V8 valve stem seals

[Quavers]

My 2004 545 failed its mot on a broken spring, track rod end and smoke while idling.
It appears to have the usual valve stem seal trouble - I know of PMP in Nuneaton however I am in Cheshire which is too far to drive without an MOT.

Has anybody had this work done in the Cheshire/Manchester area?

[Quavers]

I used the LM oil saver - it did help.

The car passed it's emissions but failed because it was smoking at idle.

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Another garage is looking at the car next week. It would appear the new MOT regs really are tightening up. If you have a smoky n62 it may not get a certificate from now on.

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I can drive the car at motorway speeds and it does'nt smoke. My wife followed me the 7 miles to test centre - she saw no smoke. I drove it home from the test centre with no smoke. It only smokes when idling on a hot engine - vacuum is pulling the oil down the valve guides.

Car has only done 87k. I need a valid MOT to get it to the specialist. Tester annoyed me by saying it had had a hard life - I asked him why it had had a hard life - he replied " because it's smoking."

[Quavers]

eliot said:

Smoking at idle is classic valve stem seals. I bought the tool and did it myself, but it's not a job for the novice or impatient. You can rent the tool via a fb group. There are a couple of places that specialise in doing them for about a grand.
To add; They usually last over 100k - hope yours isnt clocked.

It's not clocked - tbh I have heard of them failing at 70k.

[Quavers]

I tried another garage. They felt the smoke was'nt enough of an issue to fail. They recommend using additive and a heavier grade oil. Car now has a ticket.

[Quavers]

eliot said:

Be glad you have a ticket. Plan to get it repaired in the next 12m or so. Having personally changed the seals, I can tell you they go rock hard and brittle - I can't see how additives or thicker oil is going to make any difference.

Existing thread on the subject:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The garage that passed the car said the petrol bmw's have a tendancy to smoke and that they use an additive during a service. I will get the seals replaced later in the year ( a holiday is in the way). I don't mind spending £1k on the car as it is low mileage and in good condition.

I am surprised at the number of "specialists" that would'nt do the job - as cars evolve I am not sure many will survive on servicing and minor repairs alone - car will have to go to PMP which is not on my doorstep.

[Quavers]

PMP did the job for the price quoted with no dramas or sucking through teeth.

My car no longer smokes and runs much better.

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My car is in good condition and low mileage (89k), I did'nt want the issue causing more problems eg plugs, cat etc. so I bit the bullet and got it done.

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I have a 545 - and you never came across that way. There are various seal conditioners that may help - in my case 32 bad seals are too much for a bottle of additive.