Blue smoke on extended idle. 2006 4.8is.

[4.8isX5]

If you read above i clearly wrote up half a page, and posted picture and video of before and after....


i got 2 of these:

Universal High Quality Capacity Billet Aluminum Oil Catch Reservoir Tank Can Red | eBay

looks like they are in red now, look around on ebay to find the black ones if your picky.

[A B Able Truck]

It shouldn't matter if you want to use 1 or 2 catch cans. The OEM hoes(s) are connected to the same vacuum source and the CCVs are sharing the same crankcase area. It would be interesting to note if 1 side passes more oil then the other with 2 cans. I think it is hit or miss as to if the valves close at all. There's 2 CCVs (springs) and the diaphragms have to counter the crankcase pressure "your" engine produces. That's also assuming "your" engine maintains the correct vacuum which is regulated by the valvetronics and throttle valve.

[bcredliner]

I have read through all the posts. Most of the time the smoking problem has been reduced to an 'acceptable' level but has not been eliminated, and, most of the fixes don't last very long or there is not enough history to know that they will. Is that correct?

Does anyone feel confident enough to post a list of sequential steps that should eliminate or reduce the smoking to an 'acceptable' level at some point in the steps?

It is my understanding the dealer solution is to install new valve stem seals and that alone eliminates the problem?

Or, does the dealer always do other modifications or replace other parts that are contributing to the smoke or the root cause rather than valve stem seals needing replacement at all?

I feel that if my X did not smoke when it was new, any level of smoking means something is still wrong. I.E--if I see any vehicle smoking on the street, I don't see that many, my conclusion is something is wrong, especially if it is an X5.

[A B Able Truck]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I have read through all the posts. Most of the time the smoking problem has been reduced to an 'acceptable' level but has not been eliminated, and, most of the fixes don't last very long or there is not enough history to know that they will. Is that correct?
Does anyone feel confident enough to post a list of sequential steps that should eliminate or reduce the smoking to an 'acceptable' level at some point in the steps?
It is my understanding the dealer solution is to install new valve stem seals and that alone eliminates the problem?
Or, does the dealer always do other modifications or replace other parts that are contributing to the smoke or the root cause rather than valve stem seals needing replacement at all?
I feel that if my X did not smoke when it was new, any level of smoking means something is still wrong. I.E--if I see any vehicle smoking on the street, I don't see that many, my conclusion is something is wrong, especially if it is an X5.

My next step is to see if the vacuum is at specs at different loads & speeds. At new, everything is adjusted correctly, is clean & new - so no smoke - but people still complain about excessive oil consumption. I've read a few posts that state they've replaced the stem seals and the smoke stopped. Others say they replaced the stem seals and it still smoked. The only difference may be that the ones that quit smoking may have washed their valve covers (these have built in labyrinth oil separators).

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by A B Able Truck

My next step is to see if the vacuum is at specs at different loads & speeds. At new, everything is adjusted correctly, is clean & new - so no smoke - but people still complain about excessive oil consumption. I've read a few posts that state they've replaced the stem seals and the smoke stopped. Others say they replaced the stem seals and it still smoked. The only difference may be that the ones that quit smoking may have washed their valve covers (these have built in labyrinth oil separators).

That is my point, since there doesn't seem to be one sure thing that will eliminate smoke, if you have smoke what should one do first-second -third etc.,
in descending order of the easiest and/or least expensive fix first.

Another unanswered question--why is it only some and not all that start smoking?

[A B Able Truck]

I'm still experimenting -
Even after I installed pre & after filter screens in the valve covers (CCVs), I'm still getting a burst of oil making it's way to the intake at startup. When the valvetronics & throttle valve kick in - it settles down. Not sure what it's doing while driving. The gold thing in the middle of the clear tube is an old style brass fuel filter (Carquest # 86050). The oil didn't make it past it on startup.

[bcredliner]

I am very interested hearing about your progress as I think you have been documenting each step very well and making progress toward a fix without having to replace stem seals.

[A B Able Truck]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I am very interested hearing about your progress as I think you have been documenting each step very well and making progress toward a fix without having to replace stem seals.

Here's a link to a collection of pictures (albums) with brief explanations related to my findings on different issues.

Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - A B Able Truck's Albums

[bpowa]

Well. I wonder if there is any input from a bmw mechanic that replaced the valve seals.

Did they clean out the valve cover?

We're other hoses replaced?

Was there leaks anywhere else before removing everything?

I'm sure there are other leaks. Today I replaced the spark plugs. I'm glad to see that none of them were wet. They actually looked great and normal. I'm also glad its just one puff of smoke. That is not thick. I can live with it. I'm also curious after the catch can installs are there still oil going to the throttle body....

[bcredliner]

What I am most interested in is--if the causes are clearly identified than preventatives could perhaps be put in place before it happens. That way the damage to other parts could be eliminated.