your consumption seems very high to me, as my 323i uses very little oil, I don't even remember the last time it alerted to top it up. I'm currently on 226xxxKMs and it is a 2010 model.

 

[Ricky318i]

My 2006 E90 323i N52 used 1liter of oil every 1000km.

Gearbox also died at 120 xxxkm.

 

[momo1]

My 2006 E90 323i N52 used 1liter of oil every 1000km.

Gearbox also died at 120 xxxkm.

You definitely did have a lemon then.
Both the auto and manual boxes in the E90s have proven to be quite reliable in all models except for the 335i and 330d which will only trouble if abused.
The N52 is a fantastic engine especially in the 3.0si format. The power, torque vs consumption on a N/A motor would be difficult to rival.

As OP states it only happens once in a hundred times, if i were you i suggest you buy a bottle of Rislone Valve seal repair and see if it solves your problem over the next 1000km, Before you get go ahead with replacing seals

 

[akash]

My 2006 E90 323i N52 used 1liter of oil every 1000km.

Gearbox also died at 120 xxxkm.

Eish sounds like a Friday built car.

 

[husaindindar]

My 2006 E90 323i N52 used 1liter of oil every 1000km.

Gearbox also died at 120 xxxkm.

You definitely did have a lemon then.
Both the auto and manual boxes in the E90s have proven to be quite reliable in all models except for the 335i and 330d which will only trouble if abused.
The N52 is a fantastic engine especially in the 3.0si format. The power, torque vs consumption on a N/A motor would be difficult to rival.

As OP states it only happens once in a hundred times, if i were you i suggest you buy a bottle of Rislone Valve seal repair and see if it solves your problem over the next 1000km, Before you get go ahead with replacing seals

Thanks Momo.

Didnt know such a product existed.
I'm going to give it a shot, since I dont think the seals are in critical condition. I still get pretty close to the claimed top speed and the car is not down on power at all. Still breaks traction at times on takeoff also.


I also think these motors are epic. When I floor it and it goes to the lowest possible gear and revs to that magical 7k rpm mark! I forget all the faults and that power delivery and sound makes it a heavenly experience.

 

[momo1]

My 2006 E90 323i N52 used 1liter of oil every 1000km.

Gearbox also died at 120 xxxkm.

You definitely did have a lemon then.
Both the auto and manual boxes in the E90s have proven to be quite reliable in all models except for the 335i and 330d which will only trouble if abused.
The N52 is a fantastic engine especially in the 3.0si format. The power, torque vs consumption on a N/A motor would be difficult to rival.

As OP states it only happens once in a hundred times, if i were you i suggest you buy a bottle of Rislone Valve seal repair and see if it solves your problem over the next 1000km, Before you get go ahead with replacing seals

Thanks Momo.

Didnt know such a product existed.
I'm going to give it a shot, since I dont think the seals are in critical condition. I still get pretty close to the claimed top speed and the car is not down on power at all. Still breaks traction at times on takeoff also.


I also think these motors are epic. When I floor it and it goes to the lowest possible gear and revs to that magical 7k rpm mark! I forget all the faults and that power delivery and sound makes it a heavenly experience.

it does work, but obviously not a long term permanent fix, it is quite pricey though R500 for a bottle.