The smoke test shows you have leaks in your intake system allowing unmetered air to enter. This would cause a classic lean condition. If you were to perform an OBDII scan, you would likely find your short term and long term fuel trims to be high. It may even be possible that you have lean codes now - have you scanned for codes lately?I've recently been having drivability issues with my 2002 330i. Performance is extremely sluggish, rough idle the whole nine yards. replaced the fuel filter and changed nothing besides a bump in mpg. My buddy did a smoke test, and this is the result. I've never posted a video on here, so I'm going to include a link to my YouTube short. What's your guys' opinion?
My questions are: would the places it's leaking from cause these issues? He told me to replace the valve cover with gaskets and the CCV system.
smoke test e46
It's good to rule out fuel delivery problems as a potential cause. Since you mentioned a rough idle and sluggish performance, there could be several other factors contributing to these symptoms.I've recently been having drivability issues with my 2002 330i. Performance is extremely 192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1 sluggish, rough idle the whole nine yards. replaced the fuel filter and changed nothing besides a bump in mpg. My buddy did a smoke test, and this is the result. I've never posted a video on here, so I'm going to include a link to my YouTube short. What's your guys' opinion?
My questions are: would the places it's leaking from cause these issues? He told me to replace the valve cover with gaskets and the CCV system.
smoke test e46
Leak is above the gasket -- around the spark plug seal or cracked VC. Call the Fire Department.Now THAT'S a smoke test! VCG is a good bet........
Interesting ... Is that booster hose pivot not a real leak when under vacuum (vs the positive pressure from a smoke machine)?Rubber seals around plugs well, that is it. Disregard the light smoke on driver's side - it is jet pump for brake booster, and is normal to see some traces of smoke. the joint on the pump allows to rotate booster hoes. There is no seal or anything in there, so just disregard. It really doesn't contribute any air into system. Just replace valve cover seal and run test again as stated to ensure there is no leak from under manifold.
As smoke test creates positive pressure , it might show some leak signs like one with that pump. Or, as example, running smoke test on my engine will show slight leak from under oil cap. In real conditions it is negative pressure and cap pressed firmly to the neck. So unless there is obvious level of leak, I would really leave it.Interesting ... Is that booster hose pivot not a real leak when under vacuum (vs the positive pressure from a smoke machine)?
I've seen minor smoke from there once (less than what OP showed), but it didn't reappear on subsequent smoke tests and that car had good fuel trim numbers so I left it alone.
New valve cover and gasket is coming. I’m going to leave the leak near the booster. What’s your personal opinion, do you think the level of the leak that I have could cause this performance loss?Rubber seals around plugs well, that is it. Disregard the light smoke on driver's side - it is jet pump for brake booster, and is normal to see some traces of smoke. the joint on the pump allows to rotate booster hoes. There is no seal or anything in there, so just disregard. It really doesn't contribute any air into system. Just replace valve cover seal and run test again as stated to ensure there is no leak from under manifold.
As long as there is no leaks anywhere else, that one on jet pump isn't really an issue. It won't give you any trouble, it won't be any vacuum leak, not from there. Nevertheless you should run another test after gasket replacement.New valve cover and gasket is coming. I’m going to leave the leak near the booster. What’s your personal opinion, do you think the level of the leak that I have could cause this performance loss?
Yup I ordered the grommets as well. Hopefully this fixes the issue as the leak in the VC was massiveAs long as there is no leaks anywhere else, that one on jet pump isn't really an issue. It won't give you any trouble, it won't be any vacuum leak, not from there. Nevertheless you should run another test after gasket replacement.
One thing for that job - you have to order new rubber grommets - 15 pcs part No 11 12 1 437 395 - bolts push the cover trough them. If they are old and deformed (and they 100% are) there won't be right force to evenly puch gasket. And you cannot tight those bolts more as they have short tread. New gasket will have enough height to seal the cover, but it won't be right forse and it will shorten the live of the gasket.
Is there a way I can alert the whole thread of my update?Once you have replaced what you think is causing a leak, smoke it again, you will likely find other leaks.
Just post your update...Anyone who viewed the the thread, will see a notification in the upper right... This assumes a viewer is logged in, and not simply viewing as a guest...Is there a way I can alert the whole thread of my update?
