White Smoke from Exhaust

[JVCouper]

Hello,

I recently purchased my 650i XDrive Coupe. I changed the coils and spark plugs the first day. Later I noticed there's white smoke coming from exhaust. I made an appointment and took it to the dealer for inspection. They really did not tell me much of the exact issue except that my car has a recall and my mileage exceeded repairs. I am hoping someone is able to assist me with this. I live in the Bay Area, California. If anyone knows someone in the area who can fix this that would be great.

Thanks in advance -JV

[Mennaf06]

Originally Posted by JVCouper

Hello,

I recently purchased my 650i XDrive Coupe. I changed the coils and spark plugs the first day. Later I noticed there's white smoke coming from exhaust. I made an appointment and took it to the dealer for inspection. They really did not tell me much of the exact issue except that my car has a recall and my mileage exceeded repairs. I am hoping someone is able to assist me with this. I live in the Bay Area, California. If anyone knows someone in the area who can fix this that would be great.

Thanks in advance -JV

I hope I'm wrong but usually white smoke is from coolant entering the combustion chamber, and this would happen from a blown head gasket. I'd start there but I can't imagine it being a cheap repair

[Walt White Coupe]

Under what conditions do you see the "white smoke". White smoke is water vapor and is a product of combustion. It could be normal if you only see it during engine warm up.

[JVCouper]

Originally Posted by Walt White Coupe

Under what conditions do you see the "white smoke". White smoke is water vapor and is a product of combustion. It could be normal if you only see it during engine warm up.

Originally Posted by Walt White Coupe

Under what conditions do you see the "white smoke". White smoke is water vapor and is a product of combustion. It could be normal if you only see it during engine warm up.

It's random. Yesterday smoke was coming out pretty heavy after starting it. When I'm stopped at red lights it comes out a lot.

[thebmw]

I just thought of a bunch of jokes but decided against posting them in an effort to be more politically correct and sensitive. But boy, lots of jokes.

BTW, don't have any ideas about the problem. Could be what others stated. Try Seafoam in the gas tank...helps me whenever I have issues.

[JVCouper]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I just thought of a bunch of jokes but decided against posting them in an effort to be more politically correct and sensitive. But boy, lots of jokes.

BTW, don't have any ideas about the problem. Could be what others stated. Try Seafoam in the gas tank...helps me whenever I have issues.

Bring them on lol

[Walt White Coupe]

If the engine seems to be running normally, I wouldn't worry about it. For every gallon of gasoline you burn in the engine, ~1/2 a gallon of water vapor comes out of the exhaust.

[Karter_Brazy]

Originally Posted by Mennaf06

I hope I'm wrong but usually white smoke is from coolant entering the combustion chamber, and this would happen from a blown head gasket. I'd start there but I can't imagine it being a cheap repair

+1. $800-$1200 repair cost

[thebmw]

Seafoam and similar additives dehydrate the tank and will clear up water issues if that is in fact the issue. And it could help remove some carbon buildup as well. If it is a coolant issue, seafoam won't help.

[thebmw]

In regards to jokes, I'll just let you use your imagination. I've been on these boards way too long to risk getting any moderators upset :-).

[JBF650]

WWC has referred to water condensation vapour which is perfectly normal to come out the exhaust when the car is cold or the exhaust system is cool and the ambient conditions are cool. Its winter here in Aus atm and I love it when the expressive water condensation plumes waft up the sides of my 650 when it idles at the lights.... its quite sinister!

You didn't really explain what and when your car is ejecting 'white smoke'?? if you can get out and observe it hopefully its just water vapour i.e. stream which is perfectly normal when the exhaust system is cool and the car is in cool conditions. If its 'oily' and doesn't behave like 'steam' then potentially you may have a more serious issue with oil leaking into the manifolds.... I hope its just the former...

[jjasonSU]

Originally Posted by F06_GC

+1. $800-$1200 repair cost

For this car?? Double that

Could be valve seals oil leaking into cylinders when it's sitting

[Walt White Coupe]

Water vapor (steam) is white, oil is blue. It's not oil.

[Boss330]

What year is the car?

The N63B44 engine has a bad habit of burning oil due to poor valve stem seals. They had a recall where they replaced it with a brand new engine with the upgraded seals.

The smoke from this problem is white/blue in colour and is heavier/thicker than water vapour in the sense that it doesnt evaporate as quickly and remains in the air longer. It also smells like burnt oil.

This smoke often occurs when idling or when pushing the accelerator after decelerating. Both with cold and warm engine.

Very common problem on early N63B44 engines...

[650idriver]

FYI whenever I accelerate pretty fast (step on it) on the road, whoever following me says there's white smoke coming out the exhaust. My engine is running well right now so it definitely is just the water vapor. It doesn't do it while idling so if yours is it may be a problem.

[650idriver]

Also have the same car- 2014 what year is yours?

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by 650idriver

FYI whenever I accelerate pretty fast (step on it) on the road, whoever following me says there's white smoke coming out the exhaust. My engine is running well right now so it definitely is just the water vapor. It doesn't do it while idling so if yours is it may be a problem.

If that also happens when the engine and exhaust is warm, it's not water vapor...

[Crni82]

Have same car 2012 650i xdrive with 59k miles with same problem. Its your valve stem seals. Take it to bmw dealer. They should fix it under customer care program free of charge if it didn't pass 120k miles.