I have a 2001 x5 3.0ds it has started blowing out excessive white smoke while I’m driving and stopped in traffic. Does anyone have any idea what it could be and will it be safe to drive it. Got it booked in on Friday 

Hi Rachel

If you are seeing white smoke then that is suggestive of coolant being burnt (e.g. head gasket)

To be certain, check the coolant level at the same time every day (e.g. when the engine is cold in the morning, finishing work, etc) and if it hasn't gone down then its not that.

Alternatively, white smoke can be an injector fault but will need checking out by a Diesel specialist.

Keep us updated on what you find

Cheers,  Trevor

The X5 Diesel had an engine breather filter that was prone to clogging (earned its self a nick name of the bog roll filter) if your car still has one of these old filters it can cause the white smoke cold starts and after idling. Most have been changed to vortex type filters which superseded the early ones. The pre heaters can also fail giving white smoke at start though this normally clears when up to temperature 

Fingers crossed it is a simple and economical fix

Dave

Forgot about those filters Greydog surely there can't be many left driving around with them? :-)

 

Maybe it just needs a good clean? A neighbour with an X3 has just had her car Terracleaned she had white smoke at start her car has a full BMW Dealer history from new BMW told her it was due to the cars age and her low mileage (about 25 miles a day) The deep clean has fixed it, well for now anyway, she also says she is sure the car is quieter first person I know who has actual experience of it.

Heard good and bad reports on Terraclean but mostly good feedback on results .... low mileage runs on an large engine aren't good in the longterm really