Coolant leak in sensor in the center of the photo
I’ve read several of the white smoke exhaust threads but haven’t found anything similar to my wife’s R60 issues. She’s got a 2013 Countryman JCW with just over 102,000 miles. She recently blew a tire, and while waiting for the tow truck in over 90 degree heat, she sat sat idling for over an hour. The tow driver towed her home and she parked it, where it sat for over a week, since I was out of town on a PCH motorcycle trip with my brothers.

When I got home she had 2 issues. 1 the battery was dead, and 2 when I changed the tire and she started off for work, she came back within 15 minutes with white smoke coming out of the exhaust. When I checked it out, it smelled very acrid (almost as if there was some melted plastic or electrical issues). I used to be an F16 electrician in the Air Force, so I’ve smelled some pretty odd electrical system smells before, but this was coming just from the white exhaust exhaust smoke and nowhere else that I could tell.

Ive checked both the oil, which was down approx 1/2 a quart (but looked just like honey without any water in it) and the coolant which was almost completely topped off. I did however notice that there was coolant coming from what looked like a sensor in what I think is the thermostat housing. (I’ll try to attach a photo)

My thought was that the thermostat might not be opening, but I really have no idea right now. Also, it’s not triggered any check engine light (although for full disclosure, she’s got a brake pad service light, so I’m not sure if that wouldn’t allow any other lights to come on until the pads/sensor are changed)

Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated!...especially since she’s been putting miles on my F-150 till I get hers back up and running! LOL

 

The leak looks like it is in the metal elbow between a couple of hoses. That was a common source of leaks. So common that a new hose was introduced that eliminates the elbow. The sensor was relocated to the thermostat housing. Since the elbow is no longer available, you would have to replace the thermostat housing and install the new hose that eliminates the metal elbow. Another option: some guys have had luck sealing the leak. There is at least one thread (in the R60 forum, I think) that discusses the product and procedure they used.

 

Thanks for the reply dmath! I’ll certainly be upgrading to the new housing/hoses. Any idea if that may be causing the smoke?...I would have thought it would be a sweeter smell if it was coolant but not sure about the BMW brand coolant...thx!

 

When my car developed a leak in the same place, there was no smoke. I’d be surprised if that’s the cause.

 

Gotcha thanks!...I might look at the PCV valve next...

 

Mr. Grumpy has a great thread on replacing the PCV valve diaphragm. It's in the Gen 2 Stock Problems forum.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded,

In the end I remembered that my work truck (an F-350) often had to clean out the catalytic converter if it sat running at idle for extended periods, so I ran it around the neighborhood for about 20 minutes and the white smoke and odor cleared right up. It’s running like new now and all I’ve done since is have the fuel system flushed and it’s got every bit of power it had when new.

Thanks and happy motoring!

Brad