White Smoke From Tailpipe

Was a little concerned when I turned on my Car this morning, it had a rough start, a cloud of white smoke came from the tailpipes, i let it idle a bit and it went back to normal not smooth but drivable. Then the Check Engine Light came on, then also the Service Light is on as well. Any Ideas? I saw a bit of a leak from the oil filter this AM as well. Going to take it in after work today, but any ideas any experience this same thing? Super Concerned....

2008-BMW 335i

Thank you in advance for your input.

take it in. Could be a slight leak in the head gasket?

Originally Posted by 07335i_sport

take it in. Could be a slight leak in the head gasket?

Do you know the price range for this sort of stuff? Ballpark?

no, sorry. But it seems straight forward.

I estimate about a $1000 to replace the head gasket.

Oil smoke usually has a slight blueish tint and smells (surprisingly) like burnt oil. It could also be leaking coolant into the combustion cylinder but this is usually a much heavier cloud (steam actually) and smells (surprisingly) like boiled coolant. Either way, service is in order.

Originally Posted by mzkgns

Was a little concerned when I turned on my Car this morning, it had a rough start, a cloud of white smoke came from the tailpipes, i let it idle a bit and it went back to normal not smooth but drivable. Then the Check Engine Light came on, then also the Service Light is on as well. Any Ideas? I saw a bit of a leak from the oil filter this AM as well. Going to take it in after work today, but any ideas any experience this same thing? Super Concerned....

Typical for a small coolant leak. Nip it now before you zap the head, much more expensive.

Here's one approach. Check pics of leaking gasket, POST #77

Is there a better DIY for head gasket R&R?

Originally Posted by The X Men

I estimate about a $1000 to replace the head gasket.

More like 2500-3000

I'm guessing it isn't the head gasket. Unless the OP goes in and says "My head gasket is leaking!" Then, after the service manager goes "ka-ching" a tech will find that the head gasket is bad.

Originally Posted by mzkgns

Was a little concerned when I turned on my Car this morning, it had a rough start, a cloud of white smoke came from the tailpipes, i let it idle a bit and it went back to normal not smooth but drivable. Then the Check Engine Light came on, then also the Service Light is on as well. Any Ideas?

Forgot to ask: Was the weather warm, i.e. this isn't startup water vapor in cool weather, and does it dissipate, i.e. is water vapor?

DSX: Rough start....excess water....not a head gasket....what are the probables?

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Forgot to ask: Was the weather warm, i.e. this isn't startup water vapor in cool weather, and does it dissipate, i.e. is water vapor?

DSX: Rough start....excess water....not a head gasket....what are the probables?

+1, I'm also interested what else it could be. The two times I've seen this personally, it was coolant leakage, and and at least one of them (my wife's car) was a cracked gasket.

I've also seen injectors flood the cylinders and do this as well.....

In fact, that is my guess. Rough start, unburnt fuel makes sense.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Forgot to ask: Was the weather warm, i.e. this isn't startup water vapor in cool weather, and does it dissipate, i.e. is water vapor?

DSX: Rough start....excess water....not a head gasket....what are the probables?

Originally Posted by Squidget

+1, I'm also interested what else it could be. The two times I've seen this personally, it was coolant leakage, and and at least one of them (my wife's car) was a cracked gasket.

Originally Posted by bigugly fab

I've also seen injectors flood the cylinders and do this as well.....

In fact, that is my guess. Rough start, unburnt fuel makes sense.

Would help to know the code(s)! OP?