Picked her up today
- Thread starter dopper85
- Start date
skelters said:
On paper its been well looked after, its a 57 pate with 11 service stamps in the book mainly from independent garages (some also have the accompnying invoice). Its recently had ABS pump replaced, roof motor refurb, springs etc so I don't think its been unloved - but who knows??
Just hit 84k. There is not a lot of smoke TBH but with the oil level dropping a bar....... Ive added a picture below when accelerating which shows the amount of smoke I'm referring to and as I say it does seem to clear up quickly and disappear:
Hopefully its just a case of new buyer paranoia!
The last proper service was in January 2018 and the garage changed the oil when I purchased it last week. I'm not sure what grade oil they have used - would it be worth using something slightly thicker? Any oil recommendations?
EDIT - The oil used was BMW 5W 40 Fully Synthetic high performance oil
The garage have just been in touch and said that they suspect its the "breather system" and a rocker cover and will get back to me tomorrow with a definitive answer.
A faulty rocker cover I can appreciate would explain a oil loss but I don't understand how a faulty one would cause smoke out of exhaust unless that was being caused by the breather system? What will them mean by breather system - crank case ventilation perhaps?
A faulty rocker cover I can appreciate would explain a oil loss but I don't understand how a faulty one would cause smoke out of exhaust unless that was being caused by the breather system? What will them mean by breather system - crank case ventilation perhaps?
At this stage I wouldnt worry that much. It would be interesting to know what grade oil was last put in. If it was something like 0/40 then at the mileage your car has done (not that high really) then you should change up to 5/30 or similar which will be a bit thicker. Its been suggested that you should do an oil change before you get hung up about that white smoke and I would agree. White smoke is usually condensation rather than burning oil.
dopper85 said:
Yep, and a pretty common failure on these cars. The valve gets all gunked up and the pipe down to the sump often collapses or blocks up. Try removing your oil cap with the car running, you should be able to feel a very light vacuum when you place your hand over the opening if it's all working OK.
When the CCV gunks up it pulls oil into the inlet manifold and burns it - hence increased oil consumption, but as above - burning oil usually gives a blue / grey smoke. White is usually just condensation, I'm not sure why Z4's seem to be a lot worse than other cars for that but mine is exactly the same and it doesn't use a drop of oil.
*update* picked her back up this evening, the following has been completed by the garage:
Work done - investigated blue smoke from exhaust and excess oil consumption, suspected engine breather fault,
Replaced rocker valve cover,
Replaced oil separator in rocker cover,
Replaced leaking vacuum pump,
Topped up engine oil level,
Adjusted free play from handbrake,
Road tested - OK.
Hopefully, this has resolved the problem and I can finally start enjoying the Z! The invoice was for £833.58 - Im relieved that I haven't footed the bill!
Work done - investigated blue smoke from exhaust and excess oil consumption, suspected engine breather fault,
Replaced rocker valve cover,
Replaced oil separator in rocker cover,
Replaced leaking vacuum pump,
Topped up engine oil level,
Adjusted free play from handbrake,
Road tested - OK.
Hopefully, this has resolved the problem and I can finally start enjoying the Z! The invoice was for £833.58 - Im relieved that I haven't footed the bill!
smoke ? its fatal ! i will give you 50 quid for it.. 