99S Smoking P38 Diesel......

Noticed my wagon is smoking a bit, not sure if it is the PSI powerbox. Someone suggested that a K&N style filter is needed with a chipped 2.5 BMW unit to allow it to breath properly?!? Is this right?!?

If this is not correct, can someone suggest what could be done to reduce the smoking under hard accelleration. The car has 131k on it - performace is great but is there something else I should be checking? OR as this is my first oil burner, is there anything my specialist can do to reduce / stop this?

IT is not that bad except on kick down and can be seen in car headlights at night. Hardly visiable during the daylight.

How long have you had the chip in it?

IT is not that bad except on kick down and can be seen in car headlights at night. Hardly visiable during the daylight.

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That sounds about right for this engine to me (I've had 2 of them, both did the same)

Try some Forte Advanced Diesel Treatment if you are worried, it's pretty good at cleaning up injectors.

Matt.

I have a manual '97 DSE with 155k on the clock, with a PSI box for the last 40k and have had no engine problems. I use a standard air fliter and get 31 to 35mpg. Wet weather = poor economy.
Some bad fuel fills from our local tesco means the i can't use down to the last 10/15L, 'cause she doesn't like starting

I have had the PSI in since day 3 of ownership about 7 weeks ago. I heard that because of the increase fueling the car does not get enough air in under kick down, I am still getting 30-34mpg but want to cut down the smoking, maybe allowing it to breath easier might be the solution, will get one and post the results!

I'd be interested in your findings too!

I had a Jeremy Fearn (spelling?) Re-map done on mine at purchase and although I wouldn't know any different it likes to blow a bit of smoke out the back when pushed hard too!

Mines done 59000 miles

Interesting to read that Pat mentions Tesco fuel... I used to have a Volvo T5R which really didnt like being filled up at Supermarkets, I wondered if Diesel fuel from Supermarkets would have the same qualities?

I stuck a K&N on my Volvo and to be honest I couldn't tell any difference at all (apart from the noise)

Further to the story:
Old classic car, made new fuel tank and 4 fills later only from the afore mentioned supermarket and i had to carry spare fuel filters untill i can remove and flush the tank, fuel lines and rebuild the carb.
To add insult to injury, the fuel pump on my motorbike has also packed in. On dismanteling, can you guess what I found?
Yep, you guessed it - CRUD!!!

I think i should have known better!

For comparison after a month of one supplier only, one tesco, one shell, i found the supermarket fuel false ecconomy.
Alas, in more ways than one. . .

as for the soot / smoke under heavy accelleration, it is something that can't be completely erradicated.

Blue skies

Interesting to read that Pat mentions Tesco fuel... I used to have a Volvo T5R which really didnt like being filled up at Supermarkets, I wondered if Diesel fuel from Supermarkets would have the same qualities?

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I find that no matter what diesel I've driven, Shell diesel always seems to give it a bit more oomph. Used to notice it with the van, my old Xantia and the P38. It wasn't a psychological thing because I used to wonder why the van/car etc was performing better than normal, and then I would remember that I had filled up at the Shell garage - rather than the other way around.

Personally I almost never buy supermarket fuel, usually go round the corner to the Esso garage (or Shell if I'm going the other way!) around here they are usually a match for supermarket prices, so seems pointless buying poor quality fuel when it is the same price.

I honestly don't think your P38 has any particular problem, this engine really is quite smokey under hard accelleration - they all do it! So long as during the day you don't notice excessive smoke whilst just tootling around, I wouldn't worry.

Matt.

smoke looks cool under hard driving hopefully the smoke is black?

Did you ever get that K&N and if so did it make any difference?

Gordon.

Gordomac2 said:

Did you ever get that K&N and if so did it make any difference?

Gordon.

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not yet mate, will keep you informed for when I do!


Did spend most of today recovering my A and B pillars in black cloth, they look mint, even if I do say so myself!