330d White Smoke - BMW Forum

mohammedali81@hotmail.com · 03-24-2009, 05:59 AM

Hi All,

This is my first post and I have been looking at the many posts we have on here about the 320d and turbo problems generally...they are all very helpful so thank you to all that have written them.

I have a problem I could use some specific advice on. My car is a 51 plate 2001 330d M Type auto with 119k miles on the clock and a full service history (all except 2 are BMW stamps). I got it serviced about 1k miles ago and I think the wrong oil was used (10W 40 Castrol) as a result (i think, because it may be just the genral problem with BMW turbos from reading the posts here) I have started to get white / blue smoke from the exhaust. The people I got it serviced from are a bunch of cowboys and are not taking any responsbility.

It now at a friends of mines garage and he is going to take the turbo off to see the damage. The car drives fine (apart from the smoke) so I am hoping the engine and head / head gasket are ok.

1. I need a turbo and wanted to ask if anyone can recommend any good places - preferably a reconditioned one cos a new one would be too expensive.

2. If I get my turbo repaired, can anyone recommend a good palce to use for this?

Thanks people, I appreciate any comments / advice.

Ali (peace and love... and sticking together in the recession)

LandoAWD · 03-24-2009, 07:28 AM

Well, is it white or blue?

saltshaker185 · 03-24-2009, 11:51 AM

said above, is it blue or white? also let us know where you are located because that would help us recommend a shop to you also...

let us know,

salts

mohammedali81@hotmail.com · 03-27-2009, 08:08 AM

Hi Gents,

The smoke is white. The garage says I need a new/reconditioned turbo. My current one is a Garrett. Ive talked to Essex Turbos and currently dont have any ones in stock and would need to repair mine - have quoted me £425+VAT with 3 day turn around. My garage is saying that they want the turbo first cos the car could not be moved other wise.

The Head/gasket seems to be fine for the moment.

Please do let me know about any places you can recommend.

Many thanks

Torque · 03-27-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltshaker185

said above, is it blue or white? also let us know where you are located because that would help us recommend a shop to you also...

let us know,

salts

Let me go out on a limb here and say England. Wasn't really nuclear science figuring that one out.

saltshaker185 · 03-28-2009, 02:05 AM

shut it mr. ip tracer.

witeshark · 03-28-2009, 10:15 AM

FYI: he didn't need the IP; references to the type of plate or reg usually, if not always, come from the UK.

Torque · 03-28-2009, 11:46 AM

Yeah seriously. And the fact that the car is a e46 diesel automatically means its not from around here.

LandoAWD · 03-30-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammedali81@hotmail.com

Hi Gents,

The smoke is white. The garage says I need a new/reconditioned turbo. My current one is a Garrett. Ive talked to Essex Turbos and currently dont have any ones in stock and would need to repair mine - have quoted me £425+VAT with 3 day turn around. My garage is saying that they want the turbo first cos the car could not be moved other wise.

The Head/gasket seems to be fine for the moment.

Please do let me know about any places you can recommend.

Many thanks

White usually indicates a coolant burn, but it is possible that your oil/water cooled turbo could generate this. I'd still be leaning towards a head gasket. Did the shop do a compression test?