White smoke on start

[eugenelt]

If I let the car sit for a few days it blows a thick white smoke on start for about half a minute or so. There's also a slight smell of coolant (I think) inside.
Any idea what this could be?

The car is also due for a timing chain replacement - is this related? In other words, will replacing the timing chain fix this, or this is completely unrelated?

Cheers!

[interceptor428]

The white smoke on startup is most likely from your turbo seals....I have the same thing happen. There's a new oil feed line for the turbo that has a one way valve to keep the oil from pooling inside the turbo when the car is off. Dealer quoted me ~1kUSD to install it. The other issues you mention (coolant and timing chain) are not related to this in my non expert opinion

[Mtpisgah]

I have never replaced a timing chain, is this really an issue on BMWs?

[eugenelt]

Originally Posted by Mtpisgah

I have never replaced a timing chain, is this really an issue on BMWs?

I think it's an issue specific to this engine (N20). A design flaw which may or may not manifest. If it does, you're in for an expensive repair.

[interceptor428]

What year s your x1. And do you drive city or highway or mix? Trying to figure why you need a timing belt

[eugenelt]

Originally Posted by interceptor428

What year s your x1. And do you drive city or highway or mix? Trying to figure why you need a timing belt

2012. I've heard they've changed the design in 2015, so it's no longer an issue on new cars.
Driving a mix... not sure if it matters.

Just to be clear, it's not a maintenance item.

[interceptor428]

Understood..thanks for the info. All the "complaints" about timing chain seem to be from 2012 model year folks (I'm 2013 and inspect the guides an chain on regular and no issues at 103000 US miles)

Good luck with everything you're doing!

[X1Denver]

I would say all this is bad advice. If you smell coolant there is a coolant leak somewhere. white smoke is 99% coolant burning. It could be several things...yes turbo seal letting water enter the turbo, but not the oil feed, it could be lots of other stuff. IE oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler gasket, head gasket, etc.

You can check the intake, preferably before the intercooler to see if coolant is in the charge pipe....

[x1GTA]

Originally Posted by X1Denver

I would say all this is bad advice. If you smell coolant there is a coolant leak somewhere. white smoke is 99% coolant burning. It could be several things...yes turbo seal letting water enter the turbo, but not the oil feed, it could be lots of other stuff. IE oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler gasket, head gasket, etc.

You can check the intake, preferably before the intercooler to see if coolant is in the charge pipe....

Yup! White=Coolant.

As for timing chain - it's true that they changed the design in 2015. It's not yet proven if that was due to issues, or other reasons, or increases reliability. Timing chain design is identical from 2012 through 2014.

Some suspect due to long oil change intervals, oil degradation impacts the tensioner and/or guides. This causes rattling on the guides, fracturing the plastic. This either causes the chain to skip or plastic to plug the oil pickup starving the engine, or damaging the oil pump.

There is no definite root cause - and many theories are on the internet!

[BaritoneJP]

I have a 2014 X1 that, when it sits for a full 24 to 48 hours without being driven, it puffs (not thick) what I call white smoke for just under a minute. I do not smell anything from inside the car.

I'm at 80k miles, and I drive interstate miles. I do run 89 gasoline so I wonder about deposits. I've been running 93 for the past two tank fulls; I realize that could be "why". However, this was happening prior to using 93.

I do not have access to 91 octane fuel in my area. I'm not excusing myself, just giving truthful info as to running 89.

If anyone from the Birmingham, Alabama area knows of a good BMW location (besides a BMW dealership) please let me know.

[X1Denver]

Thats more likely condensation in the exhaust burning out.

[BaritoneJP]

Originally Posted by X1Denver

Thats more likely condensation in the exhaust burning out.

Thanks for your reply

[eugenelt]

Originally Posted by BaritoneJP

it puffs (not thick) what I call white smoke for just under a minute.

Mine blows thick white smoke for about 20-30 seconds. What you describing does sound like a condensation (esp. if on colder days).

[Njerts]

This can also be the cause...

https://bmwtechnician.com/2015/11/04...urbo-oil-line/