[Nordic335M3]

Hey all

pulled the newly installed plugs today , because I have heavy oil burning exhaust smoke.

and stumbling idle..

what do you think?... Number 2 looks black and wet to me.. is this the cause?

[335NJ]

Valve cover gasket leak?

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Valve cover gasket leak?

would that cause wet black sparkplug tip and heavy smoking?..


oh and tried opening oil cap with engine on.. didnt cause any change in idling, nor did I feel any vacuum...

my worst fear is worn piston rings...

I kinda hope its just the injector on that nr 2....

have no codes btw...

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Try smelling number 2, does it smell like gas or oil?

(After re-reading that, it sounds funny LOL). But in all seriousness, smell it.

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Try smelling number 2, does it smell like gas or oil?

(After re-reading that, it sounds funny LOL). But in all seriousness, smell it.

what would either smell then indicate?.. fuel=injector, oil= ?

[07chupacabra]

You didn't smash the N54 and S65 together did you ? I see you have a 335i M3 coupe. Just wanted to make sure.

Oil would indicate Valve Cover Gasket. How many miles do you have on the car? Oil is most likely from the VCG although it could be other things.

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by 07chupacabra

You didn't smash the N54 and S65 together did you ? I see you have a 335i M3 coupe. Just wanted to make sure.

Oil would indicate Valve Cover Gasket. How many miles do you have on the car? Oil is most likely from the VCG although it could be other things.

just E92 with M3 exterior

its a high milage engine.. would be nice if it was only VCG.. but I dont get how its related to oil getting in the cylinder ..anyway will change it though, and the PCV hose.. have RB PCV valve installed..

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Nordic335M3

what would either smell then indicate?.. fuel=injector, oil= ?

Oil could be an indication of the valve cover gasket leaking usually.

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Oil could be an indication of the valve cover gasket leaking usually.

wouldnt that give oil leak/vapor in the engine room?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Nordic335M3

wouldnt that give oil leak/vapor in the engine room?

Not necessarily, could just be leaking between cylinders. It's a common failure point.

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Not necessarily, could just be leaking between cylinders. It's a common failure point.

oh I see.. I really hope you are right..

worn piston rings would really make it a rainy day..

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Nordic335M3

oh I see.. I really hope you are right..

worn piston rings would really make it a rainy day..

Well you can check that with a compression test kit. You can find one of those at any auto parts retailer usually.

Unless you've done something deserving of a worn piston ring, it would be very unlikely.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Try smelling number 2, does it smell like gas or oil?

(After re-reading that, it sounds funny LOL). But in all seriousness, smell it.

Gross

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Well you can check that with a compression test kit. You can find one of those at any auto parts retailer usually.

Unless you've done something deserving of a worn piston ring, it would be very unlikely.

Im having a compression test done monday morning.. fingers crossed

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Gross

a smelly nr 2 is not uncommon

[07chupacabra]

Originally Posted by Nordic335M3

just E92 with M3 exterior

its a high milage engine.. would be nice if it was only VCG.. but I dont get how its related to oil getting in the cylinder ..anyway will change it though, and the PCV hose.. have RB PCV valve installed..

I had the RB PCV valve installed recently too, among quite a few other things and I feel like I'm losing oil at 2-3x the original rate.

[Nordic335M3]

Originally Posted by 07chupacabra

I had the RB PCV valve installed recently too, among quite a few other things and I feel like I'm losing oil at 2-3x the original rate.

really??... that sucks... have you changed your VCG ?

mayby I should try swapping out the RB PCV again, just to see if there is any change...

[07chupacabra]

I changed the VCG and VANOS around 35k. OFGH, tie rod, Walnut, turbos, walnut blasting & RB PCV valve around 48k. Since those last 4 things were done together it's a bit hard to determine the cause. I havn't checked for leaks around the turbos yet though, not sure if the dealer replaced the turbo oil lines. I checked my plugs the past weekend (currently at 55k) and #2 looked just like yours and was reeked of fuel. Also right around this time the power steering return lines were just done as well as front control arm bushings.

Previously when my VCG went bad I had oil in spark plug well #3. Hope that helps. I'm doing my injectors today or tomorrow if the rain lets up.

[924er]

Originally Posted by 07chupacabra

I changed the VCG and VANOS around 35k. OFGH, tie rod, Walnut, turbos, walnut blasting & RB PCV valve around 48k. Since those last 4 things were done together it's a bit hard to determine the cause. I havn't checked for leaks around the turbos yet though, not sure if the dealer replaced the turbo oil lines. I checked my plugs the past weekend (currently at 55k) and #2 looked just like yours and was reeked of fuel. Also right around this time the power steering return lines were just done as well as front control arm bushings.

Previously when my VCG went bad I had oil in spark plug well #3. Hope that helps. I'm doing my injectors today or tomorrow if the rain lets up.

If it reeks with fuel that means your injector is leaking bro. Let us know how that goes I'm sure that will cure the problem. Good luck!

[AndyW]

My #2 plug looked like this when I replaced plugs as well...getting close to just pulling the trigger and replacing all the injectors and VCG. Car has 102K.

[Nordic335M3]

bummer the compression tester didnt fit the 12 mm plugs...

Got a new valvecover gasket & PVC hose, so is changing that tomorrow...

man I hope it stops smoking like a SOB after that...hate seeing that huge cloud comming out the rear..

(but Not sure how leaky valvecover can cause oil leak into the cylinder...?)

[Nordic335M3]

ah just realised someone was misinforming me.. oil from leaky valve cover gasket, does NOT get into the cylinder to foul up plug tips....it can leak down on the outside, down the plug well...

:-/