you have the i6 engine. I think your CCV is toast - the white smoke is usually the tell-tale sign of a CCV going downhill on these engines. The next thing is the VCG will rupture, and you will have oil leaks around it (best case scenario). Worst case is oil ingestion in the engine with hydrolocking it.

:iagree: Definitely do the PM on that crank case ventilation system. I'd expect to find issues with it considering your mileage on the vehicle. My first one lasted 178,000 miles, but I'm 70% highway miles, and located in Texas so I don't experience as much cold weather internal condensation.

My wife's 325i needed servicing at 98,000 miles, but her driving is 70% city.

2002 X5 3.0 242,000 miles
2004 325i 107,000 miles

Since it would take a large amount of oil, all at once, to hydrolock an engine, I personally, would not be concerned.

thanks.. if and when this system begins to go out, will this trigger a CEL? noises or certain symptoms ?

Mine did trip the CEL, but there was no noticeable effect to the engine running characteristics. There are some horror stories, generally from drivers in northern climates, where all the crankcase oil was pulled through the intake in a matter of 20-30 seconds, but I don't know if they ignored any early symptoms before it happened.

2002 X5 3.0 242,000 miles
2004 325i 107,000 miles

horror stories indeed. Mine is smoking intermittently only from hood only with a burnt smell. Mech said usually CCV will trigger CEL, i do not have any smoke coming out of exhaust besides the usual cold start in morning condensation.
The mech will deff check the ccv out regardless.
THanks again fellas, appreciate ur time chiming in. The X is getting worked on now, so i'll report back after she's done under the hood. :thumbup:

With the M54 engine I would be.
I dodged that bullet by a hair early 2008. Ask me how I know.

Can you explain how a CCV problem would ever empty the crankcase of oil? I can see a plugged CCV system or the CCV valve locked in the closed would cause reverse blow by that could blow a seal. That would cause a leak not a garden hose stream nor would that be into the intake.

Read this. Pay attention to mode 3,4 and 5

Oil Hydrolock;

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZGUk6w...%3DtZGUk6w_y6A