Changed VCG, but still burning smell

apc3libras · 03-14-2012, 10:22 PM

I had an indy shop change the valve cover gasket a few months ago because it was leaking and I had the bad burning smell in the cabin. That smell is gone, except when I am going uphill for longer than a couple minutes. This happens in D and DS. This time it smells more like burning rubber, but there is a little of the oil smell from before. Is it possible the residue is just still burning off and when I am going uphill it is somehow leaking? Not sure why the rubber smell though.

Anyone had this issue? Thank you in advance.

MooseCaboose · 03-15-2012, 02:43 PM

check the exhaust pipes under your car, could be a plastic bag stuck to it or something.

sirantsE90 · 10-21-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apc3libras

I had an indy shop change the valve cover gasket a few months ago because it was leaking and I had the bad burning smell in the cabin. That smell is gone, except when I am going uphill for longer than a couple minutes. This happens in D and DS. This time it smells more like burning rubber, but there is a little of the oil smell from before. Is it possible the residue is just still burning off and when I am going uphill it is somehow leaking? Not sure why the rubber smell though.

Anyone had this issue? Thank you in advance.

Sorry to bring back such an old thread but did you figure this out. If your still even on here.

Or does anyone have this smell too? Just started on startup only. I'm going to clean the block this weekend to see if I have any leaks but it smells more like rubber burning than oil and only at start up... Weird since motor is cold then.

SDemetris · 10-28-2015, 01:42 PM

Check for a worn serpentine belt or tensioner. . that made a burning smell on my car until i changed it.

SDemetris · 10-28-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirantsE90

Sorry to bring back such an old thread but did you figure this out. If your still even on here.

Or does anyone have this smell too? Just started on startup only. I'm going to clean the block this weekend to see if I have any leaks but it smells more like rubber burning than oil and only at start up... Weird since motor is cold then.

forgot to quote you on the last one.... definitely check serpentine belt

sirantsE90 · 10-28-2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDemetris

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirantsE90

Sorry to bring back such an old thread but did you figure this out. If your still even on here.

Or does anyone have this smell too? Just started on startup only. I'm going to clean the block this weekend to see if I have any leaks but it smells more like rubber burning than oil and only at start up... Weird since motor is cold then.

forgot to quote you on the last one.... definitely check serpentine belt

Only on startup though? I think if it was bad it would be continuous right? Irregardless I'll check it tonight. Thanks man

Ilyas · 12-10-2015, 01:22 PM

Car is 07 328xi.
I have burnt oil smell when my car starts or if I stop suddenly/turn or nose of car dives down on speedbumps/downhill moves.
The story began couple months ago. My car showed low oil and I went to a dealership to add more oil. After visiting a dealership I've noticed erratic idle. After researching the forum, I've figured that this symptom comes from literally anything going wrong with engine.
To my surprise the fix was easy: the dealership dumbass service guy DID NOT closed the oil cap properly. I closed the cap nicely and wiped all the oil around it. However small plastic crums from oil feeder neck fell inside.
After that fix erratic idle disappeared, but the smell described above comes once in a while.
I went to another dealership thinking that oil change might help (also thinking that plastic crums might be washed away), but after changing the oil service rep said that there are no visible leaks/problems. He said that ripped cover gasket would smell all the time once engine is hot and oil is dripping on exhaust manifold, however if smell comes out even when the car is cold it should be something else.
However smell still comes back. Other threads mention leaking oil into turbos, but my engine is non-turbo.
Any advice appreciated.

03-14-2012, 10:22 PM	#1
apc3libras Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,691 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UTAH iTrader: (3) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [4.00]	Changed VCG, but still burning smell I had an indy shop change the valve cover gasket a few months ago because it was leaking and I had the bad burning smell in the cabin. That smell is gone, except when I am going uphill for longer than a couple minutes. This happens in D and DS. This time it smells more like burning rubber, but there is a little of the oil smell from before. Is it possible the residue is just still burning off and when I am going uphill it is somehow leaking? Not sure why the rubber smell though. Anyone had this issue? Thank you in advance. __________________ 2007 BMW 328I Monaco Blue /// 1999 BMW M3 Titanium Silver /// 2007 BMW 328I Sparkling Graphite (sold)
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03-15-2012, 02:43 PM	#2
MooseCaboose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 367 Posts Drives: with a doge Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	check the exhaust pipes under your car, could be a plastic bag stuck to it or something. __________________
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10-28-2015, 01:42 PM	#4
SDemetris FSAE Dude 62 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Check for a worn serpentine belt or tensioner. . that made a burning smell on my car until i changed it. __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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12-10-2015, 01:22 PM	#7
Ilyas Private First Class 14 Rep 117 Posts Drives: Pedestrian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Car is 07 328xi. I have burnt oil smell when my car starts or if I stop suddenly/turn or nose of car dives down on speedbumps/downhill moves. The story began couple months ago. My car showed low oil and I went to a dealership to add more oil. After visiting a dealership I've noticed erratic idle. After researching the forum, I've figured that this symptom comes from literally anything going wrong with engine. To my surprise the fix was easy: the dealership dumbass service guy DID NOT closed the oil cap properly. I closed the cap nicely and wiped all the oil around it. However small plastic crums from oil feeder neck fell inside. After that fix erratic idle disappeared, but the smell described above comes once in a while. I went to another dealership thinking that oil change might help (also thinking that plastic crums might be washed away), but after changing the oil service rep said that there are no visible leaks/problems. He said that ripped cover gasket would smell all the time once engine is hot and oil is dripping on exhaust manifold, however if smell comes out even when the car is cold it should be something else. However smell still comes back. Other threads mention leaking oil into turbos, but my engine is non-turbo. Any advice appreciated.
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