'Smoking car!?'

elodewijk · 03-14-2021, 10:23 AM

Pardon my ignorance here but my 2020 new to me X4M COMP seems to smoke after being driven ... I've noticed it's coming from the left side in the engine compartment, is this a regular phenomenon as a result of high temp engine and rain evaporating!?

Klazu · 03-14-2021, 10:52 AM

Are you sure it's not just the brakes after having driven the car a bit harder? Can you see any smoke or does it just smell?

elodewijk · 03-14-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klazu

Are you sure it's not just the brakes after having driven the car a bit harder? Can you see any smoke or does it just smell?

No I just got the car and the other day and I can see smoke-clouds coming out of the engine compartment on the left hand side ... driven it for almost 500 miles home and no issues except for the smoke !?
I'll wait for a dry sunny moment and try again ... this is too weird ...

allinon72 · 03-14-2021, 12:31 PM

First thing would be to determine if it is in fact smoke or is it water vapor. If it's smoke immediately take it to the dealer.

floating.spirit · 03-14-2021, 08:41 PM

I've never seen smoke or steam coming out of my car except out of the exhaust pipes. Take a video or photo and go to dealer.

LimeRock · 03-14-2021, 09:35 PM

I would take it in. I find it hard to believe there’s that much “steam” from a hot engine. Who wants to bet the dealer won’t be able to replicate the issue...sigh

richard in NC · 03-15-2021, 03:51 PM

Its possible they thought a need to top off fluids and spilled some. It's common to get a hot "burn-in" smell on a brand new car after a hard drive, but not smoke. Do make sure the oil cap is tight.

elodewijk · 03-16-2021, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elodewijk

Pardon my ignorance here but my 2020 new to me X4M COMP seems to smoke after being driven ... I've noticed it's coming from the left side in the engine compartment, is this a regular phenomenon as a result of high temp engine and rain evaporating!?

Thanks everyone for the feedback, as it turns out the valve-cover-gasket was seeping onto the exhaust manifold ... hence the smoke ... it's being replaced atm. Just got word the valve-cover itself was cracked and needs to be replaced as well ...

LimeRock · 03-16-2021, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elodewijk

Quote:

Originally Posted by elodewijk

Pardon my ignorance here but my 2020 new to me X4M COMP seems to smoke after being driven ... I've noticed it's coming from the left side in the engine compartment, is this a regular phenomenon as a result of high temp engine and rain evaporating!?

Thanks everyone for the feedback, as it turns out the head-gasket was seeping onto the exhaust manifold ... hence the smoke ... it's being replaced atm.

Not to be alarmist, but isn't that concerning at low miles? I'll likely replace the car before the warranty is up, but curious about long-term S58 reliability now...

Sarg33 · 03-16-2021, 01:34 PM

OP I wish you the best and hope it all turns out to be a one time thing.

There are always the Monday/Friday built cars out there and it could be a total fluke.

But the worrier in me is wondering, had it been previously tuned and/or beaten on hard?

I am really hoping this engine is bullet proof, but reading about BMW's M engines it seems they all have some weakness or design flaw that shows up over time.

elodewijk · 03-18-2021, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarg33

OP I wish you the best and hope it all turns out to be a one time thing.

There are always the Monday/Friday built cars out there and it could be a total fluke.

But the worrier in me is wondering, had it been previously tuned and/or beaten on hard?

I am really hoping this engine is bullet proof, but reading about BMW's M engines it seems they all have some weakness or design flaw that shows up over time.

Thanks for your response, I have updated my post to reflect "valve cover gasket" instead of head gasket, a significant difference in severity but annoying nonetheless ... and just got word the valve-cover needed to be replaced as well ...

elodewijk · 03-18-2021, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LimeRock

Quote:

Originally Posted by elodewijk

Quote:

Originally Posted by elodewijk

Pardon my ignorance here but my 2020 new to me X4M COMP seems to smoke after being driven ... I've noticed it's coming from the left side in the engine compartment, is this a regular phenomenon as a result of high temp engine and rain evaporating!?

Thanks everyone for the feedback, as it turns out the head-gasket was seeping onto the exhaust manifold ... hence the smoke ... it's being replaced atm.

Not to be alarmist, but isn't that concerning at low miles? I'll likely replace the car before the warranty is up, but curious about long-term S58 reliability now...

Thanks for your response, I have updated my post to reflect "valve cover gasket" instead of head gasket, a significant difference in severity but annoying nonetheless ... and just got word the valve-cover needed to be replaced as well ...

Sarg33 · 03-18-2021, 06:30 AM

OP, Definitely a significant difference!

Glad to hear it was nothing severe.

03-14-2021, 10:23 AM	#1
elodewijk New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW X5 / X7 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	'Smoking car!?' Pardon my ignorance here but my 2020 new to me X4M COMP seems to smoke after being driven ... I've noticed it's coming from the left side in the engine compartment, is this a regular phenomenon as a result of high temp engine and rain evaporating!?
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03-14-2021, 10:52 AM	#2
Klazu Private First Class 166 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X3M Competition Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Are you sure it's not just the brakes after having driven the car a bit harder? Can you see any smoke or does it just smell?
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03-14-2021, 12:31 PM	#4
allinon72 Brigadier General 4922 Rep 3,804 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	First thing would be to determine if it is in fact smoke or is it water vapor. If it's smoke immediately take it to the dealer.
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03-14-2021, 08:41 PM	#5
floating.spirit Captain 1017 Rep 840 Posts Drives: X3M Competition Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Washington state iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X3MC [0.00]	I've never seen smoke or steam coming out of my car except out of the exhaust pipes. Take a video or photo and go to dealer.
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03-14-2021, 09:35 PM	#6
LimeRock Lieutenant 672 Rep 405 Posts Drives: BMW & Porsche Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Windy City iTrader: (0)	I would take it in. I find it hard to believe there’s that much “steam” from a hot engine. Who wants to bet the dealer won’t be able to replicate the issue...sigh
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03-15-2021, 03:51 PM	#7
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Its possible they thought a need to top off fluids and spilled some. It's common to get a hot "burn-in" smell on a brand new car after a hard drive, but not smoke. Do make sure the oil cap is tight. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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03-16-2021, 01:34 PM	#10
Sarg33 Lieutenant 555 Rep 542 Posts Drives: 2021 X3M Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	OP I wish you the best and hope it all turns out to be a one time thing. There are always the Monday/Friday built cars out there and it could be a total fluke. But the worrier in me is wondering, had it been previously tuned and/or beaten on hard? I am really hoping this engine is bullet proof, but reading about BMW's M engines it seems they all have some weakness or design flaw that shows up over time. __________________ Can't or Won't? Current: 2021 X3M Gone but not forgotten: 2020 M2C LBB MT
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03-18-2021, 06:30 AM	#13
Sarg33 Lieutenant 555 Rep 542 Posts Drives: 2021 X3M Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	OP, Definitely a significant difference! Glad to hear it was nothing severe. __________________ Can't or Won't? Current: 2021 X3M Gone but not forgotten: 2020 M2C LBB MT
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