Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
keen

E90 smoking

Recommended Posts

Can anyone give me a lead as to why my E90 2007 100000kms is smoking at idle. Not while running on the open road. All the check systems show OK. It's not using a lot of oil and it's not noisy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hi Ken, which e90 is it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wouldn't be one of the 4 pot ones (316/318/320), would it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What colour is the smoke? Is it while the engine is hot or cold?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello. Yes it is a 4 cylinder. The smoke is blue. My informer says. It is when it's running cold or hot. 

The car is not down on power (noticeably) and it doesn't have that smell that comes from a worn out engine. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The n46 engine is notorious for valve stem seals failing.

It happens to all of them as the valve stem seals were faulty from the factory, and at about where your current mileage is.

Keep your fingers crossed that its the cvv. If it is the cvv, replace it and its associated hoses, and sell the car.

Then buy a six cylinder or diesil powered e90.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for that advice. Can I assume that if I was to replace the faulty seals the new one's would be "not faulty"? I hear your advice. I kind of like this car, it is in good condition and all I need now. What is the "cvv" and what has happened to it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Probably unlikely to be the CCV (crankcase ventilator) if it's blowing smoke. Usually Doesn't blow smoke until the CCV is replaced as it is now working correctly 

Easy valve stem seals test is let the car idle for 5mins then rev it hard while stationary, if blows a heap of blue smoke then seals have failed. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you replace the seals it will be fine as the new seals are good.

Only problem is its a very expensive job.

cvv is crankcase ventilation valve. These either fail or get blocked over time, as do its associated hoses.

 

Do the test Gaz mentioned above to see where you stand

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OK thank you will try this and see what happens. Can you give me an idea of valve stem seal replacement cost? 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

thing about this engine is, you'll do the valve stem seals, and then you'll do the CCV stuff.  and all will be well... for about five mins and you'll find oil leaks, and then the plastic timing guides will crack, the tensioner will go, the chain will jump a tooth... and it won't die as such, it'll just piss you off and not run quite right, until you relent and decide to get that fixed, and then you'll find the ++$$$ as it's valvetronic timing and all the gaskets have turned to hard plastic... and you'll wonder why you were so optimistic and should have bought the reliable safe-bet 6 cylinder equivalent when you had the chance.

Sorry mate, these are epicly sh*t motors, pure and simple.  Or you're blessed, and should buy lotto.

  • Like 5

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow not a lot of positive there. 

Is the 6 cylinder faultless? 

Such a shame it's a very tidy car.

What is the recommended model then. I just want something that will keep going for a while. I'm not hard on cars. I feel I know how to look after them. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The sixes arent "faultless", but the fours are utter dogs. Anything 323i or bigger will be a six. Obviously a 330i would be the best.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Valve stem seal replacement cost is in the thousands.

 

Honestly the n46 was one of the worst engines bmw ever made, and you should sell the car before you get attached.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Valve stem seals are about 2k with the head in place

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have tried the recommended test that Gaz advised and there was some oil smoke not a lot like big clouds of it. It was sort of more black smoke like unburned fuel. Is it a hard job to replace the CVV and its hoses?

I will do this and sell it. 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Replacing the cvv and hoses is not too hard, just time consuming as the inlet manifold has to come off. Just take photos as you go and take your time.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

imo if you did the valve stem seals you would do the chainkit at the same time. I get engines sent to me at home and do it for $1000 + parts

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...