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: My car is smoking

q0192837465
10-09-2009, 07:55 AM
Literally. I idle on an incline (16th and Dunbar) and smoke just started to come out under the hood. I can smell something's burning from inside the cabin. But when i get back onto flat road, the car runs fine again. No engine lights no nothing. Engine oil level is good. Any idea on wut's going on?

It's a e46 330 btw
thumper
10-09-2009, 07:58 AM
you want us to do an online mechanical diagnosis on your car? this isn't onstar you know ;)
shenmecar
10-09-2009, 08:02 AM
thats a german car for you!
ilvtofu
10-09-2009, 08:03 AM
Do you have to be idling on an incline, or will it smoke as long as your going uphill?

Valve seals? (it is a BMW :rolleyes:)
q0192837465
10-09-2009, 08:04 AM
Do you have to be idling on an incline, or will it smoke as long as your going uphill?

Smoke comes just when the car is idling on an incline, it's ok when its running both flat & uphill
shenmecar
10-09-2009, 08:07 AM
Smoke comes just when the car is idling on an incline, it's ok when its running both flat & uphill

Is it A LOT of smoke?
q0192837465
10-09-2009, 08:20 AM
Is it A LOT of smoke?

well, not A LOT, but significant amount to cause some worry
fliptuner
10-09-2009, 08:35 AM
Is it oil (blackish)?

or

Coolant (white, steamy, smells kind of sweet)?

Does it happen when the car is hot or still cool or doesn't matter?
Is the car driven a lot or just short spurts here and there?
Are you getting the smoke under the hood and inside the cabin?
Coolant level good?
shenmecar
10-09-2009, 08:36 AM
Does it smell like coolant? similar to burnt sugar?
Mugen EvOlutioN
10-09-2009, 08:44 AM
you want us to do an online mechanical diagnosis on your car? this isn't onstar you know ;)

RS, you among friends
!Tigger
10-09-2009, 09:18 AM
isnt that allstate? lol

go to a hill with little cars, open your hood and check what area it is
q0192837465
10-09-2009, 09:20 AM
Is it oil (blackish)?

or

Coolant (white, steamy, smells kind of sweet)?

Does it happen when the car is hot or still cool or doesn't matter?
Is the car driven a lot or just short spurts here and there?
Are you getting the smoke under the hood and inside the cabin?
Coolant level good?

It's normal white smoke, not black for sure. It smells like burnt rubber

The car is definitely hot since I was driving for close to 45 mins before I reach the incline where the smoking occurs

The car is driven quite a bit. Close to 30km everyday

I have smoke BOTH under the hood & inside the cabin. The smoke comes in from the center air vents, I can clearly see smoke blowing in
Klobbersaurus
10-09-2009, 09:25 AM
its a mouse on your exhaust manifold cooking
fliptuner
10-09-2009, 09:25 AM
Is the temp fluctuating at all?

Check all coolant hoses and connections for leaks, bulges and cracks.

Also take a look at the valve cover gasket to see if it's leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold.
Sean@Home
10-09-2009, 09:58 AM
White smoke.... My guess is you have a rad crack close to the top of the rad and it spilling out on hot engine components. Ive had this happen before. check rad and hoses/fluid levels.
q0192837465
10-09-2009, 10:16 AM
thx guys, i'll go check out the hoses & radiator. I was planning to replace the valve cover gasket soon, but i guess it's time to do it now.
thumper
10-09-2009, 10:21 AM
It's normal white smoke, not black for sure. It smells like burnt rubber

The car is definitely hot since I was driving for close to 45 mins before I reach the incline where the smoking occurs

The car is driven quite a bit. Close to 30km everyday

I have smoke BOTH under the hood & inside the cabin. The smoke comes in from the center air vents, I can clearly see smoke blowing in

heater core? :(

next time it smokes pull over and don't shut it off and open the hood and see where it's coming from.
ToyotaPowah
10-09-2009, 10:34 AM
Why don't you idle the car on an incline, turn the wheels against the curb, pull up the e-brake and check under the hood? Or better yet, get a friend who can see what's goin' on under there.
q0192837465
10-09-2009, 11:16 AM
^ & ^^

Good idea, I'll do that before I order parts
shenmecar
10-09-2009, 11:38 AM
weird, my guess is that a hose has failed you.

This happened to me before, a bunch of white smoke coming out of my hood. Mechanic said the rubber got too old so it just cracked.

What bothers me is that it has to be on a hill for this to happen to you.
Mugen EvOlutioN
10-09-2009, 11:49 AM
u got smoked


:thumbsup:
XxFcukxX
10-09-2009, 07:36 PM
buy nicorrete for it?
Volvo-brickster
10-09-2009, 07:58 PM
could be a valve cover gasket

mine was spitting out oil only under load, at idle it didnt leak anywhere
TRD Rs200
10-09-2009, 08:04 PM
i say its valve gasket as well
?NR
10-10-2009, 11:33 PM
common wear and tear items on E46 M52TU/M54 engines :

- valve cover gasket
- thermostat with housing
- crankcase ventilation valve/hoses
- fan clutch
- lower rad hose temp sensor + o ring

other items :
- front control arm bushings
- steering tie rods
- air pump + arrestor valve
- leak diagnostic pump
- trans pan gasket
- headlamp washer telescope leaks
- w/shield and/or headlamp water reservoir leak
- coolant overflow tank leak
- intake and/or exhaust cam sensor