x5 3.0d smoke on start up

[the shreksta]

hey guys

i picked up a 3.0d x5 2004 yesterday with 108k on the clock and full bmw history. when i started the car this morning there was a bit of smoke,it didnt struggle to tick over or anything just a puff of smoke,when revved it smoked a little aswell. when driving there was no smoke even under hard acceleration.

is this normal?

im coming from a bhp subaru background so any smoke i saw was BAD lol

is it just something i need to get used to with it being a diesel?

it was a grey coloured smoke

cheers

[jaynana]

it's normal. same if you floor it to take off - just to make sure nobody can follow u as they'd be blinded by a smokescreen!!

[the shreksta]

so nothing to be worried about then

[jaynana]

it is indeed, my experience is more smoke and in fact a stronger smell of diesel on colder days, probably to aid a colder start..

worth saying i had about 3 out of 6 glow plug reporting errors, not sure if that had a bearing on smoke, never bothered with them as the car always started perfectly.

experience is relative to other cars i've had of course, assuming you're not talking of getting engulfed in smoke for instance..

[M40CCA]

Mine does the exact same shreksta
White smoke on cold starts for around 30secs then nothing when I drive even when I give it some
Was advised it may be the glow plugs
I also had a Evo Vii before where smoke was classed as bad!!!



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[jaynana]

well, evos and scoobys don't run on heavy oil do they? 

also note that the E53 is the pre DPF era (which i think is a blessing) so the exhaust isn't the cleanest..

[X5-D-Sport]

I think I'd be more worried if my Diesel X5 didn't smoke a little on start-up.

Must admit, my heater plugs are mostly inoperative (summer job)... I think JUST 2 work... so I get a billowing greatcloud of Black smoke for 5 seconds until she is firing on all 6 pots...
however,
she ALWAYS starts on the 1st revolution, regardless how cold it gets.

Just gotta get an oxygen mask so I don't choke to death meanwhile lol.


Re the smoke.....
WHITE smoke
is water vapour - common on many vehicles until up to running Temp or a clean burn.
BLACK Smoke
- Un burned diesel, due to poor heater plugs on start-up or over fuelling, or a heavy right foot on acceleration.
BLUE Smoke
- burning Engine Oil.... this is the one to be concerned about...

[Denis O]

One of my diesels did it, and ran fine, the other diesel didn't do it, and ran fine.

Make of that what you will but don't be overly concerned.

[Steamyrotter]

Its normal for the E53..

It overfuels on start, exacerbated by dodgy glowplugs.


You could have a slightly weepy injector leaving some extra fuel in the cylinder, but doesn't really sound like it though..

[the shreksta]

Hey guys, I've told a little porky. I examined it today from outside the car and it is a slight hint of blue.

As previous though, it's just on the initial start up  for maybe 1 or 2 seconds then none when driving/idling etc

Turbo seals perhaps in very early stages of failing

[X5Sport]

Still sounds like fuel.  It is an oil after all.  It should only do it when cold.  A warm engine shouldn't smoke.

[the shreksta]

i started the car at work (it had been stood 11 hours so was cold) - it smoked as described above

i drove home 6 miles and gave it a bit of welly on the way home,couldnt see smoke in the mirror or smell smoke when at junctions etc

got home and left her on tick over-no smoke even when revved outside the house

left the car a good hour/ hour and half went outside and started it and there was the a tiny bit of smoke,hardly anything really

the smoke does not smell like burning oil, in my previous imprezas the 1st one was turbo seals and that wouldnt smoke until warm and then bellow out smoke on idle and it would stink

2nd impreza had piston ring failure, smoked when started from cold and when driven hard-also bad smell of burning oil

the smell in the smoke from the x5 does not smell of oil at all, its like a dry sort of smell and made me cough as i filled my lungs with it lol

as said in previous posts it doesnt smoke when driven and once started it clears straight away

having read this..................would you still say its fuel and nothing to worry about?

[X5Sport]

You got a lungful of diesel smoke I would hazard!  Not very nice.

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5Sport"]
You got a lungful of diesel smoke I would hazard!  Not very nice.
[/quote]

lol no not really

i will keep an eye on it and if it does start to smell of oil i will be back on this thread lol

[X5-D-Sport]

Hi again Shreksta..
as our friend above said... I recon all is normal & worst case.. you may have a heater plug dead..
but like mine.. they canbstill start ok on just 2 or 3 heater plugs.

personally, id put up with it for now & swap the dodgey ones out when its warmer weather.