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Thread: M20 White smoke help

  1. #1

    Default M20 White smoke help

    1988 520i M20.

    Over the last week the car started to misfire, I thought it might be the spark plugs as I only do little trips of 3 miles a day. Within a couple of days the misfiring went from bad to worse. Now white smoke is leaving the exhaust, I think it is non-combusted fuel as it stinks of fuel and makes a popping sound when it get warm. The idle has also dropped down and when driving it requires a lot of peddle for any speed.

    I replaced the spark plugs and tested to see if the HT lead needed replacing by removing one at a time and seeing if the problem go any worse, which it did not. At one point it seemed to sound better with one of the lead removed.

    I am now guessing about the O2 sensor?. does any one have any ideas?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    517

    Default

    Sounds like a head gasket. With engine hot and idling, hold a Kleenex across the taial pipe. If it gets wet and or shreds you're seeing steam. M20 head gaskets like to go, especially if engine has been treated to green antifreese and or long periods w/o timely change of coolant.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    14,843

    Default

    I concur
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    1,279

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 632 Regal
    I concur
    ditto
    If it cannot be fixed by the dremel or ducktape.. get out the sledge...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    I miss my e34

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,843

    Default

    has the antifreeze level dropped?
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
    Posts
    3,105

    Default Check the oil

    for milky residue


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Gateshead,UK
    Posts
    926

    Default

    I take it the white smoke (steam) is constant, rather than the usual cold morning steam that I get on a frosty UK morning. Are you having to top your coolant up? It should stay at the same level in the expansion tank for well...months really. Has the car overheated recently? The misfire could be down to a few things, a blown headgasket is just one of them. I can't comment on the O2 sensor as UK E34's with M20 engines don't have one fitted. The mixture is preset by the ECU.

    HTH,

    Shaun
    Last edited by E34-520iSE; 02-16-2006 at 02:07 PM.

  8. #8

    Default

    Does Oil Look Like Chocolate Milk ??
    Ifso Headgasket For Sure
    Good Luck

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,843

    Default

    I used to like chocolate milk but that stuff probably wouldnt taste so good.
    Quote Originally Posted by BMW5CARDVR
    Does Oil Look Like Chocolate Milk ??
    Ifso Headgasket For Sure
    Good Luck
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

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