Blue smoke/oil smell

[My27KGame]

I noticed a oil smell coming from my exhaust while sitting at a light one day, and I could see it as well. When looking through all the suspect items (I just replaced the turbos 4k mi ago), I checked my charge pipe, and sure enough there was oil in the bottom of it. I thought I was the coldside turbo seal issue, but when I checked my intercooler, it was bone dry. I'm now thinking its coming from the valve train. I do have a catch cant and it is working properly, the return is dry. Has anyone experienced this before, or know what might be causing it? The car only has 50K mi on it. Not sure if that matters or not, but adding it in for additional information

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Originally Posted by My27KGame

I noticed a oil smell coming from my exhaust while sitting at a light one day, and I could see it as well. When looking through all the suspect items (I just replaced the turbos 4k mi ago), I checked my charge pipe, and sure enough there was oil in the bottom of it. I thought I was the coldside turbo seal issue, but when I checked my intercooler, it was bone dry. I'm now thinking its coming from the valve train. I do have a catch cant and it is working properly, the return is dry. Has anyone experienced this before, or know what might be causing it? The car only has 50K mi on it. Not sure if that matters or not, but adding it in for additional information

Check compression to rule that out.

Yank your intake manifold and look for oil on the intake valves to rule that out.

Did you replace your turbos with Oem replacements or rebuilds?

[kprocivic]

What he said about the turbos.

[My27KGame]

They are rebuilds from RB, that he did as Nextgens. There is no Oil in the IC, so I know it’s not coming thru the cold side seals. I know it’s in the intake manifold and the Charge pipe. It doesn’t seem to be burning much oil though, 1-2 quarts per 3k mi. based on some homework I’ve done, BMW would consider this to be “normal”

[miro2296]

Check the bottom of your car it might be a small leak from your valve cover/valve cover gasket. I currently have same issue and have oil on my charge pipe but clean inside intercooler and inside charge pipe.

[vincentimes.69]

I'm having the same issue on my 135i. The leak is on the passenger side of the engine and it drips on the turbo pipe, creating that nasty strong burnt oil smell. I too suspect the valve cover gasket... Still investigating.

[My27KGame]

Originally Posted by vincentimes.69

I'm having the same issue on my 135i. The leak is on the passenger side of the engine and it drips on the turbo pipe, creating that nasty strong burnt oil smell. I too suspect the valve cover gasket... Still investigating.

I spoke with Rob from RB for quite some time back in August. he recommended doing the valvecover mod, as our valve covers were over engineered. He also suggested installing a catch can in the low position. I took on a different project this winter, and will likely acquire all the parts I can this summer so next winter i can do this swap. He also told me that the lower catch cans catch ALOT more oil. Something to the tune of 1/2 QT per 300 miles.

[sandlion]

Originally Posted by My27KGame

I spoke with Rob from RB for quite some time back in August. he recommended doing the valvecover mod, as our valve covers were over engineered. He also suggested installing a catch can in the low position. I took on a different project this winter, and will likely acquire all the parts I can this summer so next winter i can do this swap. He also told me that the lower catch cans catch ALOT more oil. Something to the tune of 1/2 QT per 300 miles.

what is the valve cover mod?

[My27KGame]

Originally Posted by sandlion

what is the valve cover mod?

I believe it is pluging some of the ports to prevent oil from running through them. this in turn lessens how much oil is leaked into the intake. im sure some one has done a thread on this here. if not Rob@RBTurbo might be able to shed some light on this.

[cesarortiz23]

I'm having the same problem on my car is so confusing I just did a thread my self about this

I have stock turbos car has 77k miles

in a n55

I have a bad oil smell

I only see blue smoke every now and then on deceleration and when coming to a stop only

Or when I keep it on a 3k rpm on first gear or 2nd gear

And the car needs to be fully warm to see smoke


If I drive normal I won't see smoke all day long

[My27KGame]

sounds like a turbo seal to me, but i dont know if this happens on the n55.