2005 X5 White smoke on start up. 3.0Diesel,

[Modena666]

Hi guys/girls, just recently purchased an X5 2005 model with 40k and a decent service record. First morning started the car up and a puff of white smoke for 5/7 seconds and clears away. Performance and economy is fine, no shakes or rattles from engine. Is this a major worry or something that can happen. Thanks alot.

[phelix]

Does it do it every morning? It could just be steam from the moisture in the exhaust - the amount will vayr depending upon temp and humidity.

[TheEnd]

Thick white smoke is diesel vapour, often the sign of non functioning glow plugs, or just a general misfire, but if this was the case, it'd run lumpy for a few seconds, or take a few turns to get started

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xR8-e5_bhg
At the 30 sec-ish mark you can see this.

You'd also get a smell like diesel too.

If you don't get the smell, it probably is just condensation.

[Modena666]

Hi guys, thank you so much for taking time to reply back. i only had it a week and it does it every morning. After i bought it i noticed it and the dealer told me the day before i was to pick it up it wouldnt start and they had to change some relay or small ecu that controls the glow plugs, he said there may be diesel in the cats and would fade away. so far it still does it, but only a little on cold start for a few seconds then fades away. It starts first time on the button and does not miss fire or anything like that. Thank you.

[Devils Fuel]

I have an 04 facelift 3.0d model and recently had to replace the turbo, every morning I start it, it kind of chuckles and produces a few puffs of smoke. mechanic told me it would be smokey for a little while, but it still happenin 3 months on

[TheEnd]

Stand near the rear end and see what it smells like. Oil smoke is quite a heavy strong smell, but diesel smoke (or more correctly, diesel vapour from cold starting) has a lighter oily smell and is a lot whiter.

Oil smoke is burnt oil, diesel "smoke" is unburnt vapour.
Keep an eye on oil levels as another clue

[Modena666]

Thanks alot, it smells quite strong, but have now noticed that when the engine is idling it produces a very bad diesel smell only outside and never in the car. Its really strange but dont know what it can be.

[< FORZA WEST]

If the X has done about 40k + you will need to replace the crankcase breather filter as it is a servicable item but not listed (the interval is 60k but i have been doing them at 40k)...when the begin to block it causes a small amount whitesmoke on start up, then as time goes on this filter becomes clogged and you start to belch white smoke all of the time.

The filter sits on top of the engine under the covers between the injectors and air filter...X5 is the hardest of the range to get to as the pollen filter housing id in the way.

Edited by < FORZA WEST on Thursday 26th February 21:07

[Modena666]

That is really helpful, thanks so much, is it something i can try and do my self or shall i take in to the garage? Also can i just buy the part from the dealer? Thanks again. very helpful.