Smoke Test

[Sophia89]

Hi
I have been reading different posts here for a few years but this is my first time posting. I have a 2001 BMW 330ci and the check engine light is on. I took the car to a local garage to find out what the problem is and they called me a few hours ago to let me know they would have to do a smoke test. The test is 255.00, car had many codes and they think there is a leak? in one of the hoses. Before I brought it there , engine light was on and it would run rough when first starting and sometimes white smoke would come out of the back of car. After driving for about 10 minutes, car would run fine with no problems. Is 255.00 expensive for a smoke test? Did I need a test to find out why the light is on? They are aware of the problems I mentioned above. Any help would be appreciated.

[shadowpuck]

first question - is this a BMW shop? what part of texas?

by the quick description you've provided, scanning for codes and performing a smoke check would be the first order of business. can you give us an idea what all that quote includes? it seems a bit high to me, but, different parts of the country have different rates, and if that also included a diag fee, etc. it might not be that bad.

[Sophia89]

Hi
It’s not a BMW shop, just a regular auto repair shop in Round Rock Texas. The 255.00 is for the smoke test alone. Thank you for responding.

[MauiM3Mania]

You could drop $135 into the smoke machine mentioned here and have a new, cool tool.

[ross1]

That seems quite expensive. $250 buys 2 hrs at a dealer near me and almost 4 hrs time at a good independent near me.
This test should be done and over in less than 1 hour's time.

Rough running and "white smoke"(do you smell anything while it is smoking?) on cold start could be the beginnings of a failed head gasket. Coolant dumped into the cylinder(s) after shutdown & heat soak being burned off.

[Sophia89]

They just called me with results from smoke test. He said there is a vacuum leak near the oil separator and he has to replace oil separator including hoses and inspect the rest of hoses because there might be more leaks. He also said the valve cover gasket is leaking. The price for all mentioned is 987.00 for vacuum leaks and 841.00 to replace cover gasket. All prices are before tax. I told him that was too expensive and would pick car up tomorrow. I have no idea how to fix cars so will call other auto shops tomorrow. Do the prices sound right? Thank you.

[ross1]

They just called me with results from smoke test. He said there is a vacuum leak near the oil separator and he has to replace oil separator including hoses and inspect the rest of hoses because there might be more leaks. He also said the valve cover gasket is leaking. The price for all mentioned is 987.00 for vacuum leaks and 841.00 to replace cover gasket. All prices are before tax. I told him that was too expensive and would pick car up tomorrow. I have no idea how to fix cars so will call other auto shops tomorrow. Do the prices sound right? Thank you.

Hell, no.
Find a reputable indy through your local BMW club
"because there might be more leaks"? So for $250 this guy doesn't even know where the leak(s) are? I hope he kissed you first.

[shadowpuck]

there would have to be some other shops in your area - there's a lot of BMW's running around there! you could also check with the Lone Star BMW Car Club Chapter - they may have recommendations or can point you in a direction.

[Sophia89]

I have been upset since he called. I searched for BMW clubs in my area but did not see anything on an indy. Will search more when home from work. I found a few mobile mechanics and will call them tomorrow. Ross 1 thank you. I thought they could narrow it down with smoke test but sounds like they still have no clue. Thank you shadowpuck, I will search again when home.

[bmwdirtracer]

+1.

I work for an independent Euro specialist shop which has high labor rates. And it'll cost you ~$75 for a smoke test of the intake / CCV system, or $120 for a smoke test of the EVAP system, because that one is much more difficult.

$250 for a smoke test is out of this world ridiculous!

You need to drive away from this shop, and find a different shop. Damn, you're essentially in Austin, and BMW of Austin is excellent. Now, I'm NOT telling you to go to a dealership, but that would beat hell out of whatever shop is telling you you need to spend $850 to replace a valvecover gasket, another thousand for the CCV apparatus, after charging you two or three times the going rate, for a smoke test.

I just did a quick Google:

https://www.google.com/search?client...928232713!5i11

Austin is an exceptionally sophisticated Texas city; you can do much better than the shop you just visited.

[ross1]

I have been upset since he called. I searched for BMW clubs in my area but did not see anything on an indy. Will search more when home from work. I found a few mobile mechanics and will call them tomorrow. Ross 1 thank you. I thought they could narrow it down with smoke test but sounds like they still have no clue. Thank you shadowpuck, I will search again when home.

Unless you happen to find a "mobile" mechanic that has a well established trade I'd advise against this too. The Craigslist variety are almost exclusively mobile because they are either unemployable elsewhere or just crooks.

[Sophia89]

Thank you for all the help and suggestions. I will look for an independent shop tomorrow after I pick up my car.

[Sophia89]

Thank you Ross 1. I usually find them through friends or a local FB group.

[shadowpuck]

i agree - it would be the rare mobile mechanic that is capable of working on a BMW. they do exist, but i'd suspect they are rare.
you can easily reach out to the Lone Star BMW Club - they might be able to point you in a direction. you can also look up a shop on bimrs.org - they list at least 3, including the amazing terry sayther automotive. i've not been to this shop, but know of terry through club and track events - i'd check with the shops on bimrs or from recommendations from the Lone Star chapter.