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My engine runs fine, no smoke, but when I punch the gas to above 5,000 rpm,
I get a cloud of white smoke that smells like burnt oil. So I ask the collective wisdom of this board:

Is this a mixture or timing issue?
Or likely some other issue?

Or is it normal (i.e. maybe some deposits need to be burned off?)

EDIT: it doesn't smell sweet, I'm 99% certain its not a coolant...

SECOND EDIT: *maybe* the smoke is "blue" rather than "white". I don't know the difference... its not black, I know that.

I'm guessing either my rings are bad, the guy that redid my head didn't do the valve seals right, or I'm running lean and/or too advanced.

How is your brake fluid level?

My M535i did something like this and I thought it was kinda funny the first couple of times. It was a grey smoke. What I recently found out when I took the car apart was that the brake booster was full of brake fluid leaking from the master. I put two and two together listening to Car Talk (yeah, I know) and apparently, the brake fluid gets sucked into the motor.

That is so interesting. Its night here now so I cant check...

I dont bring it up to 5000 RPM when driving, my car is an automatic,
So I suspect my fluid level may still be okay- even if it is getting sucked in.

So, dumb question, if this is the case, my brake booster vacuum hose have some brake fluid in it, right?

Im going to check tomorrow. Thank you!! I never even thought of that.

The smell of the smokeis terrible, and very very strong!

So I checked the vacuum hose, which I actually recently replaced,
there is no sign of any brake fluid... the check valve which i also recently replaced looks clean too.

However, I do recall when I took everything apart to change the headgasket there was a decent amount of "oil/fluid" in the top of the intake, which was surprising to, so I'm not so quick to dismiss the possibility that somehow brake fluid is getting sucked into the engine.

The booster seems to work okay however, when I do the usual tests....

And my fluid level seems like it can be topped off, but I'm not sure.

In any event, I'm going to keep an eye out for this added possibility.

Thanks for the info!

I just figured I'd throw it out there since it's not usually something considered. I know I didn't.

You should never rev an automatic E12 over 2500rpm in neutral. You can toast your transmission

socalfiver wrote:You should never rev an automatic E12 over 2500rpm in neutral. You can toast your transmission

I've never heard that about a 3HP22 transmission. 4HP22s, the 4 speed auto as found in 84+ BMWs yes, absolutely yes, but 3HP22s no.

When reading about fuel octane, the owners manual actually says:

"After driving for some time in dense city traffic or bumper to bumper, we recommend your engine "take a deep breath" by covering the next mile or two at engine speeds of 4500-5500 rpm. This will help eliminate any carbon buildup in the cylinders". (bold is in original)

Dense city traffic indeed, and I haven't been at all driving it hard because it pulls so hard to the right- just to the corner store and back...

You guys think it is carbon build up? Okay, I'm sorry for the questions here, but if this is the case, what it is the best way for me to run at 4500-5500 rpm with an automatic trans? Just put it "1" or "2"?

I did this once, I put it in 2nd, drive a couple miles at 4000rpm, make sure oil is topped off first. I'm at over 3000rpm at "normal" cruising speed so I wasn't worried.

Googleit

Thx guys- Ill post any observations when I get the car moving again!
(Getting to work on swapping subframe soon)!

Just a small update,,,,,

I did find tons of brake fluid in my brake booster!

Although no sign of it in the vacuum hose that I can see.

CBradio wrote:Just a small update,,,,,

I did find tons of brake fluid in my brake booster!

Although no sign of it in the vacuum hose that I can see.

Nice call Chris.

You need to get that out of there and rebuild/replace your master cylinder. They usually leak internally, but once in a while externally, which is what you have going on. To do it right you're probably looking at removing it, draining it, flushing it, trying to blow it dry and reinstalling. You don't want a booster full of brake fluid.

thanks for that /// ordered a remanned MS, and booster

I heard that once the fluid gets in there, its just a matter of time before it eats its way through the booster diaphragm?

CBradio wrote:thanks for that /// ordered a remanned MS, and booster

I heard that once the fluid gets in there, its just a matter of time before it eats its way through the booster diaphragm?

Possibly. That's why I said to R and R and flush it.

Mine was in quite poor shape. I feel sorry for the people that took it as a core.