NachoLibre

Sometimes e550 fart white smoke at start up and it stink. I checked other forms and people saying it's normal. I called two dealers they both said something wrong. I made appointment for next week. Hopefully nothing major.

belarus27

keep us updated pls

thefisch

I haven't noticed that with mine. How is your oil level?

KEY08

stink? Like what? Fuel, Oil, Popcorn?

NachoLibre

The oil level is ok. The car does not burn any oil yet.

NachoLibre

It stink like fuel burning. Chemicals burning

thefisch

Where is the smoke come from? Exhaust, under car, under hood, etc.

KEY08

bad catalytic converter? Do you buy high quality petrol and the right octane rating?

NachoLibre

Allways fill up 91 octane. The white smoke is only sometimes on start up, but enough to leave a white cloud.

NachoLibre

Exhaust.

Abrown3mtg

How are your coolant levels? Check your coolant/oil for cross contamination or a potential head gasket/internal issue.

What is your list of modifications? Did this start or become more noticeable after a change? What is the mileage on the vehicle? Are you running a tune or aftermarket exhaust? When is the last time you checked your spark plugs? Lastly, how does the vehicle start? seem to fire right up or lag more than usual? Any codes being thrown?

PeterUbers

It can be normal on an e63 when starting up... Running for a few seconds, shutting down then starting up again...

Never heard this to be normal on an e550 5.5n/a

mleskovar

Sounds like normal water condensation. Happens more in high humidity areas. If you do a lot of short trips you'll notice it more as well because the water doesn't get the chance to evaporate fully and builds up. I bet if you did an oil analysis it would show the presence of water.

NachoLibre

The only modification is meisterschaft catback. I never check the spark plugs. The vehicle starts fine, but 2 time it turn on and off like 4 times. The car have 58k. The car does have a annoying lag that I freaking hate. I will check the coolant level.

PeterUbers

Lol... Didn't you think this information was useful in your first post?


Good luck fixing your modded car, cheers

homeofstone

White smoke indicates water vapor. Stink may be anti-freeze/coolant. If it is anti-freeze/coolant then you may have a head gasket problem.

thefisch

Have you tried the ECU reset for the lag? Search the forum for it if you don't have the info.

NachoLibre

I have not reset the ECU. I made appointment for next weekend. I also notice the transmission is holding the 2nd or the 3rd gear longer. I will get the transmission service done at the same time.

Arrie

Like some other posters have already said it sounds like water in the cylinder(s) at start-up. This can only be engine coolant and that is what the stink most likely comes from as it burns.

This would point to the direction of head casket problem. You can look at the coolant reservoir and the appearance of the coolant color as in most cases of the head casket leak the coolant will darken. Better yet is to open the radiator cap and inspect the coolant color there as the reservoir does not necessarily see much fluid exchange with the engine. This inspection naturally when the engine is OFF.

You could also see gas bubbles coming out from the reservoir while the engine runs.