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      05-08-2021, 01:27 AM   #1
Dangriffin87
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Random White Smoke and Burning Plastic Smell

Just been out for a spirited drive.

Friend commented that there was some white smoke coming out of my exhaust.
Later on I was stopped in traffic at the lights and I saw the smoke coming out along with a burnt plastic smell.

Drove car home and didn't see smoke again, parked up and let car idle. No smoke or smell.

No noticeable power loss and car feels normal to drive. Car is 2015 M3 got 77k kms on it.

Any thoughts or ideas where I should start troubleshooting?
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      05-08-2021, 09:29 AM   #2
icegrill
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Too much time in vtec would be my guess!?
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      05-08-2021, 05:43 PM   #3
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Coolant or water in exhaust causes white smoke, oil into exhaust has a bluish/white smoke. Usually when turbo seals fail they pass onto exhaust hence why you smell burnt/oil smell under load and all the time once they fail. Check for play on compressor wheel, if excessive, you need turbos.
My .02 cents.
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      05-10-2021, 07:25 AM   #4
Dangriffin87
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seems to happen after I get into higher boost. have had a few backfires when shifting up aswell, nothing to loud but not normal.

I am thinking turbo seals, turbos, PCV or valve cover gasket.

Can't see any obvious leaks and smell coming from exhaust.

Smoke is very light, not too heavy and not always smoking
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      05-10-2021, 03:21 PM   #5
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Could be a bad injector or a fouled spark plug, check them too prior to spending $$.
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      05-11-2021, 05:54 AM   #6
Dave Mustang
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dangriffin87 View Post
Just been out for a spirited drive.

Friend commented that there was some white smoke coming out of my exhaust.
Later on I was stopped in traffic at the lights and I saw the smoke coming out along with a burnt plastic smell.

Drove car home and didn't see smoke again, parked up and let car idle. No smoke or smell.

No noticeable power loss and car feels normal to drive. Car is 2015 M3 got 77k kms on it.

Any thoughts or ideas where I should start troubleshooting?
Agree that something may be getting inside the exhaust and also the gasoline can be of lower quality. In any instance I would not guess or make forecasts. I think you need to show this to certified mechanics at the station.
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      06-23-2021, 04:07 AM   #7
Dangriffin87
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Changed out the valve cover inc PCV valve. Was getting lots of smoke before hand. Now only getting a bit of what looks like condensation. Not sure if this is normal and if I am hyper vigilant now. I did run a engine flush aswell during the valve cover change as my engine was a bit sludgey, so not sure if I have somehow screwed a seal somewhere. Coolant levels not going down and car not overheating at all!! Just need to get the car fixed!
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      08-01-2021, 05:12 PM   #8
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Check top mount intercooler for internal coolant leak
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      09-28-2021, 08:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dangriffin87 View Post
Just been out for a spirited drive.

Friend commented that there was some white smoke coming out of my exhaust.
Later on I was stopped in traffic at the lights and I saw the smoke coming out along with a burnt plastic smell.

Drove car home and didn't see smoke again, parked up and let car idle. No smoke or smell.

No noticeable power loss and car feels normal to drive. Car is 2015 M3 got 77k kms on it.

Any thoughts or ideas where I should start troubleshooting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dangriffin87 View Post
Just been out for a spirited drive.

Friend commented that there was some white smoke coming out of my exhaust.
Later on I was stopped in traffic at the lights and I saw the smoke coming out along with a burnt plastic smell.

Drove car home and didn't see smoke again, parked up and let car idle. No smoke or smell.

No noticeable power loss and car feels normal to drive. Car is 2015 M3 got 77k kms on it.

Any thoughts or ideas where I should start troubleshooting?
Oil gasket cover. Same with me. Fixed it
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      12-14-2021, 07:26 PM   #10
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How does the valve cover fix that?

When PCV goes I heard its a loud hissing sound. So if you don't have that. There could still be an issue that causes a bit of oil burnoff coming out the exhaust?

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      03-10-2022, 09:04 AM   #11
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OP, did you figure out what could be the cause of your smoking issue ? Same symptoms here. Going to borescope the turbos and check compression on each cylinder.
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