Eating oil

[Scorpius]

I have a 2004 zhp, original owner, 256k on her :-) and get this....original clutch :-0

So she's getting old, eats a quart of oil about every week or two which is about 500-800 miles for me.
Occasionally she throws codes, but usually nothing noticeably different in how she runs so I either reset them or drive another week and they magically disappear. Rarely when they throw she runs a little rough, but if i get into the revs with her it seems to resolve itself (burning off excess fuel or oil ?)
So latest codes I checked were

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/16/af2a5ff72d82483615f738238e601795.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/16/fc840e5941e70bb2f01b9391808182ea.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/16/ba66aa4735a97df5d3bee45496ad099e.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/16/d4ea64c100f02c4289cf68bcc2ab1160.jpg

So she's obviously eating oil, there are no visible leaks in usual spots and when I rev her she does put out some black/grey smoke. I assume this could be anything from piston rings to head to valve leaks.
Should I run her in and pay $150 for the diagnosis at the dealer ? Local shops just throw out she's old replace the engine.
I hear there are some tests in the meter I could look at to help identify the culprit but I know zero about the reader or understanding the indicators and values beyond reading the codes that flip.
Any advice / ideas on the issue?
Or just run her fill oil often and shoot for another 50-100k until clutch or engine take a dump on me?

[KevinC]

Sounds like you want to keep the car. I'd go shopping for a replacement motor from a boneyard. Find something <100k miles for cheap, swap it in, do the clutch at the same time since you're in there anyways, and drive another 150k+ miles of smiles. Beats the shit out of a new car payment!

[danewilson77]

I've had those codes more than once on my car.

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[ELCID86]

Codes are probs a vacuum leak. Start with upper and lower intake boots. Will a catch can help with oil consumption?


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[slater]

how's your CCV system? i was surprised by how a clogged system can make the car consume oil.

switching to a catch can system, for me, means zero oil usage.

peter

[Scorpius]

how's your CCV system? i was surprised by how a clogged system can make the car consume oil.

switching to a catch can system, for me, means zero oil usage.

peter

I changed that out a few months back for the 2nd time of the life of the car. When I removed the oil cap car stumbled denoting it wasn't working. It was oily inside when I broke the old one apart.
What's this catch can system? Direct replacement or backyard fix? Hadn't heard or seen this one before.
As for codes, how can I check for leaks? Besides visual which I've checked and see nothing obvious....

[ELCID86]

There is a thread or two here on catch can installs.

Codes and associated leaks can be a B to find. Several threads on e46f (and probably here) that can point you in the right direction.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[Scorpius]

Believe I found the issue. Cleaned my MAF and my kn filter which was pretty dirty. Average mileage went from 23-24 and is now 25.8.
No light yet at 55 miles since reset. Normally it's on by about 42.
Keeping fingers crossed. I gotta pass that emissions :-)

[ryankokesh]

Good luck!

For future reference, German Auto Solutions is working on a pretty slick-looking serviceable CCV (https://www.germanautosolutions.com/bmw_solutions/ccv_products/m54_gas_ccv/product_m54_ccv.php).

That bad boy's already been replaced twice on mine, so I have a feeling something like this is in my future.

[slater]

Good luck!

For future reference, German Auto Solutions is working on a pretty slick-looking serviceable CCV (https://www.germanautosolutions.com/bmw_solutions/ccv_products/m54_gas_ccv/product_m54_ccv.php).

yeah, they've been 'working' on that for a few years now. i would love to see it come to fruition, though, because i would buy one!

peter

[BMWCurves]

That GAS unit looks nice, but if it's been in development for years I won't hold my breath. I'm still considering a catch can solution down the road.

[slater]

That GAS unit looks nice, but if it's been in development for years I won't hold my breath. I'm still considering a catch can solution down the road.

that's what i'm using. it works very well. i implemented mine in a non-destructive way - i could go back to the stock CCV configuration at any time... but this works so well. my ONLY issue is the same thing that plagues the stock CCV - it can freeze in the winter. i am working on a heater/heating pad solution for the catch can (it's metal) so that it never freezes. depending on the temps generated by the heating pad, it could potentially work on the stock CCV too.

peter

[Scorpius]

109.6 miles today and no check engine light!!! I think it's safe to say the computer has reset! Now to get to the emissions place ASAP !
Amazing dirty filter and or MAF can throw so many codes.

[BMWCurves]

that's what i'm using. it works very well. i implemented mine in a non-destructive way - i could go back to the stock CCV configuration at any time... but this works so well. my ONLY issue is the same thing that plagues the stock CCV - it can freeze in the winter. i am working on a heater/heating pad solution for the catch can (it's metal) so that it never freezes. depending on the temps generated by the heating pad, it could potentially work on the stock CCV too.

peter

You made a your own kit, right? Not a plug and play kit from a manufacturer?


109.6 miles today and no check engine light!!! I think it's safe to say the computer has reset! Now to get to the emissions place ASAP !
Amazing dirty filter and or MAF can throw so many codes.

Nice, hope it stays CEL free

[slater]

You made a your own kit, right? Not a plug and play kit from a manufacturer?

yep. it's extremely easy to replicate, i think the total cost was around $110 - but the X factor in the price is what catch can you use. i actually have a nicer one sitting on the shelf, it will go in soon. it is the 42DraftDesigns unit, it has a drain valve.

peter

[Scorpius]

Wouldn't you friggen know it. 210 miles since reset and on way to emissions damn light came on again. 420 and 430 codes. Arrrrrrggggg

[ELCID86]

Sorry Scorp. I think that's about the right mileage the computer needs...


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[danewilson77]

Damn. You're not alone.

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[Scorpius]

Got my scan tool with me I thought they reset around 50-100. Once I see active scan I'm heading straight to it for emissions test. Car seems to run fine with light just burns oil and occasionally will stumble for a second. I'm scared some idiot will read my codes and tell me I need $2k + worth of work done to it. And when they finally do fix it the real culprit is a $20 part

[Dr Dynamite]

Got my scan tool with me I thought they reset around 50-100. Once I see active scan I'm heading straight to it for emissions test. Car seems to run fine with light just burns oil and occasionally will stumble for a second. I'm scared some idiot will read my codes and tell me I need $2k + worth of work done to it. And when they finally do fix it the real culprit is a $20 part
Are you in Southern California?

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[Scorpius]

No south Atlanta

[johnrando]

Are you in Southern California?

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I have a scan tool and PA-Soft if you need some code reading. I'm in the South Bay.