Your oil and your crankcase vent valve are mostly to blame for the problem. More particular, the quality of the valve seals was compromised during manufacture, which is the cause. The valve seals stiffen as engine temperature rises. As a result, oil passes through and finally burns, resulting in the smoke. Along with the more evident symptoms, this causes a serious issue with oil consumption, which if not resolved right away, might result in other issues in the future.
In This Article...
the primary reasons why a BMW engine blows white smoke from the exhaust
Your BMW’s exhaust is emitting white smoke when there is a problem. If it does, there may be problems with the engine control unit, a failing coolant tank, strange oil leaks, damaged cylinder heads, broken fuel pump injectors, or other components. For additional information on the major reasons of the white smoke coming from your BMW’s exhaust, see the aforementioned slideshow.
What to look for in a smokey exhaust while diagnosing it
Finding out precisely when smoke is flowing from your car’s exhaust is the first step. If it only occurs when you accelerate, it might be a different issue than if it only happens when you are moving or if it occurs consistently when the engine is running.
The next step is to try to identify the type of smoke after figuring out when it happens. Is it white, grey, or just a little bit blue? Or is it dark and dense? Once it’s in the air, does it immediately evaporate? Or does the smoke linger and have a foul odor? If it’s black smoke, does that mean that when the car is stopped, soot is left on the road beneath the exhaust tip?
The primary reasons for smoke coming from an exhaust can change based on your car and how it is maintained. Any visible exhaust emissions are probably nothing to worry about if your automobile is kept up well and serviced on a regular basis, but it is still worth examining.
The actual problem is with badly maintained vehicles since smoke from the exhaust can be a telltale sign of carelessness. This might be a helpful tip when purchasing a used automobile because a smoking exhaust can be an obvious symptom of underlying issues if the service history is lacking.
Depending on whether your automobile has a diesel or a gasoline engine, the smoke you see may be created by a variety of things. If you drive a hybrid, you might also notice that something is coming out of your exhaust that you weren’t expecting.
To make it easier for you to immediately determine what issue is causing each type of smoke, we have divided the various types of smoke you may encounter. We’ve also mentioned whether a remedy is required and how expensive a patch would be. You can scroll down the page for a more detailed explanation, but the summary for each form of exhaust smoke are just below.
- White smoke coming from the exhaust could be condensation-induced steam from the exhaust pipe or a more serious problem from an engine coolant leak. White smoke in excess could be a sign of a failing head gasket.
- Blue exhaust smoke indicates the burning of oil. There are several potential causes, with worn piston rings, valve seals, and turbochargers being the most serious ones.
- Grey exhaust smoke could be caused by too much oil, a broken PCV valve, or a transmission fluid leak in automatic vehicles.
- In a petrol vehicle, black smoke from the exhaust implies that too much fuel is being burned and may indicate issues with the air filter or fuel injectors. It’s more likely to be soot accumulation or the diesel particulate filter cleaning itself in diesel vehicles. A longer drive should give the filter time to clean itself and fix the issue, ideally on a highway where greater speeds and revs are possible.
The engine uses oil, right?
Models impacted
CAUSE: The oil separators, which can malfunction and create an excessive vacuum in the crankcase, can also go wrong. If this happens, the oil will be drawn into the intake and burned. The second and most frequent problem is when oil leaks through the valves and causes smoking and oil consumption because the valve guide seals become faulty due to aging and heat exposure when the engine is running.
Instead, replacing the valve steam oil seals is a fairly involved process that frequently necessitates removing the cylinder heads in order to access the valve springs and then the valve oil seals. On the N62 engines, this job requires roughly 30 hours of labor plus parts, which might cost a small fortune in both time and money. Additionally, you must ensure that timing settings are made correctly before beginning this job, and you require specialized equipment to accomplish so.
At OGS Mechanics, we have the tools necessary to perform valve steam replacement without removing cylinder heads, cutting expenses by more than 50% compared to the first method.
Why is the engine of my BMW smoking?
Burning oil is most likely the source of any odor coming from behind the hood that smells like tar or asphalt. There can be an oil leak if it seeps onto the engine’s components and burns off. Additionally, while the engine is operating, oil could enter the fuel system and burn. This might occur if a gasket fails.
Why does my BMW start to smoke when I go fast?
It’s a sign that your car’s engine is absorbing too much transmission fluid from the vacuum hose or line when you notice white smoke coming from the exhaust as you accelerate or even during cold-start and warm-up. This causes burning oil and a strong burnt-oil odor.
Why is my BMW’s engine smoking even though it’s not hot?
Oil Spillage and Leakage – If smoke is coming from your engine but it isn’t overheating, there was probably some oil spilled on it. It’s also possible that you have an oil leak as a result of worn-out components or seals. (Exhaust smoke from the vehicle may also be visible.)
Why is my car burning all of a sudden?
Overheating in automobile engines frequently results in smoke. Defective wire casings, hot residues on the engine block, and hot liquids like oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid can all contribute to this.
Your cooling system can also be broken, or your engine might not have enough lubricant. Find a reputable garage to have a look, whatever the issue.
Why does my car smell like burning rubber and is it smoking?
A burnt rubber odor coming from an automobile is frequently an indication that the brakes or tires have been overheated. The most common cause of overheating in cars is a sliding or malfunctioning clutch. If you notice this odor and were applying the clutch at the time, wait until the car has cooled before attempting again.
Why is my car’s engine smoking but it isn’t overheating?
The most typical response to the question “Why is my car smoking but not overheating?” is that an engine has come into contact with some sort of fluid. This can include coolant, motor oil, petrol, transmission fluid, and condensation. Due to the engine fluid being burned off, it may cause your engine to smoke.
When my car emits white smoke, what does it mean?
In general, thin, white exhaust smoke that resembles water vapor may not be a cause for concern. Depending on the weather, condensation may accumulate inside your car’s exhaust system and steam may be produced by the heat moving through the pipes.
You might have a problem if your exhaust system is spewing out a lot of thick, white smoke. This dense smoke is frequently the result of coolant burning because of problems with the engine, such as a fractured engine block, broken cylinder, or blown head gasket.
A coolant leak that could result in overheating and seriously risk causing harm to your engine is typically indicated by thick white exhaust smoke. If this is the case, give our auto repair business a call right away to schedule an inspection.
Why is my exhaust emitting GREEN smoke?
Grey or Blue Smoke Grey or bluish-tinged smoke coming from the exhaust pipe typically indicates that your engine is burning oil in the combustion chamber. Numerous factors, such as faulty piston rings or leaking valve seals, could be the cause of burning oil.
Is it typical to observe engine smoke?
Your car’s hood is emitting smoke, which is an immediate indication that something is certainly wrong. It may be an indication of a little problem or a serious issue with your car. After sitting over night, it’s typical to observe a tiny white puff of smoke emerge from your tailpipe. Only water vapor exists. As water interacts with the radiator or exhaust on a rainy day, steam may also be visible pouring from the hood. However, you must stop right away and take a look if you are driving and suddenly smoke appears to be coming from the engine or tailpipe.
It’s crucial to initially comprehend what the color or scent of the smoke suggests before you start to fear. You can decide whether to keep driving or seek the advice of a repair shop by determining the cause.
How can I get my car to quit emitting white smoke?
As a result, the engine will begin to emit white smoke when it receives too much or too little fuel. This necessitates resetting or reprograming the ECM. Typically, you may fix the problem by removing your car battery for a little while and restarting the computer.
Can smoke harm a car’s engine?
Vehicle fires can result in significant damage and jeopardize a driver’s safety. Smoke, however, typically does not seriously harm a car’s engine. Although the engine may suffer some damage, the vehicle’s power may be badly affected.
Can a car smoke due to low oil?
Blue smoke is typically brought on by oil leaking into the engine and burning with the fuel. Additionally, the oil in your engine will be low. Additionally, it’s possible that the exhaust system is being contacted by an external oil leak.
Describe the typical exhaust smoke.
When your car’s exhaust is thin or light in color, it is deemed typical. Typically, all of this smoke is just water vapor. When you first start your car, especially on chilly days, you’ll notice it. Condensation naturally gathers in the exhaust system, which is the cause of this type of exhaust. In all automobiles with gasoline engines, this exhaust is typical.
How is GREY exhaust smoke fixed?
The simplest approach to eliminate blue or gray smoke is to apply a container of Motor Honey Oil Treatment to your motor oil each time you change your oil. It is particularly made to cut down on oil burning and stop smokey exhausts.
Do I need to turn off my car if it’s smoking?
When it’s safe to do so, pull over and turn off your engine if you see your engine emitting steam or starting to smoke. If you feel comfortable, raise the car’s hood.
Can I operate my car while emitting white smoke?
Smoke White You need to get off the road as quickly as you can if it’s overheating. If you decide to disregard it, you can end up severely harming your car. If the smoke smells nice, your coolant may be malfunctioning.
Can white smoke be caused by low oil?
Can White Smoke Be Caused by Low Oil? Answer: No, it can’t. Unrelated to the fluid level, you can notice blue-tinted smoke emerging from your exhaust if oil manages to enter the combustion chamber.
Can I still operate a vehicle if it is smoking?
Do not continue driving if smoke is seen coming from the car. As soon as you can, stop on the side of the road and turn the engine off. Check to see if you can add fuel to the vehicle and restart the engine if there is also low oil pressure.