Video showing "clouds of smoke" from exhaust. Bad Valve Cover Gasket or Turbo Seal
#1
Members
Senior Members
Thread Starter
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey guys,
After installing my AR DPs I noticed the smoke coming from the exhaust like many other N54 owners. Although sometimes my smoking seemed excessive, the written descriptions from other members were right in-line with what I was experiencing: when coasting off throttle, in traffic, etc.
Although I never searched for a video with great effort, I never stumbled on one showing what it looks like. I happen to have one so I thought I would share.
Most of the stories I read linked the smoking to high-flowing DPs and when the oem units were reinstalled, the problems stopped. This makes sense as the cats would likely burn off a lot of engine vapor but it is extremely unlikely for it to be the root of the problem.
After further inspection I noticed a considerable amount of oil leaking from the charge side of my rear turbo which can be seen in the pics below, also with the photo of the *********, notice how the rear DP is much darker inside.
It looked like a bad turbo seal to my amateur eyes so last week I dropped my car off at BMW Fremont to milk the last few days of my CPO warranty (it ends today 7/30). So far the service adviser notified me that they have replaced the valve cover gasket, that was 2 days ago, so fingers crossed they smoking persists and I will get 2 new snails out of the visit; timing would be impeccable if it works out like this. I will update this when I get my car back.
Hope this helps someone!
Evan
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bjjtsw7WEFk/U9kpwBcxinI/AAAAAAAAEaw/rOAJJdTAuuc/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2302.JPG)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eVyp_eBVBTY/U9kpxAhyeFI/AAAAAAAAEbM/ocHAc-TofOk/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2305.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EFdHrOSI6Qo/U9kpxYyQM3I/AAAAAAAAEbE/pdsrFsCFsVU/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2306.JPG)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o-PI09jTQYE/U9kpyIQ2SLI/AAAAAAAAEbU/afywunFLDRk/w1215-h911-no/IMG_2309.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lLCxBSRWwoE/U9kpyu2-25I/AAAAAAAAEbc/8qgSuyB0ybA/w684-h911-no/IMG_2311.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yvPo2UTOzb0/U9kpzvci3LI/AAAAAAAAEb0/D9VpewPOARc/w684-h911-no/IMG_2318.JPG)
After installing my AR DPs I noticed the smoke coming from the exhaust like many other N54 owners. Although sometimes my smoking seemed excessive, the written descriptions from other members were right in-line with what I was experiencing: when coasting off throttle, in traffic, etc.
Although I never searched for a video with great effort, I never stumbled on one showing what it looks like. I happen to have one so I thought I would share.
Most of the stories I read linked the smoking to high-flowing DPs and when the oem units were reinstalled, the problems stopped. This makes sense as the cats would likely burn off a lot of engine vapor but it is extremely unlikely for it to be the root of the problem.
After further inspection I noticed a considerable amount of oil leaking from the charge side of my rear turbo which can be seen in the pics below, also with the photo of the *********, notice how the rear DP is much darker inside.
It looked like a bad turbo seal to my amateur eyes so last week I dropped my car off at BMW Fremont to milk the last few days of my CPO warranty (it ends today 7/30). So far the service adviser notified me that they have replaced the valve cover gasket, that was 2 days ago, so fingers crossed they smoking persists and I will get 2 new snails out of the visit; timing would be impeccable if it works out like this. I will update this when I get my car back.
Hope this helps someone!
Evan
Last edited by ucsbwsr; 07-30-2014 at 09:32 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thesalboy
Other BMW Models
2
04-08-2015 09:13 AM