X5 e53 white smoke

[jabstick420]

Just acquired an X5 2006 4.4. First post here. My daily driver is an '83 w123 merc, turbodiesel.

Having the dreaded white smoke and hoping to get some assistance. Been reading a lot about this. It seems that ccv and valve seals are the two most common opinions. I am not yet convinced its the valve seals.

Symptoms:

- no smoke on start-up
- very little smoke at warm idle, barely noticeable if any
- if car is in "P" and the throttle is slammed, a plume of white smoke
- no error codes
- car drives great, lots of power
- if sitting in traffic and give it moderate acceleration, smoke is visible

I've changed the CCV membranes on both sides (bosch), also changed the two insulated hoses (both old style). Is there a way to clean the CCV passages with the membranes off?

also did a Liqui Moly engine flush. Oil change right before and right after flush.
filled with mobil 1.

Haven't tried any fuel treatments yet, but was looking at CRC, seafoam, or liquid moly valve clean

If there is significant build up in the valve covers, could this be the culprit?

Thanks for reading. Hope someone can chime in about this.

[Pierce330]

Do you have a good indy?

[crystalworks]

Valve stem seals. What weight oil did you use?

You could try switching to a heavier warm weight oil (5w-40/50) depending on your climate. Also could add an oil treatment to see if that helps. Some (including myself) have had good results doing the above.

[Pierce330]

Is valve stem seals only caused by oil weight or is it also caused by extended idling?

[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.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Pierce330

Is valve stem seals only caused by oil weight or is it also caused by extended idling?

It's my understanding that the original VSS used by BMW used a rubber that broke down and caused oil to leak past into the combustion chamber which causes the smoke. Especially during extended periods of idling.

Switching to a heavier oil and using an oil treatment/conditioner just attempts to minimize the amount of oil slipping past the seals. That's the theory anyway, and has worked for some here.

[jabstick420]

using mobil 1 5w-30

flushed with liquid moly and changed oil again.

the car was previously on the bmw oil change schedule

[jabstick420]

Originally Posted by Pierce330

Do you have a good indy?

I do not. but I've been learning. this however, may be too much for my amateur skill level

[jabstick420]

also concerned about ruining the cats and failing smog.

the embarrassment of smoke I can live with

[crystalworks]

Just go with the method x5only described and see how it goes. It's cheap to try and could buy you a bunch of time regarding the eventual need to repair the VSS problem. I don't know how much oil it would take to damage the cats, but I don't remember hearing anyone complain of having to replace cats as a result of VSS failure.