Help ! 535i Blue Smoke from Exhaust

[bas407]

Hello

I have a 1998 535i with only 130,000 km on the clock and suddenly I have constant blue smoke from exhaust, strangely every so often a massive plume of smoke comes out (sort of like 007 in the Aston - seriously no vision for cars behind). The motor idles ok then rough then ok again. Once the motor reaches normal temp a very loud belt induced stye noise starts.

They tel me the rings are gone but it just doesn't seem possible on such low mileage, I think the noise has something to do with it.

Any ideas ?

Cheers
Brett

[brettski]

Welcome to the Werkz.

It could be an issue with the Manifold cover at the rear of the intake monfold. If you pull the engine oil dipstick (with the engine running) and hear a loud slurping type noise and the engine revs vary (or the engine stalls) this manifold cover is the likely cause. Have a look at RealOEM.com BMW E39 535i Intake manifold system part 2 on the diagram (11617501563). Within the manifold cover is a spring loaded diaphragm that breaksdown over time and eventually fails.
Have a look at Rear Manifold Cover aka. OSV | BMW 740iL | Magnum for a good right up on the symptoms and replacement.
Good luck.

[german-speed-demon]

blue smoke usually indicates running rich. justa thought.

[theluis]

Make sure the car is not overfilled with oil if it is the it could be forcing its self through the rings. O and actually black smoke is rich...

[bas407]

Hi

Thanks for the reply's.

Brettski, I pulled the dipstick out when at idle, idle drop a couple of hundred rev's but didn't stall. There was a noise like someone switched on a massive vacuum cleaner. This point toyour manifold call ! Would that also be a symptom of worn rings ?

Cheers
Brett

[brettski]

I am not sure what noise worn rings would have, but given that the pressure could be positive (from the cylinder that is firing) it could be more of a blowing noise than sucking. What I did on my car was to pull the dipstick all the way out, and then placed my finger over the dipstick tube, when I removed it and then replace it I could hear a distinctive clack noise from the area of the manifold cover at the rear of the engine, and the revs would drop and recover. I am not sure if that indicates that the internal diaphragm has failed or not.