Smoke on startup - diesel - RESOLVED

[Bargain Bucket]

Just for the record : My facelift 3.0d would emit a puff of diesel smelling smoke on cold startup. A big puff. Scanner showed glow plug/controller issues so I changed all 6 plugs and the controller. Ever since then, no puff of smoke on startup.

[MJim]

Good job - well done! 

[storminmike]

[quote="Bargain Bucket"]
Just for the record : My facelift 3.0d would emit a puff of diesel smelling smoke on cold startup. A big puff. Scanner showed glow plug/controller issues so I changed all 6 plugs and the controller. Ever since then, no puff of smoke on startup.
[/quote]

Bet that wasn't cheap

[Bargain Bucket]

6 glow plugs were £63 from Eurocarparts.
Controller was £120 from BMW.
Paying someone to remove one snapped glow plug from the head was £200.

[MJim]

Yep BMW charge almost £200 an hour labour, and I suspect take their time as a result!

[pvr]

I had the same issue with my E53, also glow plug control unit.

They had to remove the manifold though for that to fit it, which made it very costly. They did not do that for you?

[JamieX5]

Good news. Mine does this. Scanner says number 3 and 5 glow plug fault. Changing all 6 this week

[Bargain Bucket]

[quote="pvr"]
I had the same issue with my E53, also glow plug control unit.

They had to remove the manifold though for that to fit it, which made it very costly. They did not do that for you?
[/quote]

Did it all myself so labour was free . I don't trust anyone to do a proper job other than myself. Yes, I took the manifold off.

[Denis O]

My 04 (120k miles) always gives a small puff of blue once the colder temps arrive yet the 06 Le Mans (64k miles) never has.

When I posted about this last year it appears it's very common and nothing to worry about. Certainly the 04 runs sweet as a nut and I love the smell of burning  napalm diesel in the morning 

[X5Sport]

Nothing wrong with a small puff (in cold weather).  Laying a smoke screen is a sure sign of trouble though....

Richard

[JamieX5]

[quote="Bargain Bucket"]
Just for the record : My facelift 3.0d would emit a puff of diesel smelling smoke on cold startup. A big puff. Scanner showed glow plug/controller issues so I changed all 6 plugs and the controller. Ever since then, no puff of smoke on startup.
[/quote]
I wish mine was that straight forward.  )