Smoke after leaving on tick over?

[PhilUK]

Just carried out some work on the X on the driveway which required the ignition to be on for a while so rather than risk a flat battery I left it on tick over for approx 15 mins. Work completed, turned the car off, all good.

Drove the car a little later and noticed plumes of smoke when accelerating for the first half mile, is this normal?  :blink:

All ok after that but just a bit concerned that this is an indication of an underlying problem.

[Johnell]

I had this on both my 525d's and my independent explained what causes it (can't remember exactly what) and said it's nothing to worry about.

Hopefully this isn't a bum-steer so I suggest you speak to a specialist just to make sure.

[Lummox]

Did you start it from cold and leave it running? If this is the case then I shouldnt be concerned as the vehicle would have been sitting ticking over with the cold start system active which increases the ammount of fuel going into the engine. This can cause a build up in the system which it gets rid of when you start driving. If you read the owners hand book it will tell you not to leave the car idling to warm up and it advises that you should drive off iimmediately afrer starting.

Lummox

[4687ah]

I left mine running while watching an England game once when camping, i could not believe the smoke that came out the next day when we went out in it, but once cleared it returned to normal.
I wouldnt mind knowing what causes it though.
A guess, and it is a guess, is some of it may be soot building up in the "tubes" inside the cat as theres not enough force to push it through properly when ticking over, so as soon as you accelerate out it comes.

[PhilUK]

Thanks chaps. Has put my mind at rest.