Re: HELP!! oil leak? exhaust smoking (archive)

Hello everyone,
My 850 woes continue, ($4500 last two weeks and adding). I just changed my catalytic converter on the passenger side because it was severely clogged because of oil. Anyways, after it was installed yesterday, the passenger side muffler was burning severe smoke. Dealer told me there was a oil leak and that the engine was losing compression. When i got home I checked my right muffler and there was wet engine oil on the tip and the inside. At first I thought it was old oil that was just burning off but the car continued to smoke. The passenger side exhaust was sputtering and the whole car was sounding strange and shaking. Anyways, oil is getting on the spark plugs. Mechanic said it could be the seals or pistons. They said they have to dismantle engine to figure out exactly what is wrong. Is this correct, and what should I expect to pay. Are pistons expensive to replace, they said that is worst case scenario. Drivers side is fine, the passenger side bank is the one that is corrupted. Also, since they are going to dismanle my car, what else should I like for as far as failure or preventative maintenance. I am so close to selling my car, but there is no other car I want. I've put so much time and effort into this car plus a new tranny and other major things have been replaced, if i by another 850 will I have the same problems? My first 850 ran like a charm until it caught on fire (dont ask me how, started from underneath the car while I was driving). I hope this is the last fix, I just want my car to run normal. I love this car, and physically I think it is one of the nicest looking ones around. P.S. I am addicted to this board, I read religously everyday, have learned alot, thanks. Any input would be appreciated.
Danny C.

Danny

Just a thought, I have an 850CSI which I service myself, To cut a long story short, one day after a long run (350+miles) I parked car and left until morning, next day started & clouds & I mean clouds of smoke came out of the left (from rear) exhaust. At the same time the EML light came on, (does yours work?) . I thought perhaps the downward facing position I had parked in + the hot long run may have caused this, but 10 minutes later smoke still gushed out of the exhaust, it was physically wet at the exhaust end.

SO i took it for a run in a quite place (nobody behind me for long anyway!) switched it of & on a few times, suddenly for no obvious reason the EML light stayed off & within 5 minutes the oil cleared and the problem has not returned in 15000 miles!(I might add i've had lots of others but not
that). Power is completely as normal, quite acceptable for a heavy car.
It had used approx 1 litre of oil in 20 or so miles, quite unbelievable.

My only conclusion is that the DK motor/throttle vavle had stuck in the closed position or become temporarily inactive in my case also triggering the EML system warning light, the vacuum will have been very high in the bank as the engine tried to intake air,drawing up oil past the pistons, down the valve guides etc as the engine ran only powered by the other bank in limp mode.
Try pulling off the air trunking just before the air mixture sensors & see if you can see the throttle flaps moving or are open equally when the engine is running, or switch on the ignition (not start?)& listen with a small piece of wood or metal rod placed between your ear and the throttle bodies, you should hear a whining or buzzing noise from both, in my case you can hear it from the drivers seat!

I would certainly check this first as the engine seems pretty understressed in its normal life and the problems described by the mechanic based on my experience would indeed really require a lot of work , to get such a sudden severe problem as you describe would be extreme engine failure & I would be surprised it still ran at all. Certainly lots of nasty mechanical noises !

Feel free to contact me directly

Good Luck

Chris B

PS Nobody believes me when I described how the cloud of oil appeared & just disappeared so quickly, if I could do this when I wanted it would be great for A: buying another 850 cheap at auction! or B: Losing any overinterested followers!

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ 8-series (E31) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.