Brief gas smell on cold start in freezing temp

BoostaVita · 01-25-2013, 11:44 PM

Recently as temperature dip (around 19F), brief gas smell (less than 2 sec) in cabin occur when cold start after car sit for a day. no SES light or shadow codes under BT tool. What can cause this? leak of injectors, injector fuel lines, or valve cover gasket? What would happen if I ignore this and smell disappear when it gets warmer?
Also, does anyone know how to evaluate injectors functionality with BT tools? I wish there is a BT tool forum, if so please let me know.
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help on this matter.

135Hoser · 01-26-2013, 12:23 AM

most likely, rich mixture on startup, with a little bit of wind blowing it back into the cabin.

BoostaVita · 01-26-2013, 11:35 AM

Thanks. Hopefully that's the only reason. keeping my fingers crossed.

kpjo4 · 01-26-2013, 06:40 PM

Startups are always rich, since you smell only on startup and since cranking takes a rich ratio this sounds normal to me.

akotten · 01-27-2013, 12:35 AM

Definitely just the nature of a rich start-up. Especially at that temperature. Its more noticeable without cats too ;-)

BMWN54tech · 01-27-2013, 10:05 AM

Rich startup. The vehicle is trying to warm the cats to full functionality within the government mandated timeframe. To do this it just dumps fuel into the exhaust like a mofo.

BoostaVita · 01-27-2013, 07:42 PM

Appreciate the inputs. There's no longer any smell on startup. Extreme weather is really a true test for the car, but turbos are loving the cold air!

sickem · 01-28-2013, 05:25 AM

19F is extreme weather?!

BoostaVita · 01-28-2013, 09:07 AM

haha, you're right. good catch. It probably is though to my 'used but never abused' car (123K miles).

sickem · 01-28-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossimo

haha, you're right. good catch. It probably is though to my 'used but never abused' car (123K miles).

Madill21 · 01-28-2013, 07:03 PM

Where I'm originally from it hit -42F last week.
I'm sure a lot of my other Canadians can attest to that! Although even the ones living in Toronto or further south don't see the temps where I'm from.

It's be interesting to see how the n54 works in that kind of "extreme weather"

I do love living in the Georgia now! Lol

01-25-2013, 11:44 PM	#1
BoostaVita Private First Class 13 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: autobahn iTrader: (0)	Brief gas smell on cold start in freezing temp Recently as temperature dip (around 19F), brief gas smell (less than 2 sec) in cabin occur when cold start after car sit for a day. no SES light or shadow codes under BT tool. What can cause this? leak of injectors, injector fuel lines, or valve cover gasket? What would happen if I ignore this and smell disappear when it gets warmer? Also, does anyone know how to evaluate injectors functionality with BT tools? I wish there is a BT tool forum, if so please let me know. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help on this matter.
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01-26-2013, 12:23 AM	#2
135Hoser Banned 39 Rep 315 Posts Drives: '16 m4 zcp Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Canada, Eh iTrader: (0)	most likely, rich mixture on startup, with a little bit of wind blowing it back into the cabin.
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01-26-2013, 11:35 AM	#3
BoostaVita Private First Class 13 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: autobahn iTrader: (0)	Thanks. Hopefully that's the only reason. keeping my fingers crossed.
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01-26-2013, 06:40 PM	#4
kpjo4 Jo Who? JOYU! 31 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2010 335ic Crimson Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Centex iTrader: (1)	Startups are always rich, since you smell only on startup and since cranking takes a rich ratio this sounds normal to me.
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01-27-2013, 12:35 AM	#5
akotten Major 38 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wichita, KS iTrader: (2)	Definitely just the nature of a rich start-up. Especially at that temperature. Its more noticeable without cats too ;-) __________________ 2004 E46 M3 \| Imola Red on Cinnamon \| Slicktop \| Manual Seats \| 6spd MT \|
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01-27-2013, 10:05 AM	#6
BMWN54tech Private 4 Rep 63 Posts Drives: e92 335. Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Rich startup. The vehicle is trying to warm the cats to full functionality within the government mandated timeframe. To do this it just dumps fuel into the exhaust like a mofo. __________________ BMW master tech 2010 E92 335i 6-speed 25k miles. - For sale. 1989 E30 325i coupe 5-speed DD
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01-27-2013, 07:42 PM	#7
BoostaVita Private First Class 13 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: autobahn iTrader: (0)	Appreciate the inputs. There's no longer any smell on startup. Extreme weather is really a true test for the car, but turbos are loving the cold air!
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01-28-2013, 05:25 AM	#8
sickem Freude am fahren 71 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: E90 N54 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [6.50]	19F is extreme weather?! __________________ Cobb E40 PROtune by Jake@PTF/RR catless DPs/aFe DCI/ETS 5" FMIC/ER CP/Forge DVs/Alpina B3 TCU flash/BMW Perf. Exhaust./BMW Performance Style 313s/M-Tech Rear
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01-28-2013, 09:07 AM	#9
BoostaVita Private First Class 13 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: autobahn iTrader: (0)	haha, you're right. good catch. It probably is though to my 'used but never abused' car (123K miles).
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01-28-2013, 07:03 PM	#11
Madill21 Private 15 Rep 79 Posts Drives: '08 335i - BMS DCI, JB4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dallas, Ga iTrader: (0)	Where I'm originally from it hit -42F last week. I'm sure a lot of my other Canadians can attest to that! Although even the ones living in Toronto or further south don't see the temps where I'm from. It's be interesting to see how the n54 works in that kind of "extreme weather" I do love living in the Georgia now! Lol __________________ J.D. 2008 335i - JB4 / BMS DCI / Premium Package / Sport Package / 6AT
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