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      12-02-2022, 06:58 AM   #1
PizzaBoy_N52
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E90 328i Exhaust Smoke Post Valve Cover Job

Happy Friday everyone,

I rececently performed a valve cover job on my e90 328i. I was told by the dealer that it would remedy my rough idle and smoking issues. After I performed the job (which ended up including replacing the crankncase breather hose) I noticed the car ran significantly better and I gained quite a bit of power, but it still doesn't run perfectly. The idle occasionally stumbles and cold starts aren't the smoothest yet. I also still have an issue of burning a lot of oil.

Now the burning oil issue has me really scratching my head. If the car is at WOT, and the revs go above 3700ish rpms, then I absolutely pour smoke from the back of my car. It's definitely not coolant as I'm not losing any. If I'm at half throttle or less and let the revs go all the way to redline then there is no smoke at all. To make the problem all that more confusing it doesn't happen every time I go WOT, only occasionally will it smoke.

I tried to test the valve stem seals with the "engine brake at high rpm down a steep hill and then floor it" test but that didn't result in any smoke.

My theory right now is the crankcase breather valve under the intake manifold is malfunctioning and now I should replace that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am new to forums so I apologize for any errors I've made in this process. Thank you!
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      12-05-2022, 12:40 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52 View Post
Happy Friday everyone,

I rececently performed a valve cover job on my e90 328i. I was told by the dealer that it would remedy my rough idle and smoking issues. After I performed the job (which ended up including replacing the crankncase breather hose) I noticed the car ran significantly better and I gained quite a bit of power, but it still doesn't run perfectly. The idle occasionally stumbles and cold starts aren't the smoothest yet. I also still have an issue of burning a lot of oil.

Now the burning oil issue has me really scratching my head. If the car is at WOT, and the revs go above 3700ish rpms, then I absolutely pour smoke from the back of my car. It's definitely not coolant as I'm not losing any. If I'm at half throttle or less and let the revs go all the way to redline then there is no smoke at all. To make the problem all that more confusing it doesn't happen every time I go WOT, only occasionally will it smoke.

I tried to test the valve stem seals with the "engine brake at high rpm down a steep hill and then floor it" test but that didn't result in any smoke.

My theory right now is the crankcase breather valve under the intake manifold is malfunctioning and now I should replace that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am new to forums so I apologize for any errors I've made in this process. Thank you!
Have u replaced plugs and coils recently? Usually I do that w/ the valve cover off because it's easy to access. Did you only replace your gasket or did you get a new valve cover and gasket because the original valve cover may have cracks in it.
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      12-07-2022, 07:01 PM   #3
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You really need to scan the codes first to get an idea of what's going on and trace from there.
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      12-07-2022, 07:07 PM   #4
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Have u replaced plugs and coils recently? Usually I do that w/ the valve cover off because it's easy to access. Did you only replace your gasket or did you get a new valve cover and gasket because the original valve cover may have cracks in it.
I did replace the spark plugs, and the coils were replaced when the previous owner had the car serviced at his job's shop. Receipts were included with the car. This would be about 10k miles ago now at this point tho. I did replace the whole valve cover and not just the gasket.
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      12-07-2022, 07:08 PM   #5
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You really need to scan the codes first to get an idea of what's going on and trace from there.
I'm running lean and rich on both banks according to my scan tool.
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      12-07-2022, 08:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
You really need to scan the codes first to get an idea of what's going on and trace from there.
I'm running lean and rich on both banks according to my scan tool.
Any ESS codes?
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      12-07-2022, 08:58 PM   #7
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Any ESS codes?
No there are not
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      12-07-2022, 09:06 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
Any ESS codes?
No there are not
That is a common culprit of stumbling idle, but will throw a code on a BMW scanners—confirm that is what you are using?

Most of the oil burning culprits are valve-lift oriented. Vanos solenoids (won't always produce a code), valvetronic motor-will produce a BMW DTC, and the ESS (will produce a BMW DTC).

And when you say valve cover job—you mean you replaced the VC or just the gasket?
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      12-07-2022, 09:11 PM   #9
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That is a common culprit of stumbling idle, but will throw a code on a BMW scanners—confirm that is what you are using?

Most of the oil burning culprits are valve-lift oriented. Vanos solenoids (won't always produce a code), valvetronic motor-will produce a BMW DTC, and the ESS (will produce a BMW DTC).

And when you say valve cover job—you mean you replaced the VC or just the gasket?
I replaced the whole valve cover and the gasket and the crankcase breather hose. I'm using an Inova brand scanner. I haven't touched the vanos system since I bought the car. Can failing vanos solenoids cause my smoking issue?
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      12-07-2022, 09:36 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52 View Post

I replaced the whole valve cover and the gasket and the crankcase breather hose. I'm using an Inova brand scanner. I haven't touched the vanos system since I bought the car. Can failing vanos solenoids cause my smoking issue?
You'd be much better off using ISTA as I think you're not getting BMW codes—are you reading generic P codes or DTCs?
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      12-07-2022, 09:40 PM   #11
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You'd be much better off using ISTA as I think you're not getting BMW codes—are you reading generic P codes or DTCs?
It's just P codes. How do I use ISTA?
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      12-07-2022, 10:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
You'd be much better off using ISTA as I think you're not getting BMW codes—are you reading generic P codes or DTCs?
It's just P codes. How do I use ISTA?
If you Google it, you'll find tons of hits. It's BMW diagnostic software, so you have to use a computer and cable, but it shop level diagnostic software.

In the absence of that you need something that can at least read the codes. Without it, you're just stabbing in the dark.

On a side note, the rich/lean bank p codes can be caused by vanos, but with a BMW-capable reader will tell you for sure.
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      12-07-2022, 10:07 PM   #13
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Quote:
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If you Google it, you'll find tons of hits. It's BMW diagnostic software, so you have to use a computer and cable, but it shop level diagnostic software.

In the absence of that you need something that can at least read the codes. Without it, you're just stabbing in the dark.

On a side note, the rich/lean bank p codes can be caused by vanos, but with a BMW-capable reader will tell you for sure.
Allrighty, I have a buddy who has a can cable I can borrow. Will that be good enough to connect to my computer? I really appreciate your help BTW
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      12-07-2022, 10:15 PM   #14
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Allrighty, I have a buddy who has a can cable I can borrow. Will that be good enough to connect to my computer? I really appreciate your help BTW
Maybe—you need a K+DCAN cable. Bimmergeeks is probably what most people use.

https://www.bimmergeeks.net/product-...eeks-pro-cable
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      12-07-2022, 10:18 PM   #15
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Maybe—you need a K+DCAN cable. Bimmergeeks is probably what most people use.

https://www.bimmergeeks.net/product-page/bimmergeeks-pro-cable
Alrighty, I'll try the borrow for free route and see where that gets me. I'll update after I get ahold of the codes 😁
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      12-08-2022, 06:19 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
Maybe—you need a K+DCAN cable. Bimmergeeks is probably what most people use.

https://www.bimmergeeks.net/product-page/bimmergeeks-pro-cable
Below are the codes I was able to pull with a BMW scan tool.

29CF

2D06

29E1

29E0 x2

2D29

2EE0

2A43

29D1

29D2

29D0 x2

29CC

29D9
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      12-08-2022, 09:02 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PizzaBoy_N52 View Post
Below are the codes I was able to pull with a BMW scan tool.

29CF

2D06

29E1

29E0 x2

2D29

2EE0

2A43

29D1

29D2

29D0 x2

29CC

29D9
The first thing I would do is clear the codes (ignition on, engine off), then go for a short drive and see what codes persist.
But, just looking at the codes, it looks like you likely have had misfires on 3,4,5,6, a bad eccentric shaft sensor, a MAF sensor problem (could be dirty, bad connections or vacuum leak). The combination of many of these problems leads me to believe you have a big vacuum leak somewhere:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1529566

You have also had misfires at a low fuel state (2D29). Given the fuel problems, you may also have a bad fuel pump in the back—fairly common on e90/n52 engines.

Basically there is a lot going on with those codes. Start with the east stuff like misfires which are likely coils and see what you can pick off the list.
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      12-08-2022, 09:28 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
The first thing I would do is clear the codes (ignition on, engine off), then go for a short drive and see what codes persist.
But, just looking at the codes, it looks like you likely have had misfires on 3,4,5,6, a bad eccentric shaft sensor, a MAF sensor problem (could be dirty, bad connections or vacuum leak). The combination of many of these problems leads me to believe you have a big vacuum leak somewhere:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1529566

You have also had misfires at a low fuel state (2D29). Given the fuel problems, you may also have a bad fuel pump in the back—fairly common on e90/n52 engines.

Basically there is a lot going on with those codes. Start with the east stuff like misfires which are likely coils and see what you can pick off the list.
"Nothing in life worth doing is ever easy"

Sounds like it need to pull the valve cover off again then. Since the new gasket has less than 300 miles on it do you think I can get away with reusing it?

The maf sensor was replaced a little under year ago by the previous owner as well as the coils.

Would resolving these issues remedy my smoking issue as well you think?
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      12-08-2022, 09:31 PM   #19
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A codeless car is a happy car, but there are a lot in there— figuring out which ones are real and are manifesting because of another problem like a vacuum leak will be somewhat of a challenge. If you can get it to that state, I have no doubt the smoking will be gone. Good luck!
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      12-08-2022, 09:36 PM   #20
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A cordless car is a happy car, but there are a lot in there— figuring out which ones are real and are manifesting because of another problem like a vacuum leak will be somewhat of a challenge. Good luck!
Sounds like I have my weekend homework. I'll start with the ess and for the fun of it I'll replace my intake manifold gaskets. I've heard you can usually get away with not replacing them but it would not surprise me in the slightest to be causing my problems.

Thanks again for your help. I'll report back when the job is done ✌️
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      09-26-2023, 02:14 PM   #21
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Having a similar problem, did you ever get this fixed?
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      09-26-2023, 02:44 PM   #22
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Having a similar problem, did you ever get this fixed?
I wasn't really. I did a lot of work and found that my car just has low compression. I sent some seafom through it and it almost eliminated the issue for a few weeks then it came right back. I just plan on putting a new motor in the car.
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