Random Smoking at idle......could it be injectors

Smurfzilla · 11-20-2017, 05:50 PM

At first I thought it was the turbos going (I have a little over a 100k on the clock). It could very well be but the smoking doesnt happen all the time. Its really random. It will start after first start up if the car has been sitting but after driving it for a while sometimes when I'm at a stop light its fine. Other times its not super crazy excessive but tis enough to be really noticeable. If i turn the car off and then wait about 10ish seconds it doesnt seem to do it. Doesnt really smoke on acceleration either (I dont think or else my wife when shes trailed me would've said something).

Do you guys think its the injectors? I dont know if they have ever been replaced or not. There is not an excessive amount of oil in the intake tract......Injectors are cheaper then 2 turbos.

Any ideas?

asiflicious · 11-20-2017, 05:51 PM

Are you sure it's smoke and not condensation? Could be an oil leak

Eric_M328i · 11-20-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiflicious

Are you sure it's smoke and not condensation? Could be an oil leak

^

Ya it might be an oil leak. Before i fixed my cracked valve cover and replaced the VCG my car had condensation just like that. Sometimes when i first turned on the car i could see some clear smoke or steam that was being caused by the leaking oil. Check it out

Smurfzilla · 11-28-2017, 08:50 AM

Any ideas from where? I had a mechanic friend go over the car (I thought maybe the turbo seals starting to fail) but he didn't see any extraordinary signs of oil leakage in any of the traditional places, its intermittent thing so its a little hard to ascertain what it could be.

BeastMode335i · 11-28-2017, 10:36 AM

Remove downpipes and inspect turbos for oil, that's a dead giveaway.. Better to diagnose as opposed to guess, and all you'll get here are guesses..

jcarv20s · 11-28-2017, 12:13 PM

I have the same thing going on with my 08 e92 335xi

jt335i · 11-28-2017, 01:27 PM

Does the smoke smell like burning oil? If so, has the valve cover gasket ever been replaced? If not, you may need to have it done.
I noticed very light smoke when my car was parked idling and could see it at night when the headlights were on so I took it to my trusted mechanic and he saw the oil leaks in the OFHG and VCG so I had them both replaced.

Pladi · 11-28-2017, 02:08 PM

In my opinion it could be anything but injectors.. White smoke usually turbo seals or some sort of oil/coolant leak. Measure compression on all cylinders. If there was injector issues bad enough to get smoke you would also misfire. Scan the car for codes, even if you dont have an engine check like u might have codes that you can read also do compression test on all cylinders.

If you cannot tell between condensation and smoke dont touch the car.

Dbwilliams · 11-28-2017, 08:29 PM

06 330i E90— smoking at idle, start up and at stops and other times. Found it to be the Vaulve cover Gasket. Also, bought the car used and inherited 3 broken vaulve cover bolts. GRRRR. Removed them with a little time and put new gasket on. Stoped oil leak.

Just a little time and a few kind words is all you need.

JollyBell · 12-01-2020, 01:36 PM

To be honest, I don't think this is a turbine problem. In order to accurately understand the problem, it is necessary to carry out a technical inspection of the machine, since simply in words the wrong "diagnosis" will most likely be made. Yes, you will have to spend a small amount of money in a car service, but you will not have any problems with repairs. The main thing is that the service can determine the breakdown. A friend of mine had a very confusing case with his car. He had a breakdown (I don't remember which one, but it was related to the engine), but it was at this time that the official dealer was closed and he could not fix his car there, so he decided to contact a private car service (Big mistake). In the end, he was issued a check for a huge amount of money, which included replacing the engine. My friend was very worried about this, as the car is relatively new. He had to take kratom extract to calm down. As a result, he simply refused the services of this service and waited for the official dealer to be opened again. Yes, he had to wait a little more than a month, but in the end there was a small breakdown, the repair of which cost only $ 3,500 ...

11-20-2017, 05:50 PM	#1
Smurfzilla Private First Class 22 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Raleigh iTrader: (0)	Random Smoking at idle......could it be injectors At first I thought it was the turbos going (I have a little over a 100k on the clock). It could very well be but the smoking doesnt happen all the time. Its really random. It will start after first start up if the car has been sitting but after driving it for a while sometimes when I'm at a stop light its fine. Other times its not super crazy excessive but tis enough to be really noticeable. If i turn the car off and then wait about 10ish seconds it doesnt seem to do it. Doesnt really smoke on acceleration either (I dont think or else my wife when shes trailed me would've said something). Do you guys think its the injectors? I dont know if they have ever been replaced or not. There is not an excessive amount of oil in the intake tract......Injectors are cheaper then 2 turbos. Any ideas?
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11-20-2017, 05:51 PM	#2
asiflicious Captain 712 Rep 971 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Winchester, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Are you sure it's smoke and not condensation? Could be an oil leak
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11-28-2017, 08:50 AM	#4
Smurfzilla Private First Class 22 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Raleigh iTrader: (0)	Any ideas from where? I had a mechanic friend go over the car (I thought maybe the turbo seals starting to fail) but he didn't see any extraordinary signs of oil leakage in any of the traditional places, its intermittent thing so its a little hard to ascertain what it could be.
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11-28-2017, 10:36 AM	#5
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1132 Rep 4,586 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	Remove downpipes and inspect turbos for oil, that's a dead giveaway.. Better to diagnose as opposed to guess, and all you'll get here are guesses.. __________________ F30 335i Melbourne Red Metallic M-Sport Package
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11-28-2017, 12:13 PM	#6
jcarv20s Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Danbury, CT iTrader: (0)	I have the same thing going on with my 08 e92 335xi
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11-28-2017, 01:27 PM	#7
jt335i Major 263 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Monaco blue Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (0)	Does the smoke smell like burning oil? If so, has the valve cover gasket ever been replaced? If not, you may need to have it done. I noticed very light smoke when my car was parked idling and could see it at night when the headlights were on so I took it to my trusted mechanic and he saw the oil leaks in the OFHG and VCG so I had them both replaced. __________________ 2010 BMW 335i: Monaco blue metallic/Premium+Sport Auto-Steptronic, BMW PE, Cobb Stage 2 2005 Mustang GT: Redfire metallic/5-spd/Ford Racing (Axle backs, silver Bullitt wheels)/K&N CAI/ Diablo Sport Predator Tuner 1997 Toyota Corolla 1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL Roadster
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11-28-2017, 02:08 PM	#8
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 719 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	In my opinion it could be anything but injectors.. White smoke usually turbo seals or some sort of oil/coolant leak. Measure compression on all cylinders. If there was injector issues bad enough to get smoke you would also misfire. Scan the car for codes, even if you dont have an engine check like u might have codes that you can read also do compression test on all cylinders. If you cannot tell between condensation and smoke dont touch the car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-28-2017, 08:29 PM	#9
Dbwilliams 2006 330i E90 sedan 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i E90 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Central Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	06 330i E90— smoking at idle, start up and at stops and other times. Found it to be the Vaulve cover Gasket. Also, bought the car used and inherited 3 broken vaulve cover bolts. GRRRR. Removed them with a little time and put new gasket on. Stoped oil leak. Just a little time and a few kind words is all you need.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2020, 01:36 PM	#10
JollyBell Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW x5, e90, e46 coupe Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: USA, California iTrader: (0)	To be honest, I don't think this is a turbine problem. In order to accurately understand the problem, it is necessary to carry out a technical inspection of the machine, since simply in words the wrong "diagnosis" will most likely be made. Yes, you will have to spend a small amount of money in a car service, but you will not have any problems with repairs. The main thing is that the service can determine the breakdown. A friend of mine had a very confusing case with his car. He had a breakdown (I don't remember which one, but it was related to the engine), but it was at this time that the official dealer was closed and he could not fix his car there, so he decided to contact a private car service (Big mistake). In the end, he was issued a check for a huge amount of money, which included replacing the engine. My friend was very worried about this, as the car is relatively new. He had to take kratom extract to calm down. As a result, he simply refused the services of this service and waited for the official dealer to be opened again. Yes, he had to wait a little more than a month, but in the end there was a small breakdown, the repair of which cost only $ 3,500 ...
	Appreciate 0 Quote