Mariannebmwe83
Fluid sound and smoke from BMW X3
(Translated from Dutch)
Summary of the thread
Marianne is experiencing issues with her 2007 BMW X3, including hesitation, a whistling sound, and smoke, which she suspects is due to unburnt fuel. The problem temporarily resolves when the car is restarted. A mechanic suggests that a vacuum leak might be the cause and recommends inspecting vacuum hoses and conducting a smoke test. After further inspection, a VANOS exhaust system issue is identified, and it's suggested to check and possibly clean or replace the VANOS solenoids to resolve the problem.
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5 comment(s)
Mariannebmwe83 (community.author)
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The symptoms you're describing could be related to a vacuum leak, which can cause hesitation, whistling sounds, and unburnt fuel issues. Start by inspecting all vacuum hoses for cracks or disconnections, especially around the intake manifold and throttle body. A smoke test can also help identify any hidden leaks. Let me know if you find anything or if you have further questions!
Thank you for your response. All the hoses have been replaced, new valve cover gasket, new crankcase ventilation, new spark plugs. It was read again at the garage today, now it indicates a vanos exhaust system issue.
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CarlyMechanic
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Thank you for your response. All the hoses have been replaced, new valve cover gasket, new crankcase ventilation, new spark plugs. It was read again at the garage today, now it indicates a vanos exhaust system issue.
The VANOS system can indeed cause performance issues if it's malfunctioning. Start by checking the VANOS solenoids for any signs of clogging or failure, as they can affect timing and lead to hesitation and smoke. Cleaning or replacing the solenoids might resolve the issue. Please update me on your progress or if you have any further questions!
Mariannebmwe83 (community.author)
community_quotation:
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The VANOS system can indeed cause performance issues if it's malfunctioning. Start by checking the VANOS solenoids for any signs of clogging or failure, as they can affect timing and lead to hesitation and smoke. Cleaning or replacing the solenoids might resolve the issue. Please update me on your progress or if you have any further questions!
Thank you for your response. The problem does not always occur. After a few starts (short distances) it sometimes goes wrong over longer distances (not always).
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CarlyMechanic
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Thank you for your response. The problem does not always occur. After a few starts (short distances) it sometimes goes wrong over longer distances (not always).
Intermittent issues can be tricky. Since the problem is related to the VANOS system, consider checking the oil condition and level, as dirty or low oil can affect VANOS operation. Ensure you're using the correct oil type for your BMW. If the issue persists, it might be worth having a professional mechanic inspect the VANOS system more thoroughly. Let me know how it goes or if you have more questions!
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BMW
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X3
CarlyMechanic
The symptoms you're describing could be related to a vacuum leak, which can cause hesitation, whistling sounds, and unburnt fuel issues. Start by inspecting all vacuum hoses for cracks or disconnections, especially around the intake manifold and throttle body. A smoke test can also help identify any hidden leaks. Let me know if you find anything or if you have further questions!