X5 e53 white smoke

[X5only]

Originally Posted by jabstick420

...
the embarrassment of smoke I can live with

Then I suspect the smoke is not much. Wait 'till you have huge plumes of smoke filling up an intersection and other drivers desperately closing their windows and waiting for you to move far ahead before following you

[bcredliner]

the 4.8 is known for your symptoms when valve stem seals are bad. 4.4 smoke is more likely to be ccv problem especially in cold country. The most common course of action anywhere is a complete overhaul of the ccv system, using the cold weather version for locations like yours. That is because of how much damage a failed CCV system can do to the engine.

As mentioned, sometimes oil weight adjustments will reduce the smoke or even eliminate it for a period of time. The seals get brittle over time. I don't know of anything that will reverse that characteristic.

Since the oil is going into the combustion chamber your concern for downstream problems, not limited to but certainly including the cats, is justified.

[06 X5]

Originally Posted by X5only

Plumes of smoke after extended idle at traffic lights and traffic jams? Does the smoke stink of burnt oil? If so, then that's a classic symptom of valve stem seals leaking. My '05 4.4 has the exact symptoms and I'm not going to spend more than 50% value of the vehicle to have it fixed. I heard in this forum about a "temporary fix" and implemented it- shell rotella t6 5w40+2 quarts lucas engine oil stop leaks + 8 oz atp205 seals rejuventor. Not a puff of smoke and I'll fix it myself when I get time and correct tools. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my ride and no embarrassing plumes of smoke. I have not noticed any detrimental side effects to engine performance thus far (12k miles). Last oil change looked good. After all, these engines are not made of gold, diamonds and silver so I'm not worried.

Do you use this mixture for each oil change, or was that a one time potion that you used?

[jabstick420]

aside from oil additives, has anybody tried cleaning the oil passageways?

I've read that these cars have the oil separator incorporated into the valve covers...

also read about seafoaming, although I'm not sure how that would be done on this vehicle.

apparently the brake booster line has its own vacuum pump?

just wanting to try everything short of changing the valve seals...

[Pierce330]

@bcredliner makes a great point. Overhauling the CCV is also cheaper than replacing the valve stem seals...

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by jabstick420

using mobil 1 5w-30

flushed with liquid moly and changed oil again.

the car was previously on the bmw oil change schedule

Hopefully it was the 10,000 miles between oil change and not the original 15,000 miles between oil change. If it is the valve seals, I would try ATP205.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by 06 X5

Do you use this mixture for each oil change, or was that a one time potion that you used?

Each oil change (7k miles interval). I tried to be the smart arse in my last oil change (switched to Valvoline 5w30 synthetic with seal conditioner and no lucas additive etc) and the stinky smoking immediately came back with a vengeance! I reverted to the magic formula and all was fine in just a few miles of driving. It's amazing actually and I don't care for the long term effects to the engine, if any. We tend to treat these engines with kid gloves but they're just machines like any other. Lucas products has great reviews and no wonder it worked and my case is a great testament to that. I have not read anywhere where using lucas made the engine blow up or suddenly fly your car into the ocean. The only complaints I've read is that it did not work, but I think that would be in a case where the seals are completely deteriorated, or the product was not used per instructions. It's important to follow the instructions posted on the bottle. As for me I started using it soon after my car started emitting the stinky burn oil smell smoke.

[jabstick420]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

the 4.8 is known for your symptoms when valve stem seals are bad. 4.4 smoke is more likely to be ccv problem especially in cold country. The most common course of action anywhere is a complete overhaul of the ccv system, using the cold weather version for locations like yours. That is because of how much damage a failed CCV system can do to the engine.

As mentioned, sometimes oil weight adjustments will reduce the smoke or even eliminate it for a period of time. The seals get brittle over time. I don't know of anything that will reverse that characteristic.

Since the oil is going into the combustion chamber your concern for downstream problems, not limited to but certainly including the cats, is justified.

so what exactly does that entail?
I've changed out the orange membranes, and the two insulated hoses.
what else does the ccv system contain?

[g300d]

Ugh, sounds like valve seals, hope you get it resolved without surgery with the good advice here.

How's your OM617? The last 4 characters of my screen name is from my previous W123 and W124.

[jabstick420]

Originally Posted by g300d

Ugh, sounds like valve seals, hope you get it resolved without surgery with the good advice here.

How's your OM617? The last 4 characters of my screen name is from my previous W123 and W124.

The 300CD is doing well. My daily driver. Great car to work on. It seems that the X5 will be just a bit more sophisticated.