N54 smoking

Joepiper151 · 12-26-2013, 08:27 AM

Hey guys, I'm new to the BMW thing but have done a bunch of research on my issue. Since the weather has turned I have noticed that my car smokes when I come to a stop. Its a very thick white smoke that has a smell to it (I cant pinpoint what the smell is but it stinks). I know the N54 is known to smoke a little but I feel that this is a bit much.

I've been regularly checking my fluid levels and it my oil is fine but my coolant is slowly decreasing. The car runs as great as it always has so I'm thinking its just a blown seal somewhere and nothing major like the head gasket. Has anyone got any hints on where to start my trouble shooting?

Thanks in advance.

MZWIE · 12-26-2013, 08:47 AM

I don't think it's smoke. When the temp drops the cars makes a lot of water and it is condensing. I believe this is what you see.

Mine does the same thing.

headsup7up · 12-26-2013, 09:50 AM

yeah if youre catless it will be even worse. its nothing to worry about, my car leaves a james bond style smoke screen on startup in the morning.

Joepiper151 · 12-26-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headsup7up

yeah if youre catless it will be even worse. its nothing to worry about, my car leaves a james bond style smoke screen on startup in the morning.

That's awesome, I guess its just something i'll get used to

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

I don't think it's smoke. When the temp drops the cars makes a lot of water and it is condensing. I believe this is what you see.

Mine does the same thing.

Thanks for the input. I thought I had a good reason to blow my tax refund on a stage 2 turbo set up

Miko226 · 12-26-2013, 05:38 PM

this is a very common to me too living in south florida 2 blocks from the ocean the humidity is unreal. On drier days i get no smoke at all and on humid days ill get a cloud go by sometimes. As long as your oil and coolant levels are not changing your turbo seals should be fine and you have nothing to worry about

n54pete · 12-27-2013, 01:05 PM

mines a 2 pack a day kinda gal haha, full catless here, with the weather lately I seem to have acquired a fog machine on my tail pipe

ilikebmxbikes · 12-27-2013, 01:11 PM

It could be your turbo seals going out - it will be white smoke present at stops and smell of burnt oil.

135Pats · 12-27-2013, 03:42 PM

IF you were burning or leaking coolant, it would likely be fairly obvious via

1. Coolant burns a VERY distinct, sweet smell. Not at all the pungent, somewhat noxious smell of oil/hydrocarbon burn
2. You'd get a low coolant light sooner or later. So if this has been going on for weeks with no low coolant sign...tend to doubt you have a major coolant leak.

Inclined to think it's either oil being burnt up via any number of places, or condensation.

Joepiper151 · 12-30-2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

It could be your turbo seals going out - it will be white smoke present at stops and smell of burnt oil.

I'm starting to think that it might be my turbo seals. when I shut the car off it smells terrible. I'm just confused that I've not had a coolant light or a loss of oil

Stohlen · 12-31-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joepiper151

I'm starting to think that it might be my turbo seals. when I shut the car off it smells terrible. I'm just confused that I've not had a coolant light or a loss of oil

Its the turbo seals, everyones will go eventually.

DNDC · 01-01-2014, 06:42 PM

I have a very similar problem and its definitely not just condensation.
The smell is quite strong and smells slightly like oil burning...smoke color is white.

My oil and coolant level do not drop (not more than usual every 5-10,00km)

I understand this is a common issue but I've taken it to a local shop but they cannot pinpoint the cause.

I am also fully catless....it would be good to list some things in this thread to try and pinpoint the direct cause of the issue as so many ppl seem to think different things.

Worth noting that my issue seems quite intermittent...on occasion it will smoke slightly, sometimes not at all, sometimes insanely a lot. I find sometimes bumping the car into neutral and back into Drive will help remedy the problem when at a standstill (problem only ever occurs coming to a stop). I've also noticed that if I apply the brakes harder and come to a stop quicker than usual the car does not smoke much or at all....although this is not a 100% fix.

Stohlen · 01-01-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNDC

I am also fully catless....it would be good to list some things in this thread to try and pinpoint the direct cause of the issue as so many ppl seem to think different things.

Worth noting that my issue seems quite intermittent...on occasion it will smoke slightly, sometimes not at all, sometimes insanely a lot. I find sometimes bumping the car into neutral and back into Drive will help remedy the problem when at a standstill (problem only ever occurs coming to a stop). I've also noticed that if I apply the brakes harder and come to a stop quicker than usual the car does not smoke much or at all....although this is not a 100% fix.

This is the exact same issue that many of us, including myself have had. All catless vehicles will smoke a bit, but this issue you're referring to is the turbo seals. I've got a new set sitting in my living waiting to go in.

DNDC · 01-01-2014, 07:22 PM

As you said, the mostly likely culprit for this issue will be the turbo seals....but in saying that, is there anyway to determine 100% whether the issue is the turbos (as I'm sure everyone can appreciate that replacing the turbos is quite a costly project and you would want something to confirm a turbo seal problem before replacing).

Would checks around the DP's or intercooler piping assist to determine the problem?

Stohlen · 01-01-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNDC

As you said, the mostly likely culprit for this issue will be the turbo seals....but in saying that, is there anyway to determine 100% whether the issue is the turbos (as I'm sure everyone can appreciate that replacing the turbos is quite a costly project and you would want something to confirm a turbo seal problem before replacing).

Would checks around the DP's or intercooler piping assist to determine the problem?

Perhaps, I noticed nothing abnormal when i took my aftermarket DPs off. I did notice that one of the two turbos had oil residue on the body... but if the oil is burning you're not gonna see much evidence of it.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but until I swap my turbos I won't really know.

headsup7up · 01-02-2014, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stohlen

Perhaps, I noticed nothing abnormal when i took my aftermarket DPs off. I did notice that one of the two turbos had oil residue on the body... but if the oil is burning you're not gonna see much evidence of it.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but until I swap my turbos I won't really know.

the cats will hide the oil smell. i had no idea my turbo seals were bad untill i went catless. on that note, i brought the car in complaining about my wastegates rattling so they replaced both turbos. killed two birds with one stone haha

Stohlen · 01-02-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headsup7up

the cats will hide the oil smell. i had no idea my turbo seals were bad untill i went catless. on that note, i brought the car in complaining about my wastegates rattling so they replaced both turbos. killed two birds with one stone haha

Unfortunately i already tried that move, put the stock cats on and since they couldn't see any smoke, they didn't do anything about the leak.

headsup7up · 01-03-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stohlen

Unfortunately i already tried that move, put the stock cats on and since they couldn't see any smoke, they didn't do anything about the leak.

im saying you should complain about a rattling noise coming from them even if you dont notice it. since its a very common issue they usually dont fight to hard about replacing them.

Joepiper151 · 01-03-2014, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headsup7up

im saying you should complain about a rattling noise coming from them even if you dont notice it. since its a very common issue they usually dont fight to hard about replacing them.

I'm going to be trying this move as soon as the weather changes. Thanks for the tip

Joepiper151 · 08-20-2014, 08:43 PM

Well... I tried to get the dealer to replace the turbos but it was a no go since my waste gate doesnt have the rattle. I checked all of my fluids yesterday though and noticed that my coolant was low so i'm assuming this is whats burning. Any suggestions on how to narrow things down?

I've got new spark plugs on the way so im hoping that will eliminate a head gasket failure if they all look the same. Any other suggestions?

12-26-2013, 08:27 AM	#1
Joepiper151 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	N54 smoking Hey guys, I'm new to the BMW thing but have done a bunch of research on my issue. Since the weather has turned I have noticed that my car smokes when I come to a stop. Its a very thick white smoke that has a smell to it (I cant pinpoint what the smell is but it stinks). I know the N54 is known to smoke a little but I feel that this is a bit much. I've been regularly checking my fluid levels and it my oil is fine but my coolant is slowly decreasing. The car runs as great as it always has so I'm thinking its just a blown seal somewhere and nothing major like the head gasket. Has anyone got any hints on where to start my trouble shooting? Thanks in advance.
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12-26-2013, 08:47 AM	#2
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	I don't think it's smoke. When the temp drops the cars makes a lot of water and it is condensing. I believe this is what you see. Mine does the same thing.
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12-26-2013, 09:50 AM	#3
headsup7up Private First Class 9 Rep 154 Posts Drives: CSM 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	yeah if youre catless it will be even worse. its nothing to worry about, my car leaves a james bond style smoke screen on startup in the morning.
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12-26-2013, 05:38 PM	#5
Miko226 Captain 61 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 11' 335d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	this is a very common to me too living in south florida 2 blocks from the ocean the humidity is unreal. On drier days i get no smoke at all and on humid days ill get a cloud go by sometimes. As long as your oil and coolant levels are not changing your turbo seals should be fine and you have nothing to worry about __________________ 11' m57 335d 165k Miles - JR 2, ATM Full Exhaust & Intake, Wagner FMIC, AAR Boost Pipe, AAR Swirl Delete, AAR EGR Delete 08' n54 135i FBO E85 - SOLD
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12-27-2013, 01:05 PM	#6
n54pete Private First Class 11 Rep 167 Posts Drives: e82 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: ohio iTrader: (2)	mines a 2 pack a day kinda gal haha, full catless here, with the weather lately I seem to have acquired a fog machine on my tail pipe
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12-27-2013, 01:11 PM	#7
ilikebmxbikes Banned 1518 Rep 4,744 Posts Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (42) Garage List '08/13 1M Clone 4.0L [10.00] '11 e92 M3 4.6L [10.00]	It could be your turbo seals going out - it will be white smoke present at stops and smell of burnt oil.
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12-27-2013, 03:42 PM	#8
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	IF you were burning or leaking coolant, it would likely be fairly obvious via 1. Coolant burns a VERY distinct, sweet smell. Not at all the pungent, somewhat noxious smell of oil/hydrocarbon burn 2. You'd get a low coolant light sooner or later. So if this has been going on for weeks with no low coolant sign...tend to doubt you have a major coolant leak. Inclined to think it's either oil being burnt up via any number of places, or condensation. __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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01-01-2014, 06:42 PM	#11
DNDC Private 14 Rep 76 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	smoking I have a very similar problem and its definitely not just condensation. The smell is quite strong and smells slightly like oil burning...smoke color is white. My oil and coolant level do not drop (not more than usual every 5-10,00km) I understand this is a common issue but I've taken it to a local shop but they cannot pinpoint the cause. I am also fully catless....it would be good to list some things in this thread to try and pinpoint the direct cause of the issue as so many ppl seem to think different things. Worth noting that my issue seems quite intermittent...on occasion it will smoke slightly, sometimes not at all, sometimes insanely a lot. I find sometimes bumping the car into neutral and back into Drive will help remedy the problem when at a standstill (problem only ever occurs coming to a stop). I've also noticed that if I apply the brakes harder and come to a stop quicker than usual the car does not smoke much or at all....although this is not a 100% fix.
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01-01-2014, 07:22 PM	#13
DNDC Private 14 Rep 76 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	smoking As you said, the mostly likely culprit for this issue will be the turbo seals....but in saying that, is there anyway to determine 100% whether the issue is the turbos (as I'm sure everyone can appreciate that replacing the turbos is quite a costly project and you would want something to confirm a turbo seal problem before replacing). Would checks around the DP's or intercooler piping assist to determine the problem?
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08-20-2014, 08:43 PM	#19
Joepiper151 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	Well... I tried to get the dealer to replace the turbos but it was a no go since my waste gate doesnt have the rattle. I checked all of my fluids yesterday though and noticed that my coolant was low so i'm assuming this is whats burning. Any suggestions on how to narrow things down? I've got new spark plugs on the way so im hoping that will eliminate a head gasket failure if they all look the same. Any other suggestions?
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