BMW Repair: smoking BMW, don carpenter, oil leaks


Question
I have an "86 bmw 325i that has started emitting white smoke from the tail pipe when you start the car.  At times it will idle a little rough but runs really well when warmed up.  Could this be dirty fuel injection.  The car is not driven very much and never more than 10 miles at any time.  Could it be carbon build up.  The car has 220,000 miles on it.  Any advise you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Don Carpenter  

Answer
my best guess would be a leaking valveguide.  When leaving the car for a few minutes the oil leaks into the cylinders and causes a momentary cloud of smoke.  the best thing you could do for this is get new valveguides and have them pressed in at a machine shop.  otherwise accept it as normal and attempt to run injector cleaner through it every 20-30000 miles to get the oil residue out unless you normally take it for extended trips where it can be burned off.
-cheers