Blue smoke on extended idle. 2006 4.8is.
 

I have a 2006 BMW X5 4.8is. I have been having the blue smoke on extended idle issue. I am pretty sure it is the valve stem seals, but wanted to make sure that I have correctly diagnosed the issue before taking the plunge.

I usually see the smoke when I am in stop and go traffic, or going through a drive thru. When I am finally able to give the vehicle a lot of throttle, it spits out a big plume of smoke. I do not notice smoking while driving down the road. I do not have smoke when I first start the vehicle in the morning, or any time it's been just sitting turned off.

I tried to get the smoke to start yesterday in my garage, but it wouldn't smoke unless I got in the car and moved it around a little big in a stop and go fashion. But once I got it smoking it smoked real well.

The lack of smoke when the car starts makes me wonder if it really is the valve stem seals. I have always been under the impression that bad valve stem seals would cause a plume of smoke upon start up, but then once the car warmed up would stop smoking.

I already changed the PCV valves and it didn't change anything, and there was nothing wrong with the valves I replaced. Any help would be appreciated. I read in another forum of someone having the same problem and replaced a bunch of seals and gaskets under the valve covers, didn't replace the valve stem seals, and it fixed his problem.

I'd like to avoid pulling the cams if I can.

You can also do a smoke test which is leave it running for about 15 minutes dont touch it and then mash the gas to make sure.

But yeah i have the same problem and im pretty sure its valve seals.

I'm sure it would smoke if I did as you suggest. However, on many of the forums I have read, others are complaining that the vehicle only smokes on start up, but is ok after the vehicle warms up. My problem is exactly the opposite, it only smokes after it has warmed up. I think that is the main concern I have when it comes to any doubt that the valve stem seals are the problem.

I have the same issue, after the cars warmed up and sitting at a longer stoplight or something ill release a plume of smoke once my rpms go past 1.5-2k.

I did not check my ccvs yet but im going to go down to the dealer by my house tommorrow and see if they have the repair kit in stock cause i dont feel like waiting, if its priced around what they are online ill get them but if its $20 more or something im going to order online.

Edit: pezho405 do you consume more oil then normal? If so how much have you been adding/miles?

From your picture it appears we have identical cars, and from your description of your problem it sounds like our problems are identical too. Replacing the PCV valve is simple and cheap. You might want to try that first, but if your problem is like mine then it probably won't help.

try changing your oil from 5w-30 .....to ...5w-20.....

I sadly dont keep track of the miles when i top it off but i usually have had to add about a Liter (Quart) of it not too often, but it seems more often than i should be adding more.

I converted my Car to KM so maybe every 1000 km, thats a rough guess though.

Valve stem seals generally cause smoke on start up and for the first little while of operation after having been switched off for a period due to leak down overnight etc.......

I'd be starting with PCV first too.

So thats roughly 600miles give or take, sounds about right for what mines doing too.

How long has yours been up to this pezho405? Are you noticing any bad effects? Mine burns the oil and lets out that plume of smoke but other then that it feels like its full steam ahead when you floor it.

Edit: Do any of you know if the 06 4.8is's have the ccv caps with nipples for the vaccum tube or are they "nippleless", ive seen 2 versions under same part #, im asking because it would save me time of taking the covers off tommorow just to check before i go up to the dealer to see if they have them.

I had the same problem and it was the value seals, I had them replaced over a year now and no problem since them