valks1 Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Hi If i warm up my car, Then stop for a couple of minutes and let the engine idle, when i pull away i plooms of smoke coming out of the exhaust, this is so bad the cars behind stop as they cant see. After 30 secs it clears. But if i stop again it will happen again. Does anyone know what bthis could be. It is burning oil, i dont have creamy oil, so its not the head gasket. Also if it was something major why does it not do it all of the time ? I can do 80 mph and no issues. Any help would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Probably the oil breather worn out or broken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autosri Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Sounds like some kind of water build up as the smoke is White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Yeah but he said it's burning oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valks1 Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Yeah but he said it's burning oil. It is oil, as it's a thick cloud which stays in the air. I think I with look at replacing my oil breather. See what happens. Cheers guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autosri Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I would still be getting he head checked properly as somehing sounds strange and oil burns blue ish and water burns White are you loosing any water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valks1 Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I would still be getting he head checked properly as somehing sounds strange and oil burns blue ish and water burns White are you loosing any water maybe it is slightly blue. I have no loss of water what so ever. If it was the head, surely it would happen all the time, especially doing 80 mph ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaz Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Could it be the turbo? just a suggestion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordis Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Im having similar problems with mine, thick plume of smoke on start up then clears after a few mins and looks blueish. Changed oil breather and new maff as losing low down power. Fitting egr bypass tomorrow Also can see puff of smoke in car headlights when i excelerate in the dark beginning to think turbo on its last legs Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valks1 Posted March 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Im having similar problems with mine, thick plume of smoke on start up then clears after a few mins and looks blueish. Changed oil breather and new maff as losing low down power. Fitting egr bypass tomorrow Also can see puff of smoke in car headlights when i excelerate in the dark beginning to think turbo on its last legs Lee can someone please explain why people think it's the turbo? Surely the turbo works or it ceases or breaks ? It can't sort of work. It's only a bearing and splines, usually a turbo goes because the lack of oil, so it ceases. Is this not right ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordis Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Thought i read that oil can seep through worn turbo bearings or seals Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpm Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 I know of a 525d with the same problem. Ended up the crankcase breather which was blocked, and took the turbo with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 If its a diesel also check for split hoses or loose connections on the intercooler hoses, could be that your only seeing the smoke when pulling away as it under load...although id expect this to be more of a black smoke rather than white. How much oil are you burning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davie76 Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 If its a diesel also check for split hoses or loose connections on the intercooler hoses, could be that your only seeing the smoke when pulling away as it under load...although id expect this to be more of a black smoke rather than white. How much oil are you burning? started having the same problem , puff of white /blueish smoke sometimes when starting the car and sometimes when sitting 70ish pull away ie overtaking i get a load of smoke 1/2 seconds a slight splutter then it clears and the car goes fine . seem to be using more petrol and dont seem to be getting the same performance as i was my car has only got 71,000 on a 51 plate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valks1 Posted March 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Update: I bought a new breather and oil separator. Took mine out of my car and noticed I had the old style separator. This was caked in oil and had gone rock hard. It should have been a foam. I fitted all new parts and seals. Also fitted new airfilter. I noticed on the righthand intercooler hose that oil was leaking from the temp sensor. I took the sensor out and cleaned it up with a cotton bud. I then refitted it tighter to stop it leaking. I turned the engine on and went for a 20 minute drive, then let the car idle for 10 min. I then drove away. Nothing, no smoke ! I drove around as normal and still no smoke. Problem fixed. My car has gone from realy bad traffic stopping plooms of White smoke to nothing. Jobs a gooden !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordis Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Nice to hear your sorted trying to find the cause of my plooms of smoke on start up, changed seperator and fitted a bypass egr valve still the same. Smoked this morning and then oddly enough no smoke at lunch and had a little bit of smoke on start up 2 hrs later Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mintyish Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Update: I bought a new breather and oil separator. Took mine out of my car and noticed I had the old style separator. This was caked in oil and had gone rock hard. It should have been a foam. I fitted all new parts and seals. Also fitted new airfilter. I noticed on the righthand intercooler hose that oil was leaking from the temp sensor. I took the sensor out and cleaned it up with a cotton bud. I then refitted it tighter to stop it leaking. I turned the engine on and went for a 20 minute drive, then let the car idle for 10 min. I then drove away. Nothing, no smoke ! I drove around as normal and still no smoke. Problem fixed. My car has gone from realy bad traffic stopping plooms of White smoke to nothing. Jobs a gooden !! Hi Valks - has this new oil breather fixed your problem? I have a 2003 E46 320d - and when I leave work at night, I drive 5 minutes, then get stuck in the queue to join the motorway - and can sit idling for 3-5 minutes...then pull away and all the cars behind me disappear! Clouds of white smoke like your problem but no loss of power or any other symptoms. No mayonnaise or water in oil or pressurised water system. I still have a couple of months warranty, so I think I'll take your post in to the garage when I go at the weekend. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mintyish Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Quick update folks - went to the local dealer today at lunchtime - as the problem is now getting worse! They suspect the turbo is on its way out given the volume of smoke pouring out - and that it is only happening as the car warms up - once hot, there is no issue at all. Booked in for a diagnosis next Thursday....I hope they fix it in time as I am going skiing down to the mountains on Friday. Or I might still have the loaner :-) John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
