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E46 3 Series Smoke

  • 10-04-2012 2:19pm
    #1
    jamieh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,073 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I have a 2005 3 series (320d).

    While driving earlier I noticed a bad smell, smelt like burning oil, presumed it was outisde, all of a sudden a small bit of smoke started coming from the engine and through the vents inside.

    I stopped immediately (luckily was outside work), and turned the car off.

    From research online it seems to be the Valve Cover Gasket.

    Going by forums, it doesn't seem to be a major issue, would it be ok to drive for awhile this evening?

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    Wheelnut
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 977 ✭✭✭Wheelnut


    jamieh wrote: »
    ..., would it be ok to drive for awhile this evening?

    Thanks!

    No. (or have you done so already?)

    How many reasons do you want not to drive it?

    1) it's got smoke coming in to the cabin... risk to lungs and you might conk out.

    2) If there's oily smoke then the oil is obviously getting on to a hot exhaust... risk of fire.

    3) Valve cover gaskets generally don't fail suddenly like that, it could be a turbo fault... risk of diesel runaway.

    Do you need any more reasons?


  • #3
    Onwardandupwar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 130 ✭✭Onwardandupwar


    Coming from the BMW back round myself it could be one of 3 common things wrong.frist is a blocked breather valve forcing oil out on the gaskets. Second is the rocker cover gasket do give trouble leaking and the third is your turbo could either be leaking oil or about to fail both is common either way every problem listed ends up with oil dripping onto the exhaust and causing the smell.one thing I will advise u is to have the car checked now to at least make sure it's not the turbo as if it is it will be costly.


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