Smoke from under the hood at the start

[Jacine]

2008 328i smokes for a minute from under the hood at the start while the engine is still cold. What could be the problem
Thank you

[Liquidity]

It’s the valve cover gasket leaking on the exhaust manifold. Don’t worry, it will only get worse over time til the point it’s smoking at stop lights and people are thinking your car is on fire. Yay for plastic valve covers.

[Jacine]

But the engine is still cold right at the start

[jclausen]

Ya but the leaking valve cover is the most common, while the hood is open have somebody start the car and you look around. Have you looked at the engine lately if not grab a flash light if needed and look. Does the valve cover to the air filter box wet covered with oil? Look at the exhaust manifolds with the flash light right above them are metal shields and above that is the valve cover are the shields dirty with oil, if so the valve cover is leaking and can produce smell and smoke.also look around for any white spots signs coolant has leaked, coolant hitting hot parts can produce steam, looking like smoke