help needed ! new to forum

[m3f_martymcfly]

Hey all. A friend of mine has a 1997 m3 convertible. He is a bit concerned as when he accelerates hard as he gets towards the top of the rev range the car starts to smoke from the exhaust. It has a plume of smoke as he changes gear and then it clears again. Any ideas as to what this may be?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Sounds like he drives the car hard. Looks like oil is getting into the cylindars, probably from worn out piston rings.

[m3f_martymcfly]

a compression test would show this wouldnt it? if so may be the next step to take.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

Hey all. A friend of mine has a 1997 m3 convertible. He is a bit concerned as when he accelerates hard as he gets towards the top of the rev range the car starts to smoke from the exhaust. It has a plume of smoke as he changes gear and then it clears again. Any ideas as to what this may be?



Sounds like oil control rings are worn.

[m3f_95blkbimm3_9842002abc]

or head gasket, or too much oil

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Compression check, and if that does not turn out well, go for a leak down test to see where the leaks are.

[m3f_Ty Vil_fe6451789c]

It sounds to me like this is going to cost him alot of $$$.

[m3f_m3fuz_1da011f372]

It sounds to me like this is going to cost him alot of $$$.





Yep, but the first thing to do is to get a compression or leakdown test. Doing so may be able to pinpoint the problem so he doesn't start replacing things unnecessarily.



Good luck.

[m3f_dets01]

i've never worked on an M before, but i'll tell you one thing. Changing piston rings is a real PITA.



When you do a compression test, do a wet down test too, just to make sure.

[m3f_Ty Vil_fe6451789c]

Wet down test. That sounds like more fun with my girlfriend then my car.

[m3f_wsmc831_097c0cf94a]

97? what country is he in....98,99 only year for verts in US.



white smoke, head gasket

black smoke, rings or valve guides..



most likely