Exhaust smoke

Asked by Phoenix_1608 Feb 22, 2017 at 09:59 PM about the 2008 MINI Cooper S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

If I'm stuck in traffic and the car is idle for awhile,
when I accelerate I see whiteish smoke come out. I
know it's not normal but the car runs fine. I've
stayed on top of the maintenance but no one
seems to know the issue. Help!

21 Answers

220,975

If the exhaust has a sweet smell to it, then it is a good indication of a bad head gasket.

15 people found this helpful.
110

Have you fux it because I got the same problem if you can help me

11 people found this helpful.
210

I have a 2007 R56 Mini N14 engine, Same issue. Did any find a fix? Cheers

21 people found this helpful.
60

Same thing happened to me today....we’re you able to find the problem?

6 people found this helpful.
520

I found a fix for my 09 MCS with same issue. Took it to the shop and they could not figure it out. So I came up with my own diagnosis. Valve stem seals. I had done an oil chang and use the stuff i always use (Castrol Edge 5w30) to see if it would help the smoke issue but when 2 weeks went by with no change, I added a bit of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. It took about 2 days to notice there was no more smoke coming from the exhaust. After 3000 miles i did the oil change again, but this time i used Castrol Edge Highmillage 10w30 and did not add any Lucas Oil Stabilizer. The smoke has not returend.

52 people found this helpful.
170

Got same problem with my 2006 model as well. Spend almost £2k and the professional s find nothing so there is only one last thing , rebuilt.

6 people found this helpful.
170

I did not mention but the smell is a special one as well. The same specialist said that is not the gasket as that will contaminate the oil and will be visible .

6 people found this helpful.
105

Marian , did you fixed it ? what was the issue ?

10 people found this helpful.
170

No Silviu, is not fixed yet but went to BMW specialists and they said that there are 2 options: 1)the car has wrong oil in tne engine or 2) needs rebuild

5 people found this helpful.
130

I have the same issue. I't not a head gasket. It is NOT valve seals. It only happens when the engine is hot. Meaning while sitting in traffic, or when just getting off highway and slowing down to a slower pace. It does not happen when I first get underway in the morning. Heat = decrease in oil viscosity. If I turn off engine every time I come to a stop, it does not smoke. One shop thinks it's valve seals, but said the heat component and inconsistency, does not make sense. Another shop thinks its clogged oil control rings, which does make sense. Not something I want to change, but if I can clear them, it should help. There's also a theory that there's a sticking oil pressure control valve, or gate, that no one really knows how to deal with, or diagnose. Maybe something to do with the turbo oil lines?

13 people found this helpful.
305

Just replace your Thermostat and the problem will be gone forever, Smoke, Burning oil, Oil pressure light, all this is causing by bad Thermostat.

17 people found this helpful.
250

watch this video it is gonna help you alot https://youtu.be/mzmpvhPE4o4

17 people found this helpful.
70

I have a similar problem... I’m burning oil. When I take the oil cap off or dipstick out a little smoke comes out. After the car has been at idle for like 10 min and I rev it smoke comes out of the exhaust. Everyone says it’s the valve stem seals. Any advice before I dive in?

7 people found this helpful.
40

Mine is a 2010 cooper s with same problem. It was a faulty oil pipe to the turbo unit.

4 people found this helpful.
150

Pcv valve. On engine valve cover needs replacement It’s sucking oil tru the intake hose. Vacuum and burning on the engine like a bad motor. ..replace the valve cove and done

9 people found this helpful.
150

Have in mind the engine components are plastic valve cover and all the cooling. Lines thermostat housing and pipe are all plastic and the go for 50k. And then needs to be replaced..do your maintenance on schedule ..you can find all info in the mini service bulletin..it’s free on line at mini North America.. ..

6 people found this helpful.
40

I had the same issue after getting my oil change. I guess the capacity of the oil is higher in the book. So the technician put to much oil in it. Once he drained some if it out the issue went away

4 people found this helpful.
10

What you guys need to do is change your Valve cover that’s the problem I get same problem in my car and I replaced the ball cover and I don’t have no problems anymore

1 people found this helpful.
10

My 2008 MCS smokes white after an oil change. Now, I pour STOP SMOKE which seems to solve the problem but the smell of oil is in the car, when idle.

1 people found this helpful.
40

White/Blueish smoke when the engine is hot and after a period of idling such as a queue or in the queue waiting for a Drive-thru is highly likely to be the PCV valve. They have a life of about 60k miles and when they fail, they can cause engine or catalytic converter damage. Cost on Amazon or Ebay is about £10-£15. They should be specified as a standard service replacement at 40-50k miles to avoid problems. Discovered this too late on my Mini and now face a £500 bill for the cat replacement!!!

4 people found this helpful.

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