4.8is Blue Oil cloud/smoke fix!

[A B Able Truck]

Originally Posted by Porschesolutions

Hi guys, any update to this topic? I too just this am have noticed the puffs of smoke after idling for a short/long while.

Oil consumption was excessive - It smoked - I was told I needed valve stem seals

My car (didn't pass smog & couldn't renew registration);
2006 BMW 550I – 92,000 miles – V8 (N62TU)
Smokes (white/gray/blue) – failed visual – Smog Report (15 mph – HC ppm Measured 91 – Max. 49)

Symptoms & history;
It used oil (approx. 1 qt. per 2-3 tanks) and I read the history of V8 valve stem problems (internet & local shop research), I was about to have the valve guide/stem seals replaced or drive the car off a cliff. But it didn’t have the classic symptoms of defective valve stem seals/guides. It also ran like a rapped ape (old school for ran great). I’m a heavy truck mechanic with old school car experience (35 years). The plugs were clean and the exhaust smelled funny, also the exhaust dripped clean water no matter how hot or long it ran. I pulled the intake throttle housing and noticed excessive oil. Replaced the (ccv) diaphragms in the valve covers (torn) & read up on the cyclone oil separator (like a Dyson vacuum). Because I wasn’t happy with the oil consumption & residue in the intake, I fabricated a Scotch Brite pad filter with screen for each valve cover vent outlet. As well as a pre-filter for the CCV diaphragm base. This cleaned out the oil residue and has greatly reduced oil consumption while allowing crankcase recirculation. I pulled the spark plugs and stuck a camera down a couple plug holes. Yes, the top of the pistons were loaded with carbon. So I sprayed Sea Foam in each plug hole, followed by a shot of low pressure shop air to help spread it around the piston. I let it sit for an hour or so, then reinstalled the plugs. I topped off the fuel tank with high octane and added 12 oz. of CRC Fuel System Cleaner (part #05063) to the tank. 100 miles later and what a difference – no smoke or water dipping out the exhaust after warm up.

****This note was copied from a BMW Technical Training manual
Note: If the exhaust system produces blue smoke, it is necessary to check whether the engine is also drawing oil into the combustion chamber through the crankcase breather, which suggest that there is a fault in the area of the crankcase breather. A clear sign of a problem is an oiled up clean-air pipe.

****The Variable Intake Manifold acts like a giant catch can. Pull the Intake Throttle and suck out any oil that may have accumulated in the base.

****The valve stem diameter was increase at a production point (you would assume) to remedy the guide problem. I don't believe BMW would use inferior stem seals after this change, if ever. My vehicle has now passed smog test & no longer smokes. I did have to run the proceedure twice before it lowerd the HC levels within specs. I will use the Chevron fuel treatment from this point on. (See attached TSB) It cost me $200 to fix compared to the $4000 > $5000 I was told it would take for a guide/seal replacement.
SI B 13 05 06 & SI B 13 01 07

**** Day 50 - 1500+ miles later NO smoke or excessive water from tailpipe - It also only used 1/2 qt. oil **** I changed to a 5w-40 synthetic
For those of you seasoned mechanics replacing guides & seals - This worked for me - my vehicle - my situation - but I believe you should diagnose each vehicle on an individual basis - Regardless of BMW guide/valve stem history.

[Porschesolutions]

Good points indeed. I need to look to see what people are doing with a better breathing system for the 4.8is X5's.....my particular vehicle/problem.

Mark

[craigatkinson]

I'm still working on the smoking issue. I finally took off the air tube to my intake today, and took a photo inside of the intake. I was looking for the oil in the intake issue many have been talking about. I am posting the photo here. I don't see any oil to speak of, I mean there is some black, but no oil. Does this mean that the issue is not caused by vacuum issues? Or could it still be a vacuum issue?

I hope this link works

https://plus.google.com/u/0/104640325132930366002/posts

Update: That didn't work, hopefully this link will work.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...25132930366002