[omak81]

So I purchased a 2011 550ix with 78k yesterday and everything works great from what I can tell but after an extended idle today setting up everything in the I drive I tapped the gas a big old cloud of smoke was behind my car. I got out and watched the smoke dissapate then I could reproduce it. Any ideas? I got a power train warranty with it and it has had the customer care package already done just last month. Should I have it looked at?

This is my first turbo car not sure if this is normal.

[thetrance]

I think thats a symptom of bad valve seals

[omak81]

Originally Posted by thetrance

I think thats a symptom of bad valve seals

Is this a common issue with these motors? This is oil seeping past the valve seals and igniting when I give it gas? Thanks for the help.

[badblack550xi]

Our cars are notorious for burning oil

[thetrance]

omak81 how much oil are you going through?

[omak81]

Originally Posted by thetrance

omak81 how much oil are you going through?

Just got the car so not sure. Burning oil is something im used to if you see the previous BMW's ive had but this is a symptom of bad valve seals imo as well. Oil leaking and pooling then igniting when I gas it. My old car M3 had this issue but not as bad and was told basically drive it till it blows its the best option. I am not doing that with this car being 2 days home from the dealership.

[thetrance]

mine also uses quite a bit of oil, around a liter every 2000KM however zero smoke. I went in a few times and they measured it out to see how much it went through. We are gonna monitor usage post CCP and see what happens. have the dealer look at it...

[omak81]

Yeah it's gettin dropped off tomorrow, I tried to reproduce it today but it didn't do it.

[Zer0Cool92]

Originally Posted by omak81

Yeah it's gettin dropped off tomorrow, I tried to reproduce it today but it didn't do it.

My 11 550 also has very little white smoke coming out at idle.. Then if I hit the gas there is a small white cloud that I can see by looking at my side mirror. Let us know what they tell you.

[omak81]

Only happened once, dealer said its normal after doing the CCP.

[combatbmw]

Originally Posted by Zer0Cool92

My 11 550 also has very little white smoke coming out at idle.. Then if I hit the gas there is a small white cloud that I can see by looking at my side mirror. Let us know what they tell you.

Same. Pretty sure it's normal. Especially if car is catless.

[lsturbointeg]

Usually dark smoke is oil or oil getting through the seals and into the block. White smoke except for morning startups is usually coolant issues...blown head gasket...ect..

[omak81]

Well this was a cloud of white smoke after an extended idle and BMW checked it out and says it is a normal thing to see a few times after the CCP is done. Cars good to go.

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by omak81

Well this was a cloud of white smoke after an extended idle and BMW checked it out and says it is a normal thing to see a few times after the CCP is done. Cars good to go.

i havent done the CCP yet (soon, parts on order) but if I let me cart idle for extended time, like 5 min. then rev it. I see the smoke. but rev again and you dont' see it. Seems like extended idle causes it. I'm think valve seals, and thats probably why we also use so much oil.

I cant think of anything done in the CCP thats would cause that or fix it.

[omak81]

Only had this happen once to me so far so I'm not doubting BMWs response quite yet.

[rnbguy]

did you guys get to the bottom of this?

my n63 x6 is doing the same thing now, blue smoke after idle.

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by rnbguy

did you guys get to the bottom of this?

my n63 x6 is doing the same thing now, blue smoke after idle.

mine did the same on my 550i. Changed the Valve seals. no more smoke, or burning oil

[rnbguy]

Did you change the valve seals under warranty ? Or outside or yourself?

I'm curious how much it's costs


Also did you try the catch can approach first ?

[corys530]

Sounds like the valve seals

from my rs it about a 4k fix, and the reason i traded my v8 for the n55

you can put in some Rislone ring seal to help kill the smoking when it get worse

(mine started smoking at traffic lights) on your way to the trade in

It happens fast, i was suprised

[hatemax]

I had the same on my 2011 x5 5.0 after keeping idle for 2 min+ it starts to smoke. And I was adding 1 liter of oil every week!
The fix was changing valves seals. It cost me around $1000 including parts. This fixed the issue 100%. I kept it idle for one hour then hit the gas with no smoke at all and oil consumption is one liter per 5000 miles.

The workshop changed the seals by removing valve covers and cams. It took them 3 days to fix it.

[rnbguy]

Originally Posted by hatemax

I had the same on my 2011 x5 5.0 after keeping idle for 2 min+ it starts to smoke. And I was adding 1 liter of oil every week!
The fix was changing valves seals. It cost me around $1000 including parts. This fixed the issue 100%. I kept it idle for one hour then hit the gas with no smoke at all and oil consumption is one liter per 5000 miles.

The workshop changed the seals by removing valve covers and cams. It took them 3 days to fix it.

Wow 1k only???

In Australia we don't have that many mechanics who can do the job for that price, most of them don't want to do the work on a BMW or quote 4k which is the same as what a lot pay for it.


What is the damage other then paying so much for oil, to keep driving it like this for a little longer till I find the right guy - I know the cat can choke up but can there be any engine damage?

What else did you guys get changed? Is the chain a might as well do it too? did you ask for all other seals to be done?

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by rnbguy

Wow 1k only???

In Australia we don't have that many mechanics who can do the job for that price, most of them don't want to do the work on a BMW or quote 4k which is the same as what a lot pay for it.


What is the damage other then paying so much for oil, to keep driving it like this for a little longer till I find the right guy - I know the cat can choke up but can there be any engine damage?

What else did you guys get changed? Is the chain a might as well do it too? did you ask for all other seals to be done?

He is in UAE, immigrant labor I bet