Smoke From Exhaust... - BMW Forum

AdoreGSX · 02-22-2005, 10:57 PM

Every now and then, smoke is emited from my exhaust, sometimes it is moisture, sometimes not...anyways, my CEL is on and the codes pulled were pertaining to exhaust type malfunctions, not exactly sure if it was a sensor or something. A mechanic also told me before the CEL was on that my muffler was clogged. Would this have anything to do with the CEL being on or is it a bad sensor and i'm running rich maybe? Plz help.

Rooz · 02-22-2005, 11:16 PM

what color of smoke? when does it show up? ...

mrkbik · 02-22-2005, 11:42 PM

You're probably burning whatever it is thats clogged in your muffler. I'd get that cleared out and see what happens.

kyle_baker · 03-29-2005, 01:10 PM

how do you get your muffler unclogged? i'm guessing there is not a product that you can buy to do this yourself? probably just a mechanic?

also, if it were clogged and smokes some (manual transmission) and smells rich, could that too just be the clogged stuff burning? I'm pretty sure my o2 sensor is good, no check lights have been on.

The Deuce · 03-29-2005, 01:38 PM

When's the last time you guys greased your muffler bearings?

I've found that ususally solves the smoking.

kyle_baker · 03-29-2005, 07:32 PM

well i've only owned my car for about 6 months now and have never done that before, can you explain what you have to do please? Thanx

flying_junk · 03-30-2005, 01:45 AM

my car smokes too. but only right before i shift when taking it to redline. is that normal too? or is there somethign i can do about it?

Darkmage · 03-30-2005, 07:26 AM

I have a similar problem here. A few times, when I got to school on cold mornings, ~25 degrees F, I turn off the car, but exhaust smoke is still coming out. Not sure why it does this

kyle_baker · 03-30-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Deuce@Mar 29 2005, 01:38 PM
When's the last time you guys greased your muffler bearings?

I've found that ususally solves the smoking.

[snapback]320946[/snapback]

i've never heard of bearings in the muffler, is that a joke, "HAHA"

mrkbik · 03-30-2005, 01:04 PM

Maybe you are all just burning oil. Take a look at your oil level and use a heavier weight next time you get it changed.

kyle_baker · 03-30-2005, 06:18 PM

that is a possiblility, and i have thought of that, but my exhaust smells too rich to be oil, just either too much gas or the carbon in the muffler burning i guess is what i'm thinking, you others might want to check to see if you are burning oil as well.

well actually what does it smell like when its burning oil? diff or same as rich?

The Deuce · 03-30-2005, 06:30 PM

In all seriousness, oil burns blue. It smells pretty bad, like burning chalk or something. It would be most noticeable under WOT.

A rich condition smells a little sweet, but not too sweet. The 'sweetest' smelling problem is a head gasket leak. Coolant smells like candy.

My BMW smokes when it's cold. It's condesation in the exhaust (remember the cats create h2o) that is vaporizing, especially noticable on colder days.

For what it's worth, mufflers are too far downstream to get clogged, unless a mouse decided to make it a home.

Usually it's the cats that get clogged and go bad, and unfortunately that's $$

kyle_baker · 03-31-2005, 10:36 AM

actually it is quiet common for exhausts to clog, especially the muffler.

The Deuce · 03-31-2005, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kyle_baker@Mar 31 2005, 12:36 PM
actually it is quiet common for exhausts to clog, especially the muffler.

[snapback]322147[/snapback]

Really?

used

I've never once seen this happen in all my years. Rusted, busted, dented, ripped, but never clogged.

This must be a BMW problem. What is in there that deteriorates and clogs it? It can't be from the motor or the cat would be shot first.

rsn48 · 03-31-2005, 11:10 AM

Recently my son and I purchased a 94 318i from Jessel on Boundary here in Vancouver. A friend of mine is a master mechanic at Jessel's so we stopped in to talk to him about the car. The car had 82,000 Kilometres on the meter (about 50,000 miles). He told us the E36's are famous for burning oil; which for the E36 is considered "normal."

In a conversation with a service rep at Park Shore BMW in North Vancouver yesterday (the service rep is a big fan of the 318i and owns one), he explained that the piston height in a BMW is not as long as most pistons in cars. Because of the "shallower" piston, he said it is more likely that oil will makes its way around the piston into the combustion chamber, hence the higher oil burning rate. He too said the E36 is more likely to burn oil at a higher rate than many cars, but not to worry - situation normal.