M3 Water Damage?

vtm3 · 12-27-2012, 06:25 AM

I accidently hit a slightly deep puddle yesterday. A small puff of white smoke went up, which I did not think was a problem. The car ran as normal and seems to be running fine now. When I returned home, the car had a strange smell and when checking under the hood, oil has sprayed everywhere. Any thoughts? If the water was too deep and had caused engine damage, wouldn't it run poorly if at all?

kotik · 12-27-2012, 07:05 AM

Where did the oil come from? oil cap wasn't tight? If your oil cap wasn't tight, then my advice is:
Drive the car for a few hours on the highway. This will let things dry out and air out. There shouldn't be much damage.

vtm3 · 12-27-2012, 08:09 AM

The oil came from the cap. It was on as normal, but that is definitely where the oil came from. I'm speculating just enough water hit somewhere to cause extra pressure and oil leaked causing white puff of smoke. If it caused damage would I get some indication from the cars warning lights?

Rshane · 12-27-2012, 08:41 AM

White puff of smoke was likely water flashing to steam as it hit your exhaust components. Oil may have been there for a while and you just noticed it because you were looking for signs of some type of damage. Had your motor ingested enough water to cause damage (hydro lock) the car would have immediately stopped running. Oil spray under the hood is a common problem with these cars from a poorly designed oil filler cap/user error.

1sikbmr · 12-27-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rshane

White puff of smoke was likely water flashing to steam as it hit your exhaust components. Oil may have been there for a while and you just noticed it because you were looking for signs of some type of damage. Had your motor ingested enough water to cause damage (hydro lock) the car would have immediately stopped running. Oil spray under the hood is a common problem with these cars from a poorly designed oil filler cap/user error.

+1 on every point

vtm3 · 12-27-2012, 09:13 AM

That's what I thought and was hoping to hear! Thanks

passing · 12-27-2012, 10:00 AM

to be sure.. check the bottom of the oil cap for a milky substance which will suggest your engine ingested water.

though i doubt that.

Rshane · 12-27-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passing

to be sure.. check the bottom of the oil cap for a milky substance which will suggest your engine ingested water.

though i doubt that.

Good advice but, I also doubt that. It would be quite hard to force water up the air vent, past the air filter and into the intake without submerging the car over the hoodline. You could stick a hose up the air passage or down the hood vent and water would not make it past the filter Into the motor. Cars are designed for eventualities such as this.

///M Power-Belgium · 12-27-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtm3

I accidently hit a slightly deep puddle yesterday. A small puff of white smoke went up, which I did not think was a problem. The car ran as normal and seems to be running fine now. When I returned home, the car had a strange smell and when checking under the hood, oil has sprayed everywhere. Any thoughts? If the water was too deep and had caused engine damage, wouldn't it run poorly if at all?

I had the same problem as you...THE OIL CAP LEAK !!!
Here the solution.....replace your oil cap with the new type oil cap !
Old part nr ; 11127832157
New part nr; 11128507153
When i replaced my oil cap..the leak was done...resolved

See link to this oil leak problem v v v
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=704497

vtm3 · 01-04-2013, 07:56 PM

I cleaned it all up and ordered the newer oil cap and the e46 oil cap. I had oil leaks while waiting for my shipment. Nothing crazy like the explosion I had, but definetly more than normal. I put the e46 on and wiped off the leaks and not a drop has leaked. I have the other one as back up, but that seams to be a good fix!!!

12-27-2012, 06:25 AM	#1
vtm3 Private First Class Drives: 08 aw/cf m3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	M3 Water Damage? I accidently hit a slightly deep puddle yesterday. A small puff of white smoke went up, which I did not think was a problem. The car ran as normal and seems to be running fine now. When I returned home, the car had a strange smell and when checking under the hood, oil has sprayed everywhere. Any thoughts? If the water was too deep and had caused engine damage, wouldn't it run poorly if at all?
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12-27-2012, 08:41 AM	#4
Rshane M-Flight Member Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany Posts: 1,061 iTrader: (0)	White puff of smoke was likely water flashing to steam as it hit your exhaust components. Oil may have been there for a while and you just noticed it because you were looking for signs of some type of damage. Had your motor ingested enough water to cause damage (hydro lock) the car would have immediately stopped running. Oil spray under the hood is a common problem with these cars from a poorly designed oil filler cap/user error. __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue M3// Black extended Novillo w/ Blue Grey Aluminum trim/DCT/ZTP/ZCW/ZPP/ZCP Premium Sound ///Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust 2012 Le Mans Blue 135i M Pkg DCT 2008 Brilliant Red Audi TT 3.2 Quattro 6M

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12-27-2012, 07:05 AM	#2
kotik Lieutenant Drives: e90 M3 ESS 575 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 478 iTrader: (0)	Where did the oil come from? oil cap wasn't tight? If your oil cap wasn't tight, then my advice is: Drive the car for a few hours on the highway. This will let things dry out and air out. There shouldn't be much damage.

12-27-2012, 08:09 AM	#3
vtm3 Private First Class Drives: 08 aw/cf m3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	The oil came from the cap. It was on as normal, but that is definitely where the oil came from. I'm speculating just enough water hit somewhere to cause extra pressure and oil leaked causing white puff of smoke. If it caused damage would I get some indication from the cars warning lights?

12-27-2012, 09:13 AM	#6
vtm3 Private First Class Drives: 08 aw/cf m3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	That's what I thought and was hoping to hear! Thanks

12-27-2012, 10:00 AM	#7
passing hey Drives: caprice wagon Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: cruisin down the street in my '64 Posts: 321 iTrader: (4)	to be sure.. check the bottom of the oil cap for a milky substance which will suggest your engine ingested water. though i doubt that.

01-04-2013, 07:56 PM	#10
vtm3 Private First Class Drives: 08 aw/cf m3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	I cleaned it all up and ordered the newer oil cap and the e46 oil cap. I had oil leaks while waiting for my shipment. Nothing crazy like the explosion I had, but definetly more than normal. I put the e46 on and wiped off the leaks and not a drop has leaked. I have the other one as back up, but that seams to be a good fix!!!