118i N43B20A E88 - using/burning oil

[Stubby Pete]

Afternoon all

We have a 57 plate (2008) 1 Series convertible 118i Petrol Auto on approx. 88k miles

After some other well known issues (resulting in replacing vanos solenoids) it had smoke issuing from the left side bonnet vent, not continuously. There is a smell of "hot" but the live data does not show any overheating. Coolant level is fine as is oil, although it uses quite a lot of the latter. There is no horrid gunk inside the 710 cap and no other obvious signs of HG failure. Thermostat appears to be working correctly too. I know the timing chain is a timebomb on these but that was all done prior to ownership.

Is this likely to be the start of failure of the electronic water pump or is a simple crank case breather (although I can't find one) or similar?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Touring442]

It will be pissing oil out as most do. The cam cover gasket will be dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold and the brake vacuum pump O ring as well. An annoying job to do as the four high pressure fuel injector pipes need to be removed and they're 30 quid each if they don't reseal after removal.

[helix402]

May have faulty valve stem oil seals too.