White smoke from engine bay

xTaSkx · 11-05-2014, 05:45 PM

Hey guys,

So every time I start my car white smokes comes out. There is also a weird smell to it. I am also starting to experience a rough idle, not sure if it's related or not. Got a check engine light and it appears that it is cylinder 3 misfire but thats related to the rough idle. =( Anyways, back to the white smoke.. I think it might be the valve cover gasket that needs to be replaced..not sure. I also checked to see if there was any leaks from the radiator but it dsnt look like that's the issue. I don't know how to replace the gasket so I wanted to know if anyone would be willing to help me change it if this is the issue. Or maybe someone can help me diagnose the issue? Pm me if anyone is interested. Let me know what type of compensation your looking for. Maybe someone wants a pack of beer and pizza? lol

Owning a bmw can be awesome but it can also be a pain in the ass..

///M297 · 11-05-2014, 06:13 PM

Be careful, could be the head gasket going out.

xTaSkx · 11-05-2014, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M297

Be careful, could be the head gasket going out.

Ahh, is it expensive? Damn I need to figure out what it is. I really dont know for sure that it's the valve cover gasket..Is the head gasket difficult to replace?

mic_e92 · 11-05-2014, 09:15 PM

i had also that problem a month a go the dealer can figure it out for a month.. they replace the head gasket still smoking on the left side and it smells like there is something burning.. then when i drive my car it seems like its missing a gear so.. they replace 6 coils that help and i havent seen the smoke and aslo the smell is gone... but now my exhaust is smoking white smoke but its only sometimes i know my turbo seal is going out but for some reason it wont do it when i put it for service on the dealer so they had my car for 3 weeks still no smoke...

Spun Crankhub · 11-12-2014, 11:53 PM

Could be valve cover gasket or even oil filter housing(assuming you have OF housing.) Those are common failure points on the N54. Not sure about your N51/N52.

Mutagen · 11-13-2014, 06:57 PM

White smoke is burning oil...trace the oil by the exhaust down pipe area and u will have ur answer. I'm gonna guess head gasket leaking behind ur motor obo the exhaust.

ronn16E90 · 11-24-2014, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutagen

White smoke is burning oil...trace the oil by the exhaust down pipe area and u will have ur answer. I'm gonna guess head gasket leaking behind ur motor obo the exhaust.

isnt white smoke for coolant? coz burnt oil is usually black

xTaSkx · 11-24-2014, 07:41 PM

Turns out I have multiple leaks. Dealership found that the oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, and oil pan is leaking. They replaced the valve cover gasket, all spark plugs and coils. Still need to replace the oil pan and oil filter housing gasket but the smoke is gone and no more rough idle. Thanks everyone for your help.

Laurus_CEO · 11-24-2014, 10:18 PM

Well it could've been much worse, glad its not the head gasket. Too bad you're in SoCal if you were in NorCal I'd offer to help you do the rest of the gaskets.

LSx · 11-24-2014, 10:24 PM

White smoke + sweet smell is most times coolant in the combustion cycle.

Blue smoke is oil burning.

Black smoke is too rich fuel mixture.

11-05-2014, 05:45 PM	#1
xTaSkx Private 4 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Glendale, CA iTrader: (0)	White smoke from engine bay Hey guys, So every time I start my car white smokes comes out. There is also a weird smell to it. I am also starting to experience a rough idle, not sure if it's related or not. Got a check engine light and it appears that it is cylinder 3 misfire but thats related to the rough idle. =( Anyways, back to the white smoke.. I think it might be the valve cover gasket that needs to be replaced..not sure. I also checked to see if there was any leaks from the radiator but it dsnt look like that's the issue. I don't know how to replace the gasket so I wanted to know if anyone would be willing to help me change it if this is the issue. Or maybe someone can help me diagnose the issue? Pm me if anyone is interested. Let me know what type of compensation your looking for. Maybe someone wants a pack of beer and pizza? lol Owning a bmw can be awesome but it can also be a pain in the ass.. Last edited by xTaSkx; 11-05-2014 at 06:11 PM..
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11-05-2014, 06:13 PM	#2
///M297 Private 0 Rep 63 Posts Drives: Sold: E91 6MT. Now: 07 RS4 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	Be careful, could be the head gasket going out.
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11-05-2014, 09:15 PM	#4
mic_e92 Private 19 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 335i e92 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San gabriel California iTrader: (1)	i had also that problem a month a go the dealer can figure it out for a month.. they replace the head gasket still smoking on the left side and it smells like there is something burning.. then when i drive my car it seems like its missing a gear so.. they replace 6 coils that help and i havent seen the smoke and aslo the smell is gone... but now my exhaust is smoking white smoke but its only sometimes i know my turbo seal is going out but for some reason it wont do it when i put it for service on the dealer so they had my car for 3 weeks still no smoke...
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11-12-2014, 11:53 PM	#5
Spun Crankhub Major General 964 Rep 5,033 Posts Drives: 15 F82 SOLD Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (63)	Could be valve cover gasket or even oil filter housing(assuming you have OF housing.) Those are common failure points on the N54. Not sure about your N51/N52.
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11-13-2014, 06:57 PM	#6
Mutagen Private First Class 7 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Rosemead, Ca iTrader: (1)	White smoke is burning oil...trace the oil by the exhaust down pipe area and u will have ur answer. I'm gonna guess head gasket leaking behind ur motor obo the exhaust.
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11-24-2014, 07:41 PM	#8
xTaSkx Private 4 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Glendale, CA iTrader: (0)	Turns out I have multiple leaks. Dealership found that the oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, and oil pan is leaking. They replaced the valve cover gasket, all spark plugs and coils. Still need to replace the oil pan and oil filter housing gasket but the smoke is gone and no more rough idle. Thanks everyone for your help.
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11-24-2014, 10:18 PM	#9
Laurus_CEO Banned 34 Rep 262 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Well it could've been much worse, glad its not the head gasket. Too bad you're in SoCal if you were in NorCal I'd offer to help you do the rest of the gaskets.
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11-24-2014, 10:24 PM	#10
LSx Private First Class 5 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 Mineral White Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Sonoma County, CA iTrader: (1)	White smoke + sweet smell is most times coolant in the combustion cycle. Blue smoke is oil burning. Black smoke is too rich fuel mixture.
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