“Fuel Inject.System” / limp mode issue.

[fenj66]

ive never had a burning smell on mine, so i would say its not normal and there could be an issue

[dubwud]

More smoke... I was driving to work this morning and after 4-5 minutes, as I slowed to approach a roundabout, I noticed a thick grey/white smoke pluming from each side of the engine. It looked to be coming from the top of the wheel arch area on both sides. I continued to drive and by the time I got to work (another two miles or so) the smoke had stopped. There appears to be no clear sign of where the smoke was coming from, nor does the engine bay smell of burning or smoke. But there was a lot of smoke.

I’m struggling as there are no faults or lights on the dash, and I can’t seem to find any obvious signs to where the smoke is coming from. Can anyone advise of things to check or areas that may be leaking? Oil levels seem fine and there’s no obvious fuel leak anywhere.

[X5Sport]

Check coolant!

[dubwud]

I have just got home. Once the car cools I will check the coolant. Thanks again for your advice.

[dubwud]

I checked the coolant level and the bobble sits slightly proud of the neck, maybe only by a few mm. I couldn’t see any min/max indicators on the bobble but from looking online, some protrude a good few inches so mine could be low? Out of interest, how would low coolant relate to the smoke?

Also, the smoke seems to be getting worse, after a 10-15 minute journey yesterday on mainly 30mph roads, as I reversed on to a drive and switched the car off the engine plumed thick white/grey smoke. It looked as though it was coming from under the car again, and escaping over the tops of the wheels.

[X5Sport]

Just in case it was steam rather than smoke.  As far as level is concerned there should be a little flat plastic piece beside the filler point that shows diagrams for hot and cold.

If the level falls then you have a coolant leak.

If the oil level isn't falling then that's elminated.

Any work been done recently and oil got spilled under the bonnet?

[dubwud]

Ah OK. Thanks again. The coolant seemed to be normal. So that can be ruled out. However, the oil has dropped! I have just checked it now and found the level to be just above the 'min' line. I am currently working away until next week, so for the time being I am going to replenish the oil, but it seems I have found the potential source of the smoke.

To close out your other questions. I am not aware of any recent work done on the car - although I have only owned the car for around six months. I can't imagine any spilled oil prior to my ownership would still be present at this point.

I should also point out that the Webasto heater is still very loud. Each time I turn off the car after a journey the Webasto continues to emit a high pitched hum for 4-5 minutes, before eventually fading out to 'off'. It's an unsettling noise.