Hello we have a, new to us, 1997 e30 with a v10 that smokes intermittently. It has 67k miles. Recent oil change with 5w30 mobile oil and a new pcv valve.

We recently cranked it up and it smoked pretty good for about 5 miles then it stopped drove it 125 miles slowed down to a crawl and it started smoking again. It sat for 2 nights then we cranked it up and returned 125 miles without any smoke.

Was wondering if anybody might have an idea whats going on?.

Thanks

 

What color is the smoke?

 

Its grey. My water in the radiator reservoir is staying steady, not having to add any but did add 1/2 quart of oil.

P.S. I lived on Long Island 75 years ago.

 

That was random.

 

I'm going to try a quart of Marvel Mystery oil and see if that helps.

 

Must have a completely different word back then

Actually, it wasn't

 

So what does it mean?

 

I am lost. What word are we talking about?

 

On the other valve cover is a fitting, if there is any oil residue around it pull it out and check it close. It's a 2 pieces glued together, make sure they still that way. The 2v V10 is very picky when it comes to air getting into the crankcase, it will draw oil vapor into the pcv valve so it can be burned. Also make sure your dip stick is seated all the way and the O ring is in good condition. My 2000 V10 burned 1 quart every 2K miles from new but when that fitting on the left valve cover started leaking it used a quart every 500 to 1K.

Denny

 

Thanks for the advice I'll check all of that.

 

Just remember they pull a vacuum on the crankcase so you have to stop any air leaks into it, any air pulled in will go out through the pcv valve along with oil vapor. Another quick check to make sure you don't have a ring problem is to get it warm and remove the oil fill cap, block the tires, set the brake and have a trusted person behind the wheel put it in gear with the brakes on and step on the gas, if oil vapor comes out of the oil fill you have compression getting past your rings.

Denny

 

I had compression getting past my "rings" but....

waitaminute.. I was thinking about butts.

nevermind


H/T to GR(and her many characters)

 

Sorry, should have said "world" not "word" - I'm from Long Island, and still there

 

Mine consumes a quart every thousand miles. (No smoke though). I need to check this fitting you speak of.

Way back a few years ago I ran 5w30 and the oil consumption was drastically reduced. I've been running 5w20, and I will be going to 5w30 at my next oil change. I'll report back.

 

Sounds like leaky valve seals to me... unfortunately this is not a chevy and replacing valve seals is quit a job on these engines due to the engine bays and the overhead cams. I wouldn't worry about it unless its really bad. You can also get oil in the PCV system and it can cause the issue you are describing.