Need BMW expert opinion

[onyong4u]

2006 BMW x5 3.0L

Yesterday, cloud of smoke came out on the exhaust. And today, took it to the mechanic and I was drving, it will smoke out while on idle and somehow loose power as I drive.
Mechanic diagnose and he said itz a head gasket but he did not give me a printout.

Look on the the BMW thread and some people raplaced the CCV and problem solved.

Any thought on these before I commit myself to a major repair?

[jada1]

What color is the smoke

[onyong4u]

What color is the smoke

White

[DaveMorris]

That sounds like a head gasket and I wouldn't drive the car at all until it is fixed. If it blows completely you will be looking at far more repair than a head gasket. The engine can overheat almost immediately.

[jada1]

That sounds like a head gasket and I wouldn't drive the car at all until it is fixed. If it blows completely you will be looking at far more repair than a head gasket. The engine can overheat almost immediately.

I agree...but the problem can be bigger than a head gasket specially if you have a running issue untill the head is off its hard to tell unless the mechanic did a leak down test. Now once one system fails in a cooling system chances are the rest of them will follow along heat causes issue with any car over time. U don't want to over heat it cause the motor to seize completely. Its an interference motor..

[onyong4u]

No leak test, just diagnose. Itz not burning oil and temp is ok.
Mechanic suggested that I use Mobil1 0-40 full syntethic cause I mentioned to him that I used 5-30.
Maybe this might remove the white smoke.

Note: the smoke is not continous. No burning oil or coolant smell.

[paulyboy18]

My 2005 Camry does this when I first start it in the morning after it sits for a while... I also thought it was head gasket but the car runs perfectly fine and the white smoke stops after about 5 seconds.

[onyong4u]

My 2005 Camry does this when I first start it in the morning after it sits for a while... I also thought it was head gasket but the car runs perfectly fine and the white smoke stops after about 5 seconds.

The thing that bother me the most was when the mechanic already knew its a head gasket. I mentioned to him about the CCV and he looks kinda upset and maybe the rerason why he did not want to give me the OB reading when I asked for the computer printout.
I have seen so many thread that white smoke caused of bad CCV (PCV)
The BMW especially on 2006 model, CCV was always the problem and people had solved their white smoked problem by replacing this.

The valve stem seals is also another reason of the white smoke and that is part of the head cylinder, am I right?

[acbaldwin]

CCV (if it's like a PCV in every other vehicle) should cost only a few bucks and take a minute to replace. Just assuming BMW didn't apply German Engineering Majick to it and make it expensive and impossible to replace. I'd start by just swapping it out, it's usually a wear item anyways, do them with every smog check. Probably won't fix it but it's worth doing.

disclaimer: I am not an expert at anything.

[rob.d]

Sounds like your oil separator or (PVC ) is leaking, a simple test would have the car running at idle and remove the oil filler cap slowly and check for excess vacuum. Simple test and very common issue on a 3.0 and inline six engine and no BMW does not make it simple to replace. Recommend the oil separator and 4 hoses going to it. If you need further help just pm me i am a BMW technician at the Kearny Mesa dealer

[jada1]

Ya it depends on the smoke if you're seeing white cloud or a bluish smoke coolant burns white and oil burns blueish color and you really can't determine anything online ..if its a crank case problem it wont be big white smoke..best way of handling it is to take it to a bmw dealer rather than wasting money first time around with someone that is not even qualified to work on the car seen it time and time again from fixing other shops mistakes. .

[onyong4u]

Sounds like your oil separator or (PVC ) is leaking, a simple test would have the car running at idle and remove the oil filler cap slowly and check for excess vacuum. Simple test and very common issue on a 3.0 and inline six engine and no BMW does not make it simple to replace. Recommend the oil separator and 4 hoses going to it. If you need further help just pm me i am a BMW technician at the Kearny Mesa dealer

Rod..definitely yes..just need to find time to drive there, maybe this friday! can I drive it, though?
Can you pm me the cost to replace it? I know how much is the part, just do not have the right tool.

(This should be easy..since I replaced my fan clutch and thermostat before...but the CCV is under the manifold

[onyong4u]

Ya it depends on the smoke if you're seeing white cloud or a bluish smoke coolant burns white and oil burns blueish color and you really can't determine anything online ..if its a crank case problem it wont be big white smoke..best way of handling it is to take it to a bmw dealer rather than wasting money first time around with someone that is not even qualified to work on the car seen it time and time again from fixing other shops mistakes. .

I know exactly what you mean, just that my friend who has the same car as mine is on vacation and we pretty much DIY his x5, 5 series and mini s. And now that I need his help, his nowhere to be found. Sucks, money is tight right now!

[purdy]

Did you check the coolant to see if it is a milky color? That's a sign of oil and coolant mixing and burning and doing a bunch of stuff they're not suppose to do together. Never, I repeat NEVER take your BMW to a place other then the dealer or a German auto specialist. Bob Workman in Vista is great. Honest guy and will be more then happy to help you. The dealer also will be honest but will want your anus along with cash just for you being there.

[onyong4u]

Did you check the coolant to see if it is a milky color? That's a sign of oil and coolant mixing and burning and doing a bunch of stuff they're not suppose to do together. Never, I repeat NEVER take your BMW to a place other then the dealer or a German auto specialist. Bob Workman in Vista is great. Honest guy and will be more then happy to help you. The dealer also will be honest but will want your anus along with cash just for you being there.

Just checked it and looks normal!