N47 Cooper D blue smoke!

[bern]

I'm getting a little puff of blue smoke out of the back of our 2013 Countryman Cooper D when it first fires up. It clears within seconds but obviously something is amiss.

First thought was turbo oil seals which is not a matter of minutes to sort out. So before I go down that route.

I wondered if it could be an issue with the crankcase / PCV system? But can find very little information online. Can't even find out whare it's located as it appears to be slightly different to the BMW 1/3/5 series layout? Anyone point me in the right direction please?

Another option that Google has suggested is knackered glow plugs. These are on my to-do list anyway but surely that would cause white smoke from unburned fuel rather than blue?

Any help much appreciated

[un1eash]

White smoke = water
Black smoke = unburnt fuel
Blue smoke = oil

Is it throwing blue smoke out under boost?

[bern]

un1eash said:

White smoke = water
Black smoke = unburnt fuel
Blue smoke = oil

Is it throwing blue smoke out under boost?

Nothing visible whilst driving. Will need to follow it to check. Only time I've noticed it so far is on initial cold start.

Edited by bern on Tuesday 31st May 19:23

[E-bmw]

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

[bern]

E-bmw said:

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

Thanks. You're not the only one to suggest this. Time for some research.

[thebraketester]

E-bmw said:

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

Yep that's what I was thinking. Another test is coasting down a hill and then accelerating.

[E-bmw]

thebraketester said:

E-bmw said:

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

Yep that's what I was thinking. Another test is coasting down a hill and then accelerating.

Correct, also when coming off a motorway & coasting down the slip road for as long as possible, then accelerating.

[bern]

E-bmw said:

thebraketester said:

E-bmw said:

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

Yep that's what I was thinking. Another test is coasting down a hill and then accelerating.

Correct, also when coming off a motorway & coasting down the slip road for as long as possible, then accelerating.

Not tried that yet, but I will . When I started it this morning nothing came out of the exhaust and I've just left it idling for ten minutes and then given it some revs, again nothing came out of the exhaust.

[bern]

bern said:

E-bmw said:

thebraketester said:

E-bmw said:

Blue smoke on initial start up is generally considered most likely to be valve guide seals.

Yep that's what I was thinking. Another test is coasting down a hill and then accelerating.

Correct, also when coming off a motorway & coasting down the slip road for as long as possible, then accelerating.

Not tried that yet, but I will . When I started it this morning nothing came out of the exhaust and I've just left it idling for ten minutes and then given it some revs, again nothing came out of the exhaust.

I did the coast and accelerate thing earlier down a long hill near me. Nothing visible in the rear view mirror. And have seen nothing on start up today either.

I did replace a rocker cover to intake breather pipe that was damaged the other day. Maybe something to do with that, who knows?!