Urgent help needed!!!

[gerhardvr]

Hi I have a 2004 e46 318I which I recently bought. I'm experiencing 2 problems and I'm not sure if it's linked.
1St Problem: the EML light comes on everytime the car heats up

2nd Problem: there's this white smoke that comes out the exhaust as soon as the car is hot.
I'm in the Cape Town area. I'm new to this Forum so any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Nick]

EML light could be coils or a sensor, the smoke is probably valve stem seals.

 

[Tinuva]

White smoke from exhaust is definitely valve steam seals. Exact thing happened on my 2003 E46 318i, N42 engine. Even if you have the N46 engine (possible with 2004 version), it will still be the valve stem seals.

EML is usually throttle body and accelerator pedal related, especially considering the 2004 version does have electronic accelerator pedal. But it could be something else, seems from reading a lot of things that could let that light go on.

 

[Neve24]

Hi,is the white smoke visible during all driving conditions?

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[Shaheen120d]

Hi peeps not to hijack the thread
Also based in CT ...any highly recommend mechanics that i can take my newly aquired E46 318i too ...basically just needs the cylinder head re-assembled...

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[gerhardvr]

The smoke can be seen most when the car is already hot, and what does it normally cost for a valve stem seals job and can you recommend the best place I can go to get it done

 

[Donovan2412]

Hi peeps not to hijack the thread
Also based in CT ...any highly recommend mechanics that i can take my newly aquired E46 318i too ...basically just needs the cylinder head re-assembled...

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Brilliant Mechanical Workshop

Address: 117 Garfield Weg, Claremont, Kaapstad, 7708, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 671 0559

 

[gerhardvr]

Hi peeps not to hijack the thread
Also based in CT ...any highly recommend mechanics that i can take my newly aquired E46 318i too ...basically just needs the cylinder head re-assembled...

Sent from my SM-J500F using Tapatalk

Brilliant Mechanical Workshop

Address: 117 Garfield Weg, Claremont, Kaapstad, 7708, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 671 0559

Do you perhaps know what the price range is to replace the valve stem seals

 

[Tinuva]

I paid

+- R1500 for the valve stem seals
+- R3850 for labour for above
+- R1200 for Tappet Cover Gasket & ecc. s. seal

and some minor values for oil and cleaner at Garage808 earlier this year (May 2016).

I happily paid them the above because they are BMW specialists and always do a great job and great customer service.

 

[abmi0000]

White smoke isn't oil burning. White thick smoke after the motor is at running temps is generally water passing through and being burnt out. What is your water consumption like? Have you checked for oil/water mixture?

Blueish smoke is oil and almost black is excess fuel being burnt.

My 2c

 

[Ashiel]

Definitely Valve stem Seals, known on the N46 Motor

 

[gerhardvr]

Thanks for all the feedback, so I phoned "Brilliant Mechanical Workshop" and they gave me a quote of between 11k and 17k for the valve stem seals job and a time of 2 weeks to complete the job

 

[zippy320]

Take it to BMW , they don't remove the head and its done within a day or two and you get a 2 year warranty , I paid around R7000 for mine at BMW SMG in Durban and have never had a problem since. I asked them to do a few extra bits as well while they were there .

Have them do an oil change while you are at it . And if your taking it to them now , a Holiday check .

 

[Tinuva]

Thanks for all the feedback, so I phoned "Brilliant Mechanical Workshop" and they gave me a quote of between 11k and 17k for the valve stem seals job and a time of 2 weeks to complete the job

2 weeks! That's madness. Mine took 2-3 days and COST a lot less than that. Just go to Leo Haese BMW instead.

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[gerhardvr]

[/quote]
2 weeks! That's madness. Mine took 2-3 days and COST a lot less than that. Just go to Leo Haese BMW instead.

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[/quote]

I'm in Cape Town, so do you think I should one of the BMW dealerships this side?

 

[Iceman007]

Hi I have a 2004 e46 318I which I recently bought. I'm experiencing 2 problems and I'm not sure if it's linked.
1St Problem: the EML light comes on everytime the car heats up

2nd Problem: there's this white smoke that comes out the exhaust as soon as the car is hot.
I'm in the Cape Town area. I'm new to this Forum so any help would be greatly appreciated

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