White Smoke (long post)

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Golgade
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Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:19 am
Location: Enumclaw, Wa

White Smoke (long post)

Post by Golgade »

Hello,
This is actually about my 95 530i, but I wanted your guy's opinion on it. My 95 530i produces white large quanities of white smoke out the exhaust, plus I am experiancing coolant loss, but not more then 500 ml every 1,000 miles. This has been going on for more then 6 months, and 7,000 miles. You can't see it when it is above 50 degrees, and most of the time when it is cold it will go away after 40 minutes of driving. The car never gets close to over heating, exhaust smells like exhaust not coolant, the coolant smells fine, doesnt have oil in it and the oil doesnt have coolant in it. So most of the people on my E34 board dont think it is the head gasket, and say that E34 spew white smoke like this normally for about 20 - 30 min from condinsation on the exhaust.I have never found a coolant leak, BUT the cabin sometimes smells of coolant, but I have never found any on the carpet. I was just wondering if anyone else had an opinion. Also the doesnt start to really do this until the temp gauge has gotten almost normal running temperature. Wouldnt a car with a head gasket problem start to emmeit smoke/steam right when it was started, from coolant sitting in the engine?
I'm just really worried about this.....
Dan Lafley
77 530i
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1st 5er
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Post by 1st 5er »

My initial diagnosis based on your described symptoms leans heavily toward the head/head gasket malfunction.

There is a chemical that tests for exhaust gas in the coolant.
I'd have this performed before I rule out the head gasket.
Sherman

TexFest LSB&F V

95 525iT (Her DD)
92 ///M5 (????)
91 ///M5 (T donor)
88 ///M5 (Das Beast)
86 535i (Snob)
79 528i (1st 5er)
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