[dth26]

Hello all,

There is white smoke coming up from the engine bay while my 2008 bmw e90 is idle. The pipes under the valve cover down in the engine bay where the smoke appears to be coming from get very hot/too hot to touch after the car runs for about 20 seconds from a completely cold start. I believe this is a coolant leak somewhere because i added coolant about 5 months ago and today i checked the coolant level and floating stick dropped about an 1-2 inches.

Here is a youtube video:

I had an oil leak prior to this video which is what I thought was causing this white smoke. However, after replacing the valve cover gasket, and Valvetronic Camshaft Adjuster Gasket the white smoke still appears. I don't notice any more leak but I am still getting white smoke. Unless it is the residual oil from the leak prior to me replacing the vcg that is causing the white smoke I don't think that's the cause.


Anybody able to provide insight and help diagnose the problem and tell me what parts I should look at or need to be replaced?

[noah.s]

Seems like you've got a valve cover gasket leak and oil is dripping onto the headers.

[dth26]

I actually just replaced the valve cover gasket and there doesn't seem to be any more oil leaking. Unless it is the residual oil from the leak prior to me replacing the vcg that is causing the white smoke.

[noah.s]

Originally Posted by dth26

I actually just replaced the valve cover gasket and there doesn't seem to be any more oil leaking. Unless it is the residual oil from the leak prior to me replacing the vcg that is causing the white smoke.

How long ago did you replace it? Do you know what burning oil smells like? This is exactly what my leaking vcg does. It's oil from somewhere dripping onto your headers.

[dth26]

Originally Posted by noah.s

How long ago did you replace it? Do you know what burning oil smells like? This is exactly what my leaking vcg does. It's oil from somewhere dripping onto your headers.

Like burning rubber? If so I do not really smell burning rubber. I just finished replacing the vcg this morning. Then I started the car and it started smoking again.

[avocet]

If you JUST replaced your gasket, it will take a few minutes for any residue to burn off the exhaust manifolds. Let it run for a few minutes while watching it and see if it goes away.

*If it gets worse or lights on fire shut your car off. And use your handy fire extinguisher that you always have on hand in your garage*

[noah.s]

Originally Posted by dth26

Like burning rubber? If so I do not really smell burning rubber. I just finished replacing the vcg this morning. Then I started the car and it started smoking again.

Well that makes some sense. Like the poster above me said it could take some time to burn off any fluids that spilled onto the headers.

[N54Luvr]

Residual, it will take weeks unless u pressure wash it

[yipronny]

agree with everyone, i just did this back in Christmas.

Unless you wiped everything cleaned, it might be oil residue that leaked prior to replacing the gasket.

[Greyfox]

Yep, residual burn off and any spillage while changing.

But there is also the possibility that the gasket wrinkled or came out of place before it was fully installed.

[wallacelau]

Valve cover gasket. I had the same problem. Replace it and problem solved.

[N54Luvr]

Originally Posted by wallacelau

Valve cover gasket. I had the same problem. Replace it and problem solved.

Arrgggg !!

[CW]

Hopefully just residual oil like everyone else is saying but it could be a pinched valve cover gasket or damaged valve cover. This happened to me and I ended up having to replace the valve cover and and gasket and do the job all over again.

[wallacelau]

Originally Posted by N54Luvr

Arrgggg !!

Oh. I am sorry OP. Didn't see there are words under the clip. My bad.

[dth26]

Everyone, thanks for the advice!

I ran my car for about 2-3 minutes today, and the smoke finally went away! I guess the issue was with the residual oil.

[401FlaGATOR]

Phew!

[Joseh0903]

I replaced the VCG a month ago and now once I turn my car on it does the same thing as in the video. I doubt it is still residual oil from the last oil leak since its been over a month. what could be the problem?? I have an extra VCG laying around cause Ik they are common issues. Should I go ahead and replace it and see if that fixes my problem?

[ny325]

Joseh0903, look into the SULEV emissions warranty for our cars. It’s 15yrs/150,000 miles. The VCG is covered. Have the dealer do it, and see what happens. Just had mine done. Good luck.