dealer recently fixed head gasket leak and now car is smoking

av.cr2 · 02-08-2020, 03:22 PM

Hello everyone so I recently took in my 2015 BMW 328i for an oil change at BMW of Ontario. While they were inspecting it they found an oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket. I was informed about the leak and they said it would be free to repair so I said ok.

I am now noticing white smoke coming out from under the hood on the passenger side. I've also noticed a weird smell every time I get out the car. Is this normal in the sense that its just burning off the oil that had originally leaked? or can it be that the valve cover gasket was not replaced correctly? if anyone has a clue as to what it could be please let me know any advise is greatly appreciated.
ps. they also broke a clip off a plastic cover inside the engine bay

obert · 02-08-2020, 03:39 PM

It could be normal. I had my timing chain replaced and I did notice a weird smell for awhile after inside the car but it went away. I did have a little but of oil from them working on it but no smoke.

Billfitz · 02-08-2020, 04:59 PM

I'd be suspect. If what's burning off now is what leaked before they replaced the gasket then it would have been burning off before they replaced the gasket.

sspade · 02-09-2020, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd be suspect. If what's burning off now is what leaked before they replaced the gasket then it would have been burning off before they replaced the gasket.

+1

Wouldnt worry about it unless the burning smell persists after a few hundred miles.

rjd_F30 · 02-09-2020, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

+1

Wouldnt worry about it unless the burning smell persists after a few hundred miles.

+1

CandyRedRC46 · 02-09-2020, 05:58 PM

This happened to me, they replaced the valve gasket, still leaked, I inspected further. Oil was spraying out the back of the head. I did some research, signs pointed to vacuum pump leak. I took it back, told them it was still leaking. The said it was still the valve cover, I said no its the vacuum pump, fix it. It was the vacuum pump, they fixed it lol.

CandyRedRC46 · 02-09-2020, 05:59 PM

ps... a valve cover gasket and head gasket are two very different things.

av.cr2 · 02-13-2020, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CandyRedRC46

ps... a valve cover gasket and head gasket are two very different things.

yeah I made a mistake and I fixed it in the post but I dont know how to change the title of the post

02-08-2020, 03:22 PM	#1
av.cr2 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F30 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 328I [0.00]	Hello everyone so I recently took in my 2015 BMW 328i for an oil change at BMW of Ontario. While they were inspecting it they found an oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket. I was informed about the leak and they said it would be free to repair so I said ok. I am now noticing white smoke coming out from under the hood on the passenger side. I've also noticed a weird smell every time I get out the car. Is this normal in the sense that its just burning off the oil that had originally leaked? or can it be that the valve cover gasket was not replaced correctly? if anyone has a clue as to what it could be please let me know any advise is greatly appreciated. ps. they also broke a clip off a plastic cover inside the engine bay
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02-08-2020, 03:39 PM	#2
obert Brigadier General 1781 Rep 4,456 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Seattle Wa iTrader: (49)	It could be normal. I had my timing chain replaced and I did notice a weird smell for awhile after inside the car but it went away. I did have a little but of oil from them working on it but no smoke.
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02-08-2020, 04:59 PM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8246 Rep 16,091 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I'd be suspect. If what's burning off now is what leaked before they replaced the gasket then it would have been burning off before they replaced the gasket.
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02-09-2020, 05:58 PM	#6
CandyRedRC46 Lieutenant 242 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	This happened to me, they replaced the valve gasket, still leaked, I inspected further. Oil was spraying out the back of the head. I did some research, signs pointed to vacuum pump leak. I took it back, told them it was still leaking. The said it was still the valve cover, I said no its the vacuum pump, fix it. It was the vacuum pump, they fixed it lol.
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02-09-2020, 05:59 PM	#7
CandyRedRC46 Lieutenant 242 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	ps... a valve cover gasket and head gasket are two very different things.
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