preasure regulating valve?

[wardy24]

2001 525I, 110k miles.......just spent about $1100 getting some work done (new coolant resivior, oil housing gasket, oil change, new rotors, power steering fluid tube, ass mass meter boot) after all that is done, i get a call and they said they had found that the car is throwing white smoke and they need to now replace the preassure regulating valve so another $350 needed. with all the problems with the car when i brought it in, it was not throwing white smoke. about 8 months ago, it threw white smoke so i gave it an oil change and changed the O2 sensor and that corrected the problem. on top of throwing white smoke, sometimes the car seems a bit delayed on accelaration.......my friend who knows a little bit about cars says that it smells almost like oil was being burned and is leaving some black carbon type powder outside the exhaust. any opinions? do you think the shop is making a correct diagnosis?

[Poolman]

Sounds like the Crank case vent valve(presure valve for your indy) and yes they can cause the trouble your discribing--for the price that they are quoting sounds reasonable as well--it's a hard diy--parts are about 160 bucks--but if you are good with your hands it's doable--I would suggest that you replace your Vanos seals also.
check below
http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_procedure.htm

[wardy24]

thanks for the feedback poolman......i am not handy at all.....i guess i was more concerned with the diagnosis more than anythign else. its wierd cause sometimes it throws smoke and sometimes it doesnt.

[Poolman]

There are four hose's that hook up the ccv valve--make sure they replace them also when doing this job.

[wardy24]

UPDATE!!!!......so, my wife was driving the car this morning to drop the kids off and half way through, the oil light came on.....i checked the oil level yesterday and today when she got back and it seemed to be where it should be......

Another UPDATE!!!!......i called the auto repair place explaining the concern and he said the reason it is happening is beceause there is residule oil vapor burning off as a result of the preasure regulator being clogged.......he said as long as the oil level is ok, there is no damage being done to the car.......any thoughts?

[Poolman]

Your probably only half a quart low--no problem to drive--but when it's starts to go down--for some reason it will leave faster than when it's full--I haven't figured that one out yet--but that came from some BMW guru I read back a few months ago.