[SuperMoose2403]

Hi All,

Looking for your thoughts / opinions / help on what potential issue I have with my car (135 N54). Started it up this evening, whilst setting up ipod could smell something not quite right and a little bit of steam/smoke from towards the front of bonnet (not much, but did catch the light - only just happened so is pitch black outside).

Opened up the bonnet and could see there is a bit of smoke being produced from toward the back of the engine, more on the left side of the main block. I've taken some pictures (below) of the general area, as well as one with a black pipe/tube which seems to have some fluid on it towards the bottom (but the smoke was further back than that).

Any thoughts what it could be? Only bought the car 5 months ago, first potential proper issue I've had. Got it from Birds, so will give them a call tomorrow, just would be good to get other opinions (also don't really want to drive it far like that - 50 - 60 min drive to them).

Thanks in advance!

 

[SuperMoose2403]

Maybe valve cover gasket?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503210

 

[Ian83w]

Smoke off manifold were its burning off have u topped oil up lately and hadn't spilt any or over filled it have u

 

[SuperMoose2403]

Nope. Oil change done before I bought the car, so not related to recently topping up. But, would it be due to oil leaking from valve cover?

 

[Ian83w]

It could be mate I would keep a litre of oil on u just incase. but shouldn't imagine u will be losing loads at a time just keep eye on levels. I had one before on a 3 series every time I stopped a little oil would drop of the ledge were it was gathering and a puff of smoke would appear it use to annoy the hell out of me

 

[0l0dom0l0]

I've got a weep from my valve cover gasket and also my valve tonic motor I think. Have a look, put your finger on the plastic pipe that's wet and see what it is. If it's just a small bit of oil you've probably got a small weep from the cover. Clean it off with some brake cleaner and see where you get to/ how quickly it comes back.

Could try and get birds to do the valve cover under a warranty if you have one but my friend changed his on his 130i and he still had a leak so I haven't worried about it.

 

[SuperMoose2403]

Got it booked into a local garage to investigate on Tuesday morning...

If there is an issue, hopefully the warranty from Birds will cover it.

 

[SuperMoose2403]

The investigation last week confirmed it was indeed the rocker/valve cover gasket at fault.

The issue is that unfortunately it was not covered under the warranty that I had been provided. Birds did however say they'd pay half as a gesture of goodwill (at this point).

In the garage to get it sorted today and it was noted that oil had got into the spark plug holes too. They advised therefore they needed changing, else they'd probably fail within a few months (not sure if that's true or not, but ultimately I insisted on BMW plugs that they ordered in, so would have only made a tiny bit extra as the plugs were already removed for the other on-going work).

Car back today, and all seems fine with the very minimal and very busy drive home (been advised might smell for a little bit longer whilst any excess oil on the exhaust burns off). Will be discussing with Birds tomorrow if they'll do the honorable thing of paying half of the total bill still, or a lower amount.

Either way, just shows that getting work done on these engines can easily add up...

 

[Toed64]

I'm unsure about why oil would damage the plugs...I think you'll struggle to get Birds to contribute towards their cost.

 

[b.fab]

I seem to have the same problem. When driving for long periods smoke is coming into the car through the air vents which is extremely unpleasant.
I'm suspecting a leaking rocker gasket also. Does anyone know roughly how much I'm expected to cough up. :x

 

[0l0dom0l0]

I seem to have the same problem. When driving for long periods smoke is coming into the car through the air vents which is extremely unpleasant.
I'm suspecting a leaking rocker gasket also. Does anyone know roughly how much I'm expected to cough up. :x

Doing the job yourself or an indi?

 

[SuperMoose2403]

Part not too expensive, but labour is unfortunately as it will be a few hours worth of work. Off the top of my head it was around 350-400 (maybe a bit less) through an indy. - Did have a couple of minor other things done which is why I can't remember exact price.

 

[b.fab]

I was referring to a indy. £400 Ahh ok cheers for your replies.

 

[0l0dom0l0]

I was referring to a indy. £400 Ahh ok cheers for your replies.

Annoyingly it's a real faff to do it in the sense that it's not overly complicated but takes a while. The parts are about £50 from the dealer, the rest is labour.

There's a really good guide on youtube if you're handy with the spanners. Try N52 valve cover replacement or rocker cove replacement.