2001 BMW 320 Smoking Exhaust & Burning Oil

J8NO_G

MEMBER
2001 BMW 320
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
79,000 MILES

Hi there. I recently bought a bmw 320 convertible and noticed that there was white/bluey smoke coming out the exhaust. I took it to my mechanics and after consulting a BMW technician it was found that it needed a new cyclone unit (as it was blocked?) I had previously the week before had a new water pump and alternator belt fitted also. However, the car is significantly still burning oil and smoke is still coming out the exhaust. I noticed it's only mainly at low revs when pulling away at lights or when I put my foot down strongly whilst changing gear. I am at loss as to what is wrong with it? I wondered whether it was the headgasket but it does not over heat. If I want to go on a long journey it tends to use about 3-4 litres of oil on about a 5 hour trip which is not only excessive but also rather expensive too. Would you have any idea of what it could be? Many Thanks

2 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

It sounds like a possible vacuum leak, when the cyclone was replaced, did they smoke test for other leaks?

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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 AT 12:30 PM

J8NO_G

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I don't think so. When it went into the mechanics in the first place it went in as I noticed the smoking and the using a lot of oil was happening before. My mechanic then spoke to BMW who diagnosed the cyclone problem. To be honest I saw the old cyclone and it did need replacing. The coil went on one of the cyclinders after he had put it back together and when that was replaced noticed oil in the cylinder (over the spark plug maybe?). I'm not very mechanicall estute but my feelings would be that either the gasket or the piston rings are leaking causing the oil to leak into the cyclinders and thus the coil pack went or am I completely wrong? What is a possible vacuum leak? How would it be corrected and is it an expensive job?