Hi guys,

I now have a E36 Touring 323i,

I had a 'friend' map the car which has caused me no ends of trouble.

First the maf had decided to disintegrate, then the cat broke up and blocked my centre pipe.

So I have installed a new maf, had the cat and centre pipe removed (as its only going to be a track car) and had the original map put back on the car.

I have one last issue I cannot seem to fix.

On over run when I let off the throttle I get plenty of white smoke come out the exhaust.

I have been to a BMW specialist who says that is some air cannister underneath the inlet manifold.

Problem is I have never heard of anything like this, I can only assume that he means some kind of vacuum or something.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me please?

Thank you.

Never heard of that either ! White smoke is steam unless its very pale blue, which means oil !!

Having no Cat throws the ECU, the lambdas would have identical signals "pre" and "post" because the ECU doesn't know its not there lol ! Needs connecting to OBDII to sort the lambda's and resetting - maybe remapping :(

Cheers for the reply dude.

I took the car down to the garage I work at and got one of the guys to rev it up and it is more blue than white.

Plugged it into our diagnostic machine, O2 sensors where throwing a wobbly.

Re adapted everything and it runs a lot better now.

Also after inspection found out that the thing the guy was talking about is the crankcase ventilation valve.

So ordered that and the hoses as well as a new O2 sensor just to be sure :).

Hopefully should all be sorted soon.

Hahaha canister on oposite side for engine for breather hoses to filter-down oil molecules verses air LOL

Huh?

That confused me? lol.

Its OK matey, just me spinning off from a tangent trying to explain a components duty !!

The "blueish" smoke would be from the turbo :( Has it disappeared?

Oh haha cheers, always good to understand how stuff works.

No turbo dude E36 323. When we were fiddling with the valve the engine revs dropped and got a bit lumpy and then when we let go it was fine and no smoke until I picked the revs right up again.

So just going to replace it. Even if it doesn't solve the problem it probably needs changing anyway. Just hope its not lifters or rings. Already trying to build one engine to go in my Coupe lol.

Sorry, my bad... Was answering a turbo related question a few moments ago...

Yes, poor engine-breathing will produce blueish smoke - a blocked hose or full cannister will force oil back into the cylinders to reburn it causing the colouration ;)

Wicked, cheers again dude.

At least I know I'm heading in the right direction.

Quick update,

I finally got round to ordering the crankcase ventilation valve and hoses. All fitted and car runs much nicer and still a tiny bit of smoke but I'm sure that will clear up once its had a good run.