whats too much smoke

Thewrench86 · 04-01-2014, 11:05 AM

n53 325i pre lci

when im stationary at lights, all weather conditions hot cold doesnt matter (obviously does it more when really cold) but i have exhaust smoke that is light grey in colour doesnt have much of smell.
i burn through oil as most 3litres do about 1 litre every 1500 miles. i oil change every 7k. regularly serviced dealer hasnt mentioned anything and they love telling u about problems (out of warranty)
cars being used for mainly short journeys.
cant think of any other information someone might need to help me.

basically is it normal ???

thanks guys

Phil325i · 04-01-2014, 11:14 AM

I've found some 'smoke' from the exhaust is normal. It's in fact water vapour as our engines burn so lean. Shouldn't really be happening once the engine is up to temp though. Mine uses no oil at all between changes (every 6K).

Might be worth having a compression test or cooling system pressure test to check for head gasket problems...

Thewrench86 · 04-07-2014, 06:21 AM

going to check it checked out then.

thanks but so you never have to do the top 1 litre of oil??? flags up on the idrive every few k.

rhysh1990 · 04-07-2014, 06:30 AM

My n53 330i is the same think i top up 1l every 5 months/6000 miles

old grey steve · 04-07-2014, 06:57 AM

oil usage on these is normal about a litre every 100-1500(depends on how the engines run in seems about right)don't forget the oil is used not only as a lubricant but is used to aid cooling as the car will run above 100 degrees and therefore a certain amount of evaporation will take place, however if you've got oil contamination and your breathers blocked you will see smoke when pulling away after the engines been ticking over say at a set of lights or a roundabout.

The other thing that's starting to show its ugly head is when driving down a hill coasting on a trailing and you press the throttle again you see a large amount of smoke being emitted which we're seeing the odd car come our way with suspected valve guide issues oil use will of course take place here.

Apart from that are you losing oil from the vacuum pump, the oil filter housing or the rocker cover gasket? All known issues with thee cars I'm afraid but worth getting looked into as these will all of course contribute to oil loss.

04-01-2014, 11:05 AM	#1
Thewrench86 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 286 Posts Drives: E92 \M sport. F06 640d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	whats too much smoke n53 325i pre lci when im stationary at lights, all weather conditions hot cold doesnt matter (obviously does it more when really cold) but i have exhaust smoke that is light grey in colour doesnt have much of smell. i burn through oil as most 3litres do about 1 litre every 1500 miles. i oil change every 7k. regularly serviced dealer hasnt mentioned anything and they love telling u about problems (out of warranty) cars being used for mainly short journeys. cant think of any other information someone might need to help me. basically is it normal ??? thanks guys
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04-01-2014, 11:14 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	I've found some 'smoke' from the exhaust is normal. It's in fact water vapour as our engines burn so lean. Shouldn't really be happening once the engine is up to temp though. Mine uses no oil at all between changes (every 6K). Might be worth having a compression test or cooling system pressure test to check for head gasket problems... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-07-2014, 06:21 AM	#3
Thewrench86 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 286 Posts Drives: E92 \M sport. F06 640d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	going to check it checked out then. thanks but so you never have to do the top 1 litre of oil??? flags up on the idrive every few k.
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04-07-2014, 06:30 AM	#4
rhysh1990 Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 272 Posts Drives: e92 330i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: South Wales iTrader: (0)	My n53 330i is the same think i top up 1l every 5 months/6000 miles
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04-07-2014, 06:57 AM	#5
old grey steve Colonel 283 Rep 2,796 Posts Drives: MK 7.5 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UK in Hertfordshire iTrader: (2)	oil usage on these is normal about a litre every 100-1500(depends on how the engines run in seems about right)don't forget the oil is used not only as a lubricant but is used to aid cooling as the car will run above 100 degrees and therefore a certain amount of evaporation will take place, however if you've got oil contamination and your breathers blocked you will see smoke when pulling away after the engines been ticking over say at a set of lights or a roundabout. The other thing that's starting to show its ugly head is when driving down a hill coasting on a trailing and you press the throttle again you see a large amount of smoke being emitted which we're seeing the odd car come our way with suspected valve guide issues oil use will of course take place here. Apart from that are you losing oil from the vacuum pump, the oil filter housing or the rocker cover gasket? All known issues with thee cars I'm afraid but worth getting looked into as these will all of course contribute to oil loss.
	Appreciate 0 Quote