[CYL]

Today, I smell a burnt smell when I was driving home. I opened the bonnet when I got back home and saw that there was smoke coming out from the left hand side of the engine.
I have uploaded it here:

I have also taken some photos, and on the photos, it clearly shows that there is some oil leaking around the engine edges. I topped up 1L engine oil yesterday as per iDrive requested. I am thinking if the smoke is caused by the oil dropping to the CAT?
Or is it something else?

I am going to take my car for service next month anyway, but for the meantime, can I still drive my car?

*there is no visible oil on the ground where I used to park my car at home.

Help please. Many thanks.

[CYL]

More photo

[Max555]

Obvious question, did you spill some oil over the hole when you were topping up?

[CYL]

Originally Posted by Max555

Obvious question, did you spill some oil over the hole when you were topping up?

Hi, yes, I did but I wiped it up already.
I was also thinking if it is the spill but I have cleaned it as you can see from the engine cover.
Also, I know that there has been minor oil leaking along the engine edges, and I was just thinking if the leaking becomes worse and leading extra oil leak from the gasket dropping on the exhaust manifold causing the smoke.

May I ask if I should still drive the car for now please?

[Socket]

I assume no odd noises, rattles, codes or anything else??
Did the smoke happen on the first drive after topping up or a day or two later?
My guess is it just some excess oil cooking off
If there are no other signs of trouble you should be ok, just keep an eye to see if the smoking clears up or get worse

[CYL]

Originally Posted by Socket

I assume no odd noises, rattles, codes or anything else??
Did the smoke happen on the first drive after topping up or a day or two later?
My guess is it just some excess oil cooking off
If there are no other signs of trouble you should be ok, just keep an eye to see if the smoking clears up or get worse

Hi, thanks socket.
The coolant level too low came off two days ago, I topped up with distiller water.
Then the next day, engine level too low came off, I topped up with engine oil, did a spill but wiped it off (that's why the engine cover is so clean in the photo).

On the screen, Brake fluid is due to change, apart from that, no others message.

Noise, some weird rapidly metallic noise sometimes when I try to accelerate, usually happens between 1500-2500rpm. I guess it's the pulley? I am also thinking if it is the hydraulic valve. (Will ask the mechanic on the next service)
Also notice some noise like this:

There isn't such sound for my last 2 years of ownership.

Thanks if you would be able to give some advises.

[Socket]

I'm not expert but that doesn't stop me giving have heaps of advice

There are plenty of guys on the forum with a better mechanical expertise in engine diagnosis than me, hell pretty much everyone actually

I'd wait until someone smarter shows up

Meanwhile you can check out this thread on clicky noises

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13504

[_ink]

Your valve cover is most likely leaking or cracked and just needs replacing - take it to Advan to get sorted and fixed up.

[CYL]

Originally Posted by _ink

Your valve cover is most likely leaking or cracked and just needs replacing - take it to Advan to get sorted and fixed up.

Thanks ink.
Do you mean the header gasket?
As far as I learn from the forum, there are header gasket (top) and valve gasket (bottom)?

What about the rapidly metallic sound when I accelerate? (Not the one in the video), do you have any idea of it?

I am in WA, couldn't go to Advan

More importantly, can I still drive the car? I have booked in for service in mid May. Can wait till then?
Thanks.

[Scotty89]

No, valve cover is the plastic cover that bolts onto the top of the head, to cover all of the valve lifters.

The head gasket is the seal that bolts onto the bottom of the head (between cylinder head and block).

[CYL]

Originally Posted by Scotty89

No, valve cover is the plastic cover that bolts onto the top of the head, to cover all of the valve lifters.

The head gasket is the seal that bolts onto the bottom of the head (between cylinder head and block).

Thanks.
So the valve cover is the plastic engine cover with the BMW logo?

But i thought the gasket is most likely cracked too? Cause there has been minor oil leaking along the engine edges (can see from the photo).

[BEE35i]

I think you should be taking it to a professional if you have limited knowledge on this platform to get it sorted before something catastrophic happens!

Prevention is better than cure!

[CYL]

Originally Posted by BEE35i

I think you should be taking it to a professional if you have limited knowledge on this platform to get it sorted before something catastrophic happens!

Prevention is better than cure!

Hi BEE35i, Thanks.
I am going to take my car to mechanic in mid of May and report back.
I am a bit hesitated to get it booked in any earlier because I have been busy at work. if the issue is really critical, I will certainly bring my car to mechanic immediately (just like there was a time with the engine light on, and was too worried then brought it to mechanic, it was the o2 sensor in blank 2).

[Ninjaoz]

sounds like you had a blown gaskets...personally i would take it your mechanic and ahve a check out before it is getting worse!

6 cylinders are worst than four bangers

[_ink]

Originally Posted by CYL

Hi BEE35i, Thanks.
I am going to take my car to mechanic in mid of May and report back.
I am a bit hesitated to get it booked in any earlier because I have been busy at work. if the issue is really critical, I will certainly bring my car to mechanic immediately (just like there was a time with the engine light on, and was too worried then brought it to mechanic, it was the o2 sensor in blank 2).

LOL! You're going to drive around with the problem until mid May???

Something is seriously wrong with you.

[CashedUpBogan]

This is so funny. If this guy ever sells his car, remember to tell everyone not to buy it. Driving around for a month with a known issue lol SMH clearly doesn't like to look after his car even after advice is given

[Ninjaoz]

LOL, shouldn't so hostile...we are here to help!

regardless of the smoke, there shouldn't be an oil leak in the first place. you better get it check!

[CYL]

Hi all,
thanks!
I thought it is common to have minor oil leak along the engine edges given the age of the car being 5-6 years old, and that's why I thought I could leave it.

and for the smoke, I think it is due to the spills that I had made the day before.
as for the noise, reading a lot articles on the internet and thought it is not that serious issue. It might even just be the hydraulic valve noise which is common problem with the engine.

anyway, thanks for all the advises. I will try to arrange the booking earlier.

I was thinking like if I have to go to the mechanic, paying around $200 just for checking every single issue, it might be better to seek for opinion here and to judge if it is really urgent to pay that money. The other matter is that the mechanic is quite far away from home, and it makes it hard for me to spare the time going there unless the issue is really serious.

again, if it is critical, i would go immediately, just like the engine light came off last time, and i had it fixed immediately.

[BEE35i]

No one is flaming you it's just minor issues like leaking oil/coolant can lead to bigger issues like spun bearings or blown head gaskets so a $200 fix can lead to a $10,000 fix unless you get it sorted ASAP that is all

[Socket]

Doesn't it seem odd to anyone that the problem started the day it was topped out with oil?

[GoRomeo]

Its most likely your valve cover gasket. Very common on these cars. Now go do some reading on this subject my friend.

[BEE35i]

Originally Posted by Socket

Doesn't it seem odd to anyone that the problem started the day it was topped out with oil?

Maybe over filled it and increased oil pressure causing a gasket blow out?

Or oil too thin?

Is that what you are suggesting? I have no idea I am also guessing.

hahaha