Mild white smoke from the exhaust pipe

[Veera]

hello sifu's,need some advise and help here. i'm noticing some mild white smoke from the exhaust pipe of my E46 (year 2004) while idolling or driving sometimes.any idea what maybe causing this? pening kepala...

 

[julianf7]

oh...that's a sign that signals for engine overhaul...dunno the technical details but it's the sign...my car engine produce lotsa of white smoke when i go it early this year n drains out engine oil like crazy...if ur engine oil ran out very fast, it's time for full engine overhaul, changing seals etc good luck bro

 

[kby88]

I found out that my spark plug cover(tube) was leaking badly. So decided to change it.
Done top overhaul. All seal most of the worn out seal replaced including the valve seal. Cost me rm1450 and i'm happy with it now....
My car running wth the N42 engine..

 

[SBB]

Hi kby88,

Mind telling where u did top overhaul, please.....mine same N42 wild mild white smoke but if I ram it, people notice who followed me.....aduiiiii

I found out that my spark plug cover(tube) was leaking badly. So decided to change it.
Done top overhaul. All seal most of the worn out seal replaced including the valve seal. Cost me rm1450 and i'm happy with it now....
My car running wth the N42 engine..

 

[aidilj]

Hi kby88,

Mind telling where u did top overhaul, please.....mine same N42 wild mild white smoke but if I ram it, people notice who followed me.....aduiiiii

Bro SBB, aidilj here. Bro kby88 did the top overhaul at a workshop in Penang.

 

[julianf7]

I did mine at Auto Raco, KL at RM9,950 (replace tons of things, including radiator). Normal should cost RM3k+ depending on how many parts u r replacing...Bomin Auto said they can actually do the same at RM8k+ ROTFL I am now a Bomin fan

 

[gimli]

Could also be caused by the crankcase ventilation valve (CCV). You might want to get that checked first before doing a top overhaul.

 

[Vincent Hor]

I don't understand why mechanics are eagerly suggesting top or full overhaul for these N42/N46 engines. Good money and the perception that the engine is problematic?

Don't let them take you for a ride. White smokes & engine oil consumption could just be caused by harden valve seals. My mechanic don't encourage top or full overhaul on these Alu engines. Cylinder block needs to be rethreaded & new head bolts installed inorder to get back to factory torque settings. Thus cost escalates.

With the right tools & experience replacement of valves seals can be done without removing the head. I understand that this job can be done in under RM1k (parts & labour)

So before you jump straight to top/full overhaul, it's best to check with a few reputable mechanics for their views & options.

 

[anaksarawak]

Well said Vincent!

I don't understand why mechanics are eagerly suggesting top or full overhaul for these N42/N46 engines. Good money and the perception that the engine is problematic?

Don't let them take you for a ride. White smokes & engine oil consumption could just be caused by harden valve seals. My mechanic don't encourage top or full overhaul on these Alu engines. Cylinder block needs to be rethreaded & new head bolts installed inorder to get back to factory torque settings. Thus cost escalates.

With the right tools & experience replacement of valves seals can be done without removing the head. I understand that this job can be done in under RM1k (parts & labour)

So before you jump straight to top/full overhaul, it's best to check with a few reputable mechanics for their views & options.

 

[Game-R]

A much simpler method that you can DIY at home to check: Take out your spark plugs to get an idea of how bad the oil leak is. If the plugs are dry and covered in a light brown/tan powder-like ash, then it's not too bad and you can do a couple more K miles before it will start to affect your engine. If the spark plugs are "wet" and you could wipe oil residue off it's head, then you have a problem that needs fixing. This way, you can also trace to which cylinder where the oil leak is occurring, so you can start with just changing the valve seals for that particular cylinder, which isn't too expensive.

 

[Vincent Hor]

Bro, just realised that you have changed your nick. Enjoying you cabrio?

Well said Vincent!

 

[anaksarawak]

Bro, just realised that you have changed your nick. Enjoying you cabrio?

Yes, loving my cabrio every day especially weekends

 

[kby88]

Honestly, i'm still confuse with the term of "Top Overhaul".
However, most were referring replacing the valve seal and all other oil seal (top part of the engine) as "Top Overhaul".
Ya, mine they change the valve seal without removing the cylinder head.

I don't understand why mechanics are eagerly suggesting top or full overhaul for these N42/N46 engines. Good money and the perception that the engine is problematic?

Don't let them take you for a ride. White smokes & engine oil consumption could just be caused by harden valve seals. My mechanic don't encourage top or full overhaul on these Alu engines. Cylinder block needs to be rethreaded & new head bolts installed inorder to get back to factory torque settings. Thus cost escalates.

With the right tools & experience replacement of valves seals can be done without removing the head. I understand that this job can be done in under RM1k (parts & labour)

So before you jump straight to top/full overhaul, it's best to check with a few reputable mechanics for their views & options.

 

[anaksarawak]

Join our TT, we can talk till dawn LOL but you r right, changing all top part of the engine r part of top overhaul. Changing seals Only r not

Honestly, i'm still confuse with the term of "Top Overhaul".
However, most were referring replacing the valve seal and all other oil seal (top part of the engine) as "Top Overhaul".
Ya, mine they change the valve seal without removing the cylinder head.

 

[Vincent Hor]

A complete top overhaul requires removal of cylinder head where by valves & seats are grinded, valve seals replaced, water channels checked, new head gaskets & some may take the opportunity to port & polish for smoother & better power delivery.

Replacement of valves seals without removing the head is an enconomical yet effective solution to a leaky valve problem.

 

[Iceduke]

well if one goes the economical route for the n42/46, just replace the valve seals will do. as the prevailing oil consumption stems primarily from the valve seals...sigh why didnt they design it properly

 

[SBB]

Have mind checked, confirmed valve seal just by looking by Albert,
Pandan Mewah. Cost ... he says between RM1200 to RM1400, below RM1500 depending items needed to be changed.
Month end masuk workshop.... Aduiiii

 

[SBB]

Have mind checked, confirmed valve seal just by looking by Albert,
Pandan Mewah. Cost ... he says between RM1200 to RM1400, below RM1500 depending items needed to be changed.
Month end masuk workshop.... Aduiiii