Oil problem with e46

[chino]

Happy New Year guys! Newbie here so please bear with me.:)
Neways, my ride is a '02 318i. I recently noticed though that I seem to be burning oil faster than I burn gas! There are no traces of oil in the garage, which makes me wonder where my oil went!:( During warm-ups, there is also a noticeable fume coming out of the engine bay, as well as a small amount of white smoke. Haven't consulted my mechanic yet as I decided to seek the advice of the PROs first. I know nothing about engines so any input would be greatly appreciated.

[iastute]

Hi chino...first is welcome to the BMWCCP forum and hope you enjoy your browsing...:D

To your problem, a clarification I would like to ask is what's your basis when you say your "burning oil faster than you burn gas"? Especially if you also say that there's no visible oil in the garage...

Also if you are noticing smoke in the engine bay, this definitely means some oil is leaking. maybe from the head gasket and dripping or touching the exhaust. Posting a pic would be helpful bur I'd say have your mechanic take a look at it na for any obvious signs of issues...:)

[chino]

To your problem, a clarification I would like to ask is what's your basis when you say your "burning oil faster than you burn gas"? Especially if you also say that there's no visible oil in the garage...

Thanks for the quick reply. Just before xmas, I noticed the oil lamp illuminating so I checked the oil and found out that I needed to add oil since the dipstick indicates that the oil was already in the minimum lvl (Btw, I just had my oil changed last October). So I topped up with a gallon of shell helix ultra. Twas a busy xmas and I used the car almost everyday. When I again checked the dipstick on New Year's eve, I was surprised to find out that the indicator was again in the low lvl! There is something abnormal here, right?

[iastute]

Where did you have your oil change done? Adding another gallon after an oil change sure needs some looking into. I tend to agree there's something amiss...have it checked na.

[mikeygar]

Was the car ever run while overheating? If not, my guess is that the oil and piston rings aligned, hence the blowby (white smoke).

Do a compression/leakdown test. If 1 piston shows a +/- 5% difference from the others, then for sure you have a ring problem.

[chino]

Had it done at Hanh Manila. Will have it checked as advised. Thanx.

[chino]

Was the car ever run while overheating? If not, my guess is that the oil and piston rings aligned, hence the blowby (white smoke).

Do a compression/leakdown test. If 1 piston shows a +/- 5% difference from the others, then for sure you have a ring problem.

No sir, never had an overheating experience with the car. Are these mere adjustment problems or do I have to replace any part? thx again for the help.

[mikeygar]

How about running it extended with low oil? My guess is that you have a piston with the oil ring that aligned... The piston ring and the oil ring should never align during operation. It's what keeps oil from mixing with the fuel when your engine is running.

Please read: http://www.autoeducation.com/rm_preview/pistons.htm

White smoke is telltale of blowby created by failed pistons or rings that allow the oil to seep up into the combustion chamber, mixing oil with the fuel during combustion, creating the white smoke...

Worst case is, top overhaul. But check with a good independent shop first. Proper diagnosis is your best friend now.

[jpchan]

check your spark plugs. If one or more has oily residue on it then it is as Mikey suggested. Good luck!

[chino]

thank you so much for the help kind sirs. will proceed as advised.