Lots of black smoke HELP

Damon0403 · #1 05-16-2013, 02:32 PM

Hi all I'm new to this forum but really need some help
Since I bought my x5 it has been nothing but trouble it chucks out so much black smoke when accelerating hard I have cleaned egr and crank breather and smoke stops for about a week I have got the new vortex style crank breather but don't think I should fit until I find what causing the problem could it be the turbo if so does any one have a workshop manual or any pics as to replacing and checking and cleaning inter cooler and associated breathers and pipes
Also passenger door will not open it locks and unlocks but won't open
Any ideas please

Cheers damon

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TerminatorX5 · #2 05-16-2013, 02:39 PM

damon, i would guess, it is a diesel and it is an E53... or... is it?
maybe it is an E70... i still guess, it is a diesel, because of black smoke, but, it could be a 4.8iS... or just 4.8i...
and it is probably 1999 model... with about 100,000 miles... or kms... or maybe 2005 model, with 25K miles

give us more details to avoid your post being ignored... give us the body style, the year, the mileage, the type of the engine, any past history that might be relevant to this case... if you want a coherent technical response...

based on what you gave us, we can only say how sorry we are about the smoke...

once we have specific technical info, somebody will be able to help...

Damon0403 · #3 05-16-2013, 02:55 PM

Sorry about that its a e53 3.0d sport 178000 on the clock 2001 model and a royal pain in the arse that needs pushing of a cliff but I love it

TwinTurboGTR · #4 05-16-2013, 04:13 PM

Not many here have too much experience with E53 Diesels because most of us are State side. I am assuming you are in the UK. So with that said, just have to go off of regular stuff. Black smoke from a diesel turbo usually means your turbo is cooked. Oil is leaking and is being shot out the back. but again, it could be other things as well, but with that many miles, normally is when a turbo will begin to fail Depending on how hard it was driven in the past, if the last owner did hard pulls with it and then shut it off immediately, oil that sits in the turbo begins to burn.

As for the door, not working, sounds like a door handle carrier is broken. Hopefully other UK'ers will chime in to help you out.

Damon0403 · #5 05-16-2013, 04:15 PM

Can I also add if it helps I'm not losing oil

TwinTurboGTR · #6 05-16-2013, 04:37 PM

Ok wait. I am wrong... I keep forgetting it is diesel. Black smoke from a diesel is caused from unburned fuel. not oil.

Now when does the smoke present itself? upon start up, at idle, when you hit the pedal? Does the engine idle normal? When you step on the throttle, does the X react properly or does it stumble?
Let us know.

bcredliner · #7 05-16-2013, 04:53 PM

3.0D owners have had lots of problems with the turbos--worn out--oil starvation, actuator failure, Oil hoses get gummed up, bad vortex breather--etc. Do you have a loss of performance under hard acceleration and is that when you see the black smoke?

rb0135 · #8 05-16-2013, 10:02 PM

From an E53 Diesel driver (2005), if it is plumes of white smoke, then it is the Turbo or a bit of white smoke, oil burning.

Black smoke that just hangs in the air once you take off, is over-fuelling, and I am going through the same thing at the moment once the car is hot. Mine once hot also sounds more diesely, vibrates more and hasn't got the get up and go. it's not the Turbo as this was just replaced and the issue was there before the replacement.

When it is cold, no smoke at all and all the power is there, so it is pointing to a sensor OR gummed up/not working EGR Valve, failed MAF (this has been replaced), split Inlet manifold (they are plastic would you believe. mine are fine), or possibly blocked pipes as mentioned, etc.

I change the air charge temp sensor, but still an issue.

There are 3-4 sensors on the Diesel that is monitored and the Fuel/Air mixture is adjusted accordingly.

I have the upgraded Diesel to the one you have, but same principals.

I have this problem for over 2 years, changed nearly everything associated with Fuel/Air and still a problem. However, it is getting worse now that I changed the Charge Air Sensor.

Mine is getting looked at next week by Diesel Specialists. Gave up on my local Indy.

Rob

rb0135 · #9 05-16-2013, 10:06 PM

Also to mention, you Oil breather might be an issue and would get that checked first (bcredliner mentioned this).

You have the early version E53 (pre facelift) which needs to be replaced every 20000km.

They have a paper element that disintegrates and can cause heavy black smoke.

Get it changed to the newer vortex type (I have that) and you might see a vast improvement and as it is all plastic, it wont need to be changed after that (well, not every 20000km)

Damon0403 · #10 05-17-2013, 02:32 AM

Thanks for all the replies the car smokes black all the time just not as noticeable under light acceleration but if accelerate hard then you are unable to see behind for the smoke ( no exaggeration ) I have the vortex breather just didn't want to fit until problem sorted
It still pulls away as it should tick over seems to hunt a bit ( fluctuate) i can hear the turbo spool under light acceleration and it sounds normal but under hard acceleration it sounds rough

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