CCV vs Headgasket vs ?

[RandallPhoto]

Car is an 01 525i, 115k miles

So I was driving home today about 15min into my commute, I glance in my rear view mirror and see a massive smoke screen/cloud :eek: I immediately pull over, shut the car off etc, etc. Open the hood and everything looks good. Nothing leaking anywhere, everythings pretty dry. Checked over the entire valve cover gasket as I've had that go before, but it was replaced about 20k miles ago and still lookin good.

Make some calls and decide to drive it the remaining 4mi home cautiously watching everything. NO effect to drivability, NO overheating, NO loss of power, NO noises. If it weren't for the white smoke billowing from the tailpipe I would not have known anything to be wrong. So it gets home fine, the yellow oil light did come on after I turned the car off (started coming on a couple days ago, just haven't added a quart, was going to change the oil altogether this weekend) Didn't smell quite like oil smoke though, maybe a hint of it and was very white (didn't notice any blue)

It has be bitterly cold here (MN) over the last few weeks. last few days have been hi's below 0 with lows approaching -15 and it was colder than that last week :eek: .

I have yet to drain/check the oil as there was none on the dipstick (it was dry :( ) there was a bit of oil spatter below the oil filter housing and around the alternator...

What is the definitive test to tell what it is. I'm leaning more towards CCV cause of the cold and the zero effect to drivability. But...

Also, with added oil can the car make a 10mi trip to my shop to work on it in warmth? Obviously watching everything like a hawk?

[killcrap]

i would personally tow the vehicle to the shop. ive seen 4 cars oil locked in the last week. and when we removed the spark plugs to clear the cylinders, started the car up, and the rod was bent. its not worth it to drive the vehicle. whats $150 for the tow vs, rod replacement?

also i believe there is a class action lawsuit on the Crankcase Vent Valves

[jfmjr442]

i would personally tow the vehicle to the shop. ive seen 4 cars oil locked in the last week. and when we removed the spark plugs to clear the cylinders, started the car up, and the rod was bent. its not worth it to drive the vehicle. whats $150 for the tow vs, rod replacement?

also i believe there is a class action lawsuit on the Crankcase Vent Valves
Please elaborate more on "oil lockup". Are you in Irvine or a cold weather area? Class Action suit?

Thanks

John

[killcrap]

the valve in the separator freezes. when is sticks open, it does not allow proper oil return from the valve train area back to the oil sump. When this happens, the oil has only 1 place to go, and thats to the intake manifold. This can allow ALOT of oil to enter the combustion chamber. Which causes a oil Locked motor. I was previously in Irvine, now i am in the Shitty of Chicago.

[RandallPhoto]

so oil on the spark plugs would probably be a sure sign? (I have yet to do this as I have no tools at my new house yet...)

Is there any safe way to pull the car? automatic trans (really trying to avoid the tow :P )

[Cyrix2k]

I *think* you'd be fine if you disconnected the driveshaft. I wouldn't pull it any other way though.

[bimmerfiver]

killcrap is quite knowledgable.

Have you experienced any overheating issues yesterday or this winter?

You say there was no oil on the dipstick and at one point offered the engine compartment was clean, but then later there was oil splattered around?

Do you see any milk-like paste on the dipstick?
Removing the radiator cap, what do you see?

If it were me, I'd be curious to add oil, start her up and see what's happening.

[RandallPhoto]

Nope, no overheating issues. Actually it's been sitting at about 11oclock on the guage in this cold weather... And it's NEVER passed straight up on the gauge. The only thing I suppose the oil could have been there from when the valve cover gasket went about a year ago, Can't say I ever look down there where there was oil. But no noticable external leaks anywhere. And it consumes maybe 1 quart of oil over 4k miles? but there has been an increase in consumption since it's been cold. I'm actually starting to lean towards the CCV after all the research I've been doing last night/this morning :)

Didn't see any milk paste on the dipstick. (didn't really see anything on it though) I'm thinking I am going to add some oil start it for a short time and take another look. Haven't removed the rad cap yet (will when I get home...)

[bimmerfiver]

The CCV and hoses = $100.00+

Labor should be an hour.

At 115K miles an original CCV could certainly be the snag here. I changed my last Spring when the car had 70K miles. Most told me it was a waste of time and I knew better. I had no issues/symptoms whatsoever, just wanted to replace it.

I believe Doru had a winter-cold CCV issue and replaced his with the "winter version".

[Jason5driver]

the valve in the separator freezes. when is sticks open, it does not allow proper oil return from the valve train area back to the oil sump. When this happens, the oil has only 1 place to go, and thats to the intake manifold. This can allow ALOT of oil to enter the combustion chamber. Which causes a oil Locked motor. I was previously in Irvine, now i am in the Shitty of Chicago.

LOL!
Irvine FTW!

Wow!
Now I am really concerned with the CCV!

Thanks for the info!
Jason

[Poolman]

All that cold weather youse guys are having up North are freeeeezing the heck outa
thes dang CCV valves----once they start sucking oil--can ruin a engine if not carefull.

[Jason5driver]

All that cold weather youse guys are having up North are freeeeezing the heck outa
thes dang CCV valves----once they start sucking oil--can ruin a engine if not carefull.

Cold weather version...????

mmmm....????

[bimmerfiver]

Cold weather version...????

mmmm....????

Look at nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 "Cold Climate Version" esta aqui:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT43&mospid=47584&btnr=11_2194&hg=11&fg=15

[Jason5driver]

Look at nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 "Cold Climate Version" esta aqui:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT43&mospid=47584&btnr=11_2194&hg=11&fg=15

Right.
I have been contemplating the cold climate version for winters that see around 10-30 deg's F...