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Denise Wells Posted on Jul 07, 2012
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My 2004 745li bmw leaves white smoke when driving off sometimes

My car leaves white smoke from the tail pipe sometimes, but does not do it all the time, what could this be from

2 Answers

Randy Ohler

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  • BMW Master 14,585 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 27, 2015
Randy Ohler
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Condensation is the exhaust will cause this. This is normal. If the smoke has a blueish tint to it. Look at swedburg's comment.

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  • Contributor 7 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 27, 2015
MELCHIZEDEK SWEDBURG
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This widespread problem is the one part no one thinks of: ENGINE VACUUM PUMP.it runs mechanically off camshaft;once seal leaks,oil from camshaft housing enters vac oump and becomes ingested by engine,therefore exiting tailpipe,water accumulation in by product of catalytic converter changing smog/carbon to water/vapor.REPLACE VAC PUMP AND SEAL ,SMOKE WILL STOP!!!!

  • Randy Ohler Dec 27, 2015

    Oil burning has a blue tint to it. But I see your reasoning.

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 99 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 10, 2008

SOURCE: overheated engine

Hi i would say have ago at rebuilding this yourself, Get a Haynes Manual for the car and that will tell you everything you need to know, The hardest part for you would be getting the timing correct and tightening the head bolts correctly (all in the manual tho) Look at it this way if it all goes wrong you wanted to get a second hand engine anyway, and you will learn alot in the process, Dont forget if you need any help along the way people are here to help, Good luck if you go for it, Steve

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janlinekbmw

Jan Linek BMW

  • 153 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 09, 2010

SOURCE: When it idles for a while and then you step on the

Change PCV valves and are located on the lids of valves, when they are bad, so the car smokes just as you write. Here is a picture, price cca 20usd, replacing time: 5min does easy!!!!2aa1f9b.jpg

ian0769

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 02, 2010

SOURCE: I have 2002 BMW 325Ci 86000 miles This morning was

Hi,
Check the coolant level in the expansion tank first, no coolant then it sounds like the head gasket. If the coolant is ok then it sounds like it's the catalytic converter, the reduction in power is where the debris from the cat blocks the tail pipe / silencer.

Anonymous

  • 17 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 15, 2010

SOURCE: My 320i takes longer to

Your head gasket is leaking and you'll have to take your car to your mechanic, the wihte smoke is coolant leaking into theengine cylinders, check you radiator it's problably low.

midland10

  • 110 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 10, 2011

SOURCE: I have a 1997 bmw

Unfortunately, you are experiencing two of the classic signs of a bad head gasket. Have the coolant checked with a test kit from your favorite auto parts store to verify this. I would check the radiator coolant regularly to verify coolant loss. Sometimes engine cooling system designs can allow for a bad hose to come in contact with the exhaust and make smoke out of the tail pipe so have all of the hoses checked too.
Hope this helps.

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Unfortunately, you are experiencing two of the classic signs of a bad head gasket. Have the coolant checked with a test kit from your favorite auto parts store to verify this. I would check the radiator coolant regularly to verify coolant loss. Sometimes engine cooling system designs can allow for a bad hose to come in contact with the exhaust and make smoke out of the tail pipe so have all of the hoses checked too.
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Your head gasket is leaking and you'll have to take your car to your mechanic, the wihte smoke is coolant leaking into theengine cylinders, check you radiator it's problably low.
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White smoke

Sound most likely like a head gasket - Check your coolant level and if low it is possible that coolant is entering into the engine. I would not driving the vehicle as driving the engine would cause more damage.
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