White Smoke from Ext.

I have a  problem on a 525 SE24v Est. 1994 103K miles which I have owned for 3years

For two years I have had excessive white smoke which rises up from the exhaust.

BWM have replaced the control box, air sensors x 2, and looked at the carb. As the problem tends to be intermitant they have never sorted it out (but provided me with some big bills)

If the car goes for a 100 mile trip it clears for a while but slowly comes back on short runs.

Any clues would be gratefully received

Mr Timothy Snee

Don't think its anything to worry about.

My 3.0i 24 v Vauxhall Senator used the 'steam' from the exhaust particularly in the winter months when the water vapour in the exhaust condenses quickly when it leaves the tail pipe. Cooling system was tip top as I had replaced most of the bits in it and it never had oil and water mixing so I knew it wasn't anything else. 

Once up an running on the Mways there was no steam, bit of smoke maybe when I used to kickdown at 60 to hit 90!  It would return to 'steam' on leaving the motorway purely because the exhaust gases had dropped in temperature and the water vapour can once again condense out which is the white gas that you see. 

Big engines 2.5 l and 3.0 l up produce loads of exhaust gases due to their volume and when cold its more obvious purely as there is so much exhaust gas.

As Dave says keep an on the oil and water levels to make sure.  Keep an eye on the fuel consumption too incase it is running rich.

Andrew

I'll add to it!!   my 525i Sport does this too!!! forget about it!! it's white smoke and steam out the front you want to worry about!! (unless it's turbo'd then worry about smoke from exhaust!)

i always wonder why all the cars in my line of traffic are blowing clear and i'm puffing out steam!!  but then i'd have only driven 200 yards when i think that, and it goes away!! 

mine too! 123k, clears when hot, and i just had it serviced with a glowing engine report.

full steam ahead cap'n ;)

 

Thanks for all your replys, (mot this week wish me luck).

again THANKS

Timmo

Aaaagh MoT... the three dreaded letters. Sure it will be fine, the tester is only allowed to test the emissions when the temperature gauge has passed into the normal operating region by which time all traces of white smoke will long since have gone.

Just to check the smoke issue I went out about an hour ago and started the 525e, hasn't been started in a few days and its freezing outside tonight. Sure enough there was a cloud of white smoke from behind blowing over the car with the breeze, stood out of the car and gave a few healthy stabs on the throttle and watched the great plumes of white smoke rise from the rear. Engine is a-ok as it was given a full once over by a specialist a week and a half ago. All the best for the MoT.