White smoke, smells like gas on start up

JFED87

MEMBER
2005 BMW X3
3.0L
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

My car went through a series of issues recently. I had the vacuum hoses replaced and I changed the plugs and coils because of misfire. That seems to have gone away, but I get a cloud of white smoke that smells like gas when I start the car. It goes away pretty soon after, just on start and only when the car is not warmed up. I have been researching and I have not changed the fuel injectors, should this be the next logical move? Oil was changed to verify no coolant mixed as well.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,942 POSTS

Hello,

I would start by removing each one of the spark plugs and keep them in order of the cylinder they came out of, then look at each one to see if there is one that looks different. This would be the cylinder that is having a problem.

You are looking for a dark plug letting you know the injector on that cylinder needs to be replaced due to a spray pattern issue.

Please let us know what happens.

Best, Ken