Smoke pouring out from engine block

raptor_f22 · 08-04-2016, 03:46 AM

Hi all,

I had an acrid smell pouring into the cabin a couple of months ago, smelled like plastic was on fire. Realised it was coming from my car and pulled over, popped open the bonnet and saw smoke billowing out from the back of the engine block (it seemed)

Showed it to my indy, he thought it could just be the remnants of oil droplets at the back of the block giving off fumes as there was a leak previous to me buying the car.

Had a major service done a couple of weeks ago and the car is fine. It doesn't lose any noticeable quantity of oil (before or after the service). Today I opened the bonnet to check and again, there's smoke pouring out from the back of the engine block

Took a video - apologies in advance, didn't realise how fast I was moving when taking it. Quite hard to see in the light too. Any ideas on what it could be? Should I be concerned?

Thanks!

Sinbad666 · 08-04-2016, 03:55 AM

What does it smell of?

raptor_f22 · 08-04-2016, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinbad666

What does it smell of?

Plastic is the only way i can describe it - so oil I guess

tobeski · 08-04-2016, 08:37 AM

That looks like you've got oil buring off the downpipe or back of the block. Is there any evidence of oil leaking round that area? It doesn't need to be a lot to create smoke so you may not notice you oil level changing much.

First place I'd check is where the previous leak was coming from.

D3THR · 08-04-2016, 07:06 PM

Looks to me like the rocker cover gasket needs replacing had similar symptoms on my 330i where the oil was leaking on to the exhaust manifold causing to smoke and burning smell coming into the cabin.

Chappers 71 · 08-05-2016, 01:40 AM

I had a similar problem, turned out i had driven over a plastic bag and it had stuck to the front part of the exhaust.

raptor_f22 · 08-05-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I had a similar problem, turned out i had driven over a plastic bag and it had stuck to the front part of the exhaust.

Lol that's brilliant! I wish this was the case! I seem to have found the source... It's right by the back left near the air filter housing. Got a couple more videos of it today so will upload later. Taking it to the indy next week for a check

raptor_f22 · 08-05-2016, 12:45 PM

Chappers 71 · 08-05-2016, 06:47 PM

Hope it isn't anything to serious or expensive

Phil325i · 08-06-2016, 03:56 AM

You need to get your plastic engine cover off, otherwise you're just guessing. Plenty of how-to guides on the web...

raptor_f22 · 08-08-2016, 01:49 PM

All sorted - engine breather gasket seal had gone. Unit replaced another £60 spent

at least it was a simple enough fix

08-04-2016, 03:46 AM	#1
raptor_f22 Lieutenant 133 Rep 508 Posts Drives: E92 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Surrey/Hampshire UK iTrader: (0)	Smoke pouring out from engine block - now solved 08/08/16 Hi all, I had an acrid smell pouring into the cabin a couple of months ago, smelled like plastic was on fire. Realised it was coming from my car and pulled over, popped open the bonnet and saw smoke billowing out from the back of the engine block (it seemed) Showed it to my indy, he thought it could just be the remnants of oil droplets at the back of the block giving off fumes as there was a leak previous to me buying the car. Had a major service done a couple of weeks ago and the car is fine. It doesn't lose any noticeable quantity of oil (before or after the service). Today I opened the bonnet to check and again, there's smoke pouring out from the back of the engine block Took a video - apologies in advance, didn't realise how fast I was moving when taking it. Quite hard to see in the light too. Any ideas on what it could be? Should I be concerned? Thanks! Last edited by raptor_f22; 08-09-2016 at 04:54 AM..
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08-04-2016, 03:55 AM	#2
Sinbad666 Private First Class 9 Rep 125 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i N54 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Manchester iTrader: (1)	What does it smell of?
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08-04-2016, 08:37 AM	#4
tobeski Private 9 Rep 56 Posts Drives: BMW E93 330D M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	That looks like you've got oil buring off the downpipe or back of the block. Is there any evidence of oil leaking round that area? It doesn't need to be a lot to create smoke so you may not notice you oil level changing much. First place I'd check is where the previous leak was coming from.
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08-04-2016, 07:06 PM	#5
D3THR Enlisted Member 8 Rep 43 Posts Drives: F30 335i, E90 330i, E36 328 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Looks to me like the rocker cover gasket needs replacing had similar symptoms on my 330i where the oil was leaking on to the exhaust manifold causing to smoke and burning smell coming into the cabin.
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08-05-2016, 01:40 AM	#6
Chappers 71 Major General 5972 Rep 5,722 Posts Drives: Beige G31 540ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [7.40] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	I had a similar problem, turned out i had driven over a plastic bag and it had stuck to the front part of the exhaust.
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08-05-2016, 12:45 PM	#8
raptor_f22 Lieutenant 133 Rep 508 Posts Drives: E92 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Surrey/Hampshire UK iTrader: (0)
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08-05-2016, 06:47 PM	#9
Chappers 71 Major General 5972 Rep 5,722 Posts Drives: Beige G31 540ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [7.40] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	Hope it isn't anything to serious or expensive __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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08-06-2016, 03:56 AM	#10
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	You need to get your plastic engine cover off, otherwise you're just guessing. Plenty of how-to guides on the web... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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08-08-2016, 01:49 PM	#11
raptor_f22 Lieutenant 133 Rep 508 Posts Drives: E92 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Surrey/Hampshire UK iTrader: (0)	All sorted - engine breather gasket seal had gone. Unit replaced another £60 spent at least it was a simple enough fix
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