discussion How much smoke is too much? Tuned BMW X5 diesel

[MLorgat]

Hey guys, Wanted to get opinions from other guys on the forum who've also tuned their B57 engines and downpiped them. How much does the car smoke, and does it bother you?

I understand they run higher fuel pressures compared to the previous Gen N57 engine, and also that a richer fuel mixture is better than a leaner fuel mixture to keep temps in check, etc, but I wanted to find out if there is such a thing as a ''smokeless tune'' on these diesel engines without compromising reliability?

If the smoke is there to stay i might as well just do a stage 2 and get that 240kw and 750nm . As it is, I'm driving like an absolute animal since I did the tune and downpipe (currently about 225kw and 650nm)

And 1 more, will a stage 2 be reliable long term, or should I leave it as is? Mileage is currently at 90k KM and was just serviced with @Clint@MMS AUTO and has no issues whatsoever. Car will be religiously serviced with Clint going forward.

 

[PsyCLown]

I never did a tune when I had my diesel but I have seen people post smokeless tunes, as for how reliable they are I have not heard of anyone experiencing issues with these tunes.

As for stage 2, provided its a good tune it should be reliable long term. You've already removed the DPF, IMO should have gone for more power initially (stage 2).
I say get it tuned again for more power, service more often and enjoy the car and the extra power! Speak to the tuner about a tune with less smoke and see what they say.

 

[Jaws]

Hey guys, Wanted to get opinions from other guys on the forum who've also tuned their B57 engines and downpiped them. How much does the car smoke, and does it bother you?

I understand they run higher fuel pressures compared to the previous Gen N57 engine, and also that a richer fuel mixture is better than a leaner fuel mixture to keep temps in check, etc, but I wanted to find out if there is such a thing as a ''smokeless tune'' on these diesel engines without compromising reliability?

If the smoke is there to stay i might as well just do a stage 2 and get that 240kw and 750nm . As it is, I'm driving like an absolute animal since I did the tune and downpipe (currently about 225kw and 650nm)

And 1 more, will a stage 2 be reliable long term, or should I leave it as is? Mileage is currently at 90k KM and was just serviced with @Clint@MMS AUTO and has no issues whatsoever. Car will be religiously serviced with Clint going forward.

Overfueling on a diesel works the opposite to a petrol. On a petrol if you overfuel it can assist with keeping temps lower.

On a diesel if you overfuel your EGTs will go very high.
Black smoke for extended periods is not good for the engine or turbo

 

[MLorgat]

When driving normally I don't see any smoke at all, it's only when I floor it that I get smoke

It seems like it's almost impossible to get a "smokeless" tune on these diesels while getting good power and removing the DPF.

Juvan offered to detune for less smoke but will get 10kw less and 60nm. Also said he doesn't recommend it.

 

[Jaws]

I installed EGT gauges on my two tuned diesel engines. I used them for towing where exhaust gas temperatures can quickly run to over 800 C

 

[AudiDriver]

I would start by logging EGT on some WOT runs and make sure they’re well clear of the upper limit.

As stated diesels do not run cooler when richer…they just make more power. The smoke you see is a result of incomplete combustion, which is wasteful and not doing your engine any favours. That is my opinion on the matter anyway. You shouldn’t see smoke from where you sit in the driver’s seat - that definitely sounds like too much smoke to me.


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[MLorgat]

I would start by logging EGT on some WOT runs and make sure they’re well clear of the upper limit.

As stated diesels do not run cooler when richer…they just make more power. The smoke you see is a result of incomplete combustion, which is wasteful and not doing your engine any favours. That is my opinion on the matter anyway. You shouldn’t see smoke from where you sit in the driver’s seat - that definitely sounds like too much smoke to me.


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I'm sure juvan @Xcede Performance will be able to give some clarity on this as he mentioned he's been tuning them for years, and I see that a lot if not, most of the forum members are tuned by him.

 

[Xcede Performance]

I would start by logging EGT on some WOT runs and make sure they’re well clear of the upper limit.

As stated diesels do not run cooler when richer…they just make more power. The smoke you see is a result of incomplete combustion, which is wasteful and not doing your engine any favours. That is my opinion on the matter anyway. You shouldn’t see smoke from where you sit in the driver’s seat - that definitely sounds like too much smoke to me.


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Hi There,

B57 runs 2500 bar rail pressure from factory as opposed to 1800 bar in the N57.

B57 smokes in stock form already. They run fairly smoke free up till 215-220wkw mark at altitude.

From 225-240wkw you can expect some noticeable smoke under WOT as the injection rates are a lot higher.

We've done around 70-80 B57's in the country and have datalogs to back this up.

The strength of the B57 is actually the fueling system since it's equipped with a smaller turbo than the N57 variant.


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