E46 Started SMOKING INSIDE

andrew.k · 02-09-2011, 08:02 AM

This morning I started driving to work and smoke started coming in from the vents!! I got out immediately and noticed that there was OIL on top of the headers in the engine bay.. What the hell is going on? What do I do?

Michel · 02-09-2011, 08:05 AM

might be your valve cover gasket leaking

andrew.k · 02-09-2011, 08:28 AM

Also, there is a yellow residue on the oil cap and peeking into the valve cover its all along the side walls. I think the headgasket and valve cover gasket blew? but why, and when does RMP open. I need this thing towed! i'm guessing its not a good idea to drive the thing anywhere?

andrew.k · 02-09-2011, 08:34 AM

Quick references

MANDD · 02-09-2011, 09:14 AM

Crankcase Vent valve required, I see that you do not have the cold weather version.

Mark.

Pierce330 · 02-09-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MANDD

Crankcase Vent valve required, I see that you do not have the cold weather version.

Mark.

+1 or your valve cover gasket...when my 330 had the same issue (combined with odour of burning oil through the vents) it was my valve cover gasket...

330Hi · 02-09-2011, 11:34 AM

Shouldn't have hidden your stash under the hood... May be car felt like lighting one up too!

DTP · 02-09-2011, 02:27 PM

so what happeend, did RMP fix it for you?

andrew.k · 02-10-2011, 08:17 AM

Discovered that coil pack in CYL 4 was soaked in oil as well as the plug

The gasket was replaced re tightened and tested

Results: Oil still leaks onto the headshield on top of the headers.

I am stumped. Are there any other possiblities? other than the valve cover gasket? I cant physically see where it's coming from due to viewing restrictions because of the angle (even with the valve cover off)

After installation of new valve cover gasket, during testing. revving the engine and looking at where the oil leak was for the first few minutes nothing, and then this was discovered. NOTE: the oil residue on the right is OLD before the gasket was chaned but the line of oil in the middle is new.

Please any other thoughts? maybe a crack in the block?
I even put high temp NVA on the half moons.

R_JAY · 02-10-2011, 11:27 AM

Did whoever do the gasket for you check the crankcase vent valve? I assume you do a lot of short trips by the sludge build up in your pics.

andrew.k · 02-10-2011, 11:34 AM

No, it wasnt checked, yes my trips consist of driving to my office about 15 minutes twice a day. I don't usually warm up the car either.

R_JAY · 02-10-2011, 12:02 PM

I believe what happens in this weather is frequent short trips don't burn off the condensation which leads to the sludge build up. The sludge is known to freeze up in part of the CCV and cause the pressure to build up and blow the oil out the valve cover gasket. You replace gasket and the oil still leaks because the CCV is toast.

pawcio · 02-10-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew.k

I don't usually warm up the car either.

thats a good thing. driving is the best way to warm up.

andrew.k · 02-10-2011, 01:51 PM

anyway of cleaning the ccv? where can i get a used valve cover if its warped? im not saying it is, but its always a possibility?

Taunto · 02-10-2011, 02:13 PM

If the PCV valve freezes up from condensation build up, it will blow out and spray alot more oil than u got going right now. Wouldnt even bother cleaning it, just buy a new one, along with a new valve cover gasket. I work for a dodge dealership, and see this problem allot on the dodge durangos, once that PCV blows, they have oil spray up on the back rear window of the car haha. Im not to sure what the PCV valve on your is worth but cant be very expensive, i know for the durango's there about $3-$7. Allow your car to warm up longer in the morning and idle it a little bit longer if u need to.