"Service Engine Soon" light came on...

openwheelracing · 09-08-2008, 01:59 AM

I was driving at 65-70mph, and the truck in front was going too slow. So I tried to make a pass to the left lane. Suddenly my car lost some power and started to shake (but still drive-able). The "Sevice Engine Soon" also came on. I immediately exited the freeway, parked the car, and turned the engine off hoping I can still make it home. The car ran fine afterwards. I checked the computer, and it shows "check ok". I also checked oil level, but it only shows roughly 1/4 left. That seems awfully low for a new car with 2400 miles. Also, whenever I start the car, a puff of smoke come out of the tailpipe.

I will take it in tomorrow after work. It's a 2008 328i E90 with 2400 miles. Anyone have experience with this? Any comments? Thanks.

Year's_End · 09-08-2008, 02:59 AM

A puff of smoke comes out when you start the car? Could it be leaning out? Like, it could be running rich, or the cylinders could be flooded. Hmm...

openwheelracing · 09-08-2008, 03:20 AM

Yes, a puff of smoke come out when I start the car. The sale person insured me that the smoke is normal for BMWs. I should've known better because my brother's doesn't have this problem. I was literally in love with my new bimmer.....

Year's_End · 09-08-2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

Yes, a puff of smoke come out when I start the car. The sale person insured me that the smoke is normal for BMWs. I should've known better because my brother's doesn't have this problem. I was literally in love with my new bimmer.....

Huh, my car had the same problems. If I gave it anything above 3/4 throttle at low RPMs it would cut power. And when I started the car up it had to lean out and the car would let a puff of black smoke out the exhaust.

All I know is that my 335i was doing the same thing about a week or two ago, and it turned out to be a fuel pump (HPFP) problem. I had mine replaced under warranty and haven't had a problem since.

I see you have a 328i though. I honestly couldn't help ya there. It's not normal, that's for sure.

BK · 09-08-2008, 08:34 AM

No experience with it. When you take it in, the dealer can tell if any codes were logged from the service light, even if you can't see them.

Couch · 09-08-2008, 08:36 AM

What color is the smoke? I'd like to see a video of this.

But with 1/4 left of oil, you need to get that filled asap!

Jet335i · 09-08-2008, 08:43 AM

depends on if it was black or white smoke....white is bad news bears.

openwheelracing · 09-08-2008, 08:45 AM

the smoke is actually white.

openwheelracing · 09-08-2008, 10:34 AM

Ok, I made an appointment at 5pm Pacific time.....

openwheelracing · 09-12-2008, 03:19 PM

Today I got a call from my SA, telling me that there is a "Valve" problem. They are not sure yet, and the top tech contacted BMW to have a rep come out to take a look at it. They ran a camera into the engine and saw "moisture". They think there is a small leak. Nothing else he can tell me at this point. I wonder what the "leak" is. Coolant maybe? Even if they fix the leak, can there be more problems in the future?

StoneCold · 09-12-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

Today I got a call from my SA, telling me that there is a "Valve" problem. They are not sure yet, and the top tech contacted BMW to have a rep come out to take a look at it. They ran a camera into the engine and saw "moisture". They think there is a small leak. Nothing else he can tell me at this point. I wonder what the "leak" is. Coolant maybe? Even if they fix the leak, can there be more problems in the future?

This sucks for a brand new car, and it sucks to be stuck in a Chevy Aveo too. I don't get it. A bmw loaner must be reserved two weeks in advance. So those who have serious engine problems have to drive Aveos that reek cigarettes?

man that bite bro. Wishes for the best.

vegasspeed · 09-12-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

Yes, a puff of smoke come out when I start the car. The sale person insured me that the smoke is normal for BMWs. I should've known better because my brother's doesn't have this problem. I was literally in love with my new bimmer.....

Another great statement from a sales person at BMW. Smoke is normal for BMW's???? Jesus, that is terrible to hear from someone at a car dealership.

3pnt4maro · 09-12-2008, 07:48 PM

smoke is not normal for any new car..except a diesel...good luck with it..sounds like you got some coolant in there

openwheelracing · 09-16-2008, 09:42 AM

They are still waiting for the BMW rep to come out (since last Friday). Apparently they can't pin-point or diagnose the problem. They "filled it with oil" to diagnose for leak but couldn't give me answer. I have a feeling they just don't want to say too much until problem is found. Has anyone had to wait for a BMW rep to come out for engine problem?

The car has a cover over the engine bay since last week and the parts are stashed aside. All the research I've done points this problem to head or head gasket leak. White smoke usually means burning coolant. This is not what I should be experiencing with a new car. I don't think I will ever feel comfortable about this car anymore.

oh btw, they gave me a Chevy Aveo (or Colbalt?) as a loaner....apparently you have to reserve a BMW two weeks in advance. I know, it's a joke (but seriously, I am not kidding, they gave me an Aveo).

lipek · 09-16-2008, 10:27 AM

uhh sorry to hear that, good luck man

3pnt4maro · 09-16-2008, 12:15 PM

dang..well it may have been a bad gasket or something but still that is odd for a new car...as long as the block and the heads are fine then it will be good to go...but I will say this...once a motor is broken open for the first time they never run the same...Im sure you wont have any problems once its fixed but it wont ever be quite the same as when it came off the line

openwheelracing · 09-16-2008, 03:50 PM

Lesson learned, never trust any sales personnel .

Got a call from my SA (great guy btw as well as the top tech). He confirms the cylinder head needs to be replaced. Somehow the coolant was leaking and the white smoke was indeed the byproduct of it. We are now waiting for parts to perform the surgery. Any consequential problem that I should be aware of? Obviously I've already gotten an engine misfire and reduce power on the freeway. I certainly hope that doesn't happen again.

martyp · 09-16-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

Lesson learned, never trust any sales personnel .

Amen to that. I can say this about 80% of the salesmen I met so far in my life: I only trust them as far as I can throw them. If you have a mechanical question, ask a mechanic, nobody else.

openwheelracing · 09-25-2008, 10:03 AM

Update:

So my SA finally told me the car was ready yesterday. He said he parked it in front and all I had to do was go to cashier and drive off. I went in, inspected the car. Everything seems ok. Then I turned the car on, fuel is extremely low and there is a red exclamation mark as well. Yes, nail in my tire. My luck with this car continues.....

I am very pissed off at this point. They better give me a new tire, not a used one. How can I tell if they give me a used one?

btw, I asked to see the cracked cylinder head. The shop foreman was nice and showed it to me. There was a crack right next to a valve. It looked really bad. Amazing the car ran normal with that crack. All other cylinders were relatively clean, but this particular cylinder was dirtier with some black material.

openwheelracing · 09-25-2008, 04:52 PM

update:

Now my SA wants me to buy the tire because they claim they don't have drywall nail in their shop. He says he can reimburse a monthly payment ($570) if I purchase the tire ($460). I wonder who is paying for this, BMW? If so, it's not good business imo....

This makes no sense to me, but I really don't have a choice here.....

BK · 09-25-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

update:

Now my SA wants me to buy the tire because they claim they don't have drywall nail in their shop. He says he can reimburse a monthly payment ($570) if I purchase the tire ($460). I wonder who is paying for this, BMW? If so, it's not good business imo....

This makes no sense to me, but I really don't have a choice here.....

It sounds like you're getting a better deal than if they paid for the tire.

openwheelracing · 09-25-2008, 05:25 PM

why would bmw reimburse me a month of payment for nail in my tire? especially since it's dealer's fault?

I know when I turned the car on, the red "!" was on, and I see the gas was extremely low, so I drove it to the station and noticed the light wouldn't go away and drove right back to the dealer. I grabbed my SA all worried, then he sees the car and tells me it's just tire pressure.

09-08-2008, 01:59 AM	#1
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	"Service Engine Soon" light came on... I was driving at 65-70mph, and the truck in front was going too slow. So I tried to make a pass to the left lane. Suddenly my car lost some power and started to shake (but still drive-able). The "Sevice Engine Soon" also came on. I immediately exited the freeway, parked the car, and turned the engine off hoping I can still make it home. The car ran fine afterwards. I checked the computer, and it shows "check ok". I also checked oil level, but it only shows roughly 1/4 left. That seems awfully low for a new car with 2400 miles. Also, whenever I start the car, a puff of smoke come out of the tailpipe. I will take it in tomorrow after work. It's a 2008 328i E90 with 2400 miles. Anyone have experience with this? Any comments? Thanks. Last edited by openwheelracing; 09-08-2008 at 03:21 AM..
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09-08-2008, 02:59 AM	#2
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1138 Rep 12,444 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	A puff of smoke comes out when you start the car? Could it be leaning out? Like, it could be running rich, or the cylinders could be flooded. Hmm... __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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09-08-2008, 03:20 AM	#3
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Yes, a puff of smoke come out when I start the car. The sale person insured me that the smoke is normal for BMWs. I should've known better because my brother's doesn't have this problem. I was literally in love with my new bimmer.....
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09-08-2008, 08:34 AM	#5
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	No experience with it. When you take it in, the dealer can tell if any codes were logged from the service light, even if you can't see them. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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09-08-2008, 08:36 AM	#6
Couch Colonel 142 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	What color is the smoke? I'd like to see a video of this. But with 1/4 left of oil, you need to get that filled asap!
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09-08-2008, 08:43 AM	#7
Jet335i Major 186 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: '21 F96 X6MC, '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	depends on if it was black or white smoke....white is bad news bears.
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09-08-2008, 08:45 AM	#8
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	the smoke is actually white.
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09-08-2008, 10:34 AM	#9
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Ok, I made an appointment at 5pm Pacific time..... Last edited by openwheelracing; 09-12-2008 at 03:14 PM..
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09-12-2008, 03:19 PM	#10
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Today I got a call from my SA, telling me that there is a "Valve" problem. They are not sure yet, and the top tech contacted BMW to have a rep come out to take a look at it. They ran a camera into the engine and saw "moisture". They think there is a small leak. Nothing else he can tell me at this point. I wonder what the "leak" is. Coolant maybe? Even if they fix the leak, can there be more problems in the future? Last edited by openwheelracing; 09-15-2008 at 10:47 AM..
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09-12-2008, 07:48 PM	#13
3pnt4maro Long Time Lurker 22 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330I Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LaGrange, Georgia iTrader: (0)	smoke is not normal for any new car..except a diesel...good luck with it..sounds like you got some coolant in there __________________ 2006 BMW 330i-E90-14.4@96mph-Daily Driver BSM, Premium Package, Logic 7, BMS Powerbox, 19 VMR Wheels Staggered (19x9 and 19x10), 20%Tint, LED Lights, 2 Rockford Fosgate Punch P2 10's with amp in a custom setup.
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09-16-2008, 09:42 AM	#14
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	They are still waiting for the BMW rep to come out (since last Friday). Apparently they can't pin-point or diagnose the problem. They "filled it with oil" to diagnose for leak but couldn't give me answer. I have a feeling they just don't want to say too much until problem is found. Has anyone had to wait for a BMW rep to come out for engine problem? The car has a cover over the engine bay since last week and the parts are stashed aside. All the research I've done points this problem to head or head gasket leak. White smoke usually means burning coolant. This is not what I should be experiencing with a new car. I don't think I will ever feel comfortable about this car anymore. oh btw, they gave me a Chevy Aveo (or Colbalt?) as a loaner....apparently you have to reserve a BMW two weeks in advance. I know, it's a joke (but seriously, I am not kidding, they gave me an Aveo). Last edited by openwheelracing; 09-16-2008 at 12:02 PM..
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09-16-2008, 10:27 AM	#15
lipek Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 218 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	uhh sorry to hear that, good luck man __________________ [B]Electric Red/Black leather,aluminum, 6MT, sport package, 19" Beyer Multi Staggered Chrome rims/w BF Goodrich - g-Force T/A KDW (New Tread),debadged, fujita intake,muffler delete,rouge eng ssk,3000w alpine 12" sub/w 1000w alpine digital amp,smoked led tail lights.
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09-16-2008, 12:15 PM	#16
3pnt4maro Long Time Lurker 22 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330I Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LaGrange, Georgia iTrader: (0)	dang..well it may have been a bad gasket or something but still that is odd for a new car...as long as the block and the heads are fine then it will be good to go...but I will say this...once a motor is broken open for the first time they never run the same...Im sure you wont have any problems once its fixed but it wont ever be quite the same as when it came off the line __________________ 2006 BMW 330i-E90-14.4@96mph-Daily Driver BSM, Premium Package, Logic 7, BMS Powerbox, 19 VMR Wheels Staggered (19x9 and 19x10), 20%Tint, LED Lights, 2 Rockford Fosgate Punch P2 10's with amp in a custom setup.
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09-16-2008, 03:50 PM	#17
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Lesson learned, never trust any sales personnel . Got a call from my SA (great guy btw as well as the top tech). He confirms the cylinder head needs to be replaced. Somehow the coolant was leaking and the white smoke was indeed the byproduct of it. We are now waiting for parts to perform the surgery. Any consequential problem that I should be aware of? Obviously I've already gotten an engine misfire and reduce power on the freeway. I certainly hope that doesn't happen again.
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09-25-2008, 10:03 AM	#19
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Update: So my SA finally told me the car was ready yesterday. He said he parked it in front and all I had to do was go to cashier and drive off. I went in, inspected the car. Everything seems ok. Then I turned the car on, fuel is extremely low and there is a red exclamation mark as well. Yes, nail in my tire. My luck with this car continues..... I am very pissed off at this point. They better give me a new tire, not a used one. How can I tell if they give me a used one? btw, I asked to see the cracked cylinder head. The shop foreman was nice and showed it to me. There was a crack right next to a valve. It looked really bad. Amazing the car ran normal with that crack. All other cylinders were relatively clean, but this particular cylinder was dirtier with some black material.
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09-25-2008, 04:52 PM	#20
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	update: Now my SA wants me to buy the tire because they claim they don't have drywall nail in their shop. He says he can reimburse a monthly payment ($570) if I purchase the tire ($460). I wonder who is paying for this, BMW? If so, it's not good business imo.... This makes no sense to me, but I really don't have a choice here.....
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09-25-2008, 05:25 PM	#22
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	why would bmw reimburse me a month of payment for nail in my tire? especially since it's dealer's fault? I know when I turned the car on, the red "!" was on, and I see the gas was extremely low, so I drove it to the station and noticed the light wouldn't go away and drove right back to the dealer. I grabbed my SA all worried, then he sees the car and tells me it's just tire pressure.
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