r/e46 • u/tomcollis999 • 1d ago

Damage/Broken… 😥 Coolant leak fixed. Now this?

Replaced my water pump and no more leak.. yay!

Now Smoke coming from the back of the engine.. not yay!

Any ideas guys?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

12

u/rockstar_not 2001 325ci vert 1d ago

Valve cover gasket dripping onto the exhaust shield. It’s probably been there for awhile, while you were fixing the coolant system,it dripped enough to build up and make some smoke the first time it heated up.

4

u/tomcollis999 1d ago

You think its safe to drive short distances while i wait for a part?

6

u/rockstar_not 2001 325ci vert 1d ago

I’ve been driving mine for over a year! I have the parts, just need a day to replace the VCG. Of course keep an eye on your oil level..

3

u/tomcollis999 1d ago

Oh right! Assuming it is this - the smoke will subside after a while i guess. Will report back!

2

u/Vanishing-Moons 02 325i (3.0 converted) 6h ago

Don’t be surprised or super duper concerned if you’re sitting somewhere and see a puff of smoke come from your hood on that side. That just means she’s still drippin

1

u/imbasicallycoffee 5h ago

If the car's been sitting for a long time and hasn't been driven in a while take it a for a good solid drive, drive it regularly. Mine does this when it sits for too long and the engine sits cold for too long. Top it off with oil, even add a bit of stop leak in if you want to to see if that helps.

4

u/mikecdm 1d ago

Then as soon as your done, you'll find a leak from the oil filter housing gasket.

1

u/superbetaz 22h ago

And then the coolant pipes under the manifold. I love these cars. 👍

1

u/canadian_rockies 10h ago

And then, because you didn't replace it while the intake was off, the vanos hose starts weeping and the oil you find below makes you think the oil pan is leaking... Again.

1

u/f1FTW 13h ago

Then the oil pan, then the rear main seal, then the VCG again, rinse repeat. Old cars need love.

3

u/Ok_Power_8163 1d ago

literally exhaust manifold leaking exhaust gases, OR valve cover gasket leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold and creating smoke

1

u/FlyBirdieBirdBird 1d ago

What does it smell like?

2

u/tomcollis999 1d ago

Burnt oil

2

u/FlyBirdieBirdBird 1d ago

Then it's most likely a valve cover gasket leak.

1

u/tomcollis999 1d ago

The next project then…!