Smells hot - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

nitjt · 12-05-2012, 09:18 AM

I have noticed after I drive my car and park in the garage it smells like its burning oil, or running hot. There is no smoke and my temps are normal, my car has less than 25k on it and I have not noticed oil leaks. Is this normal?

cmyk · 12-05-2012, 11:27 AM

Burning oil is a pretty distinct smell. If you are smelling it I would recommend having the dealer take a look (I assume you are under warranty). Our cars have a few common oil leaks, the filter housing being the most common. Mine was leaking and it took me a while to find out as I never saw any oil under the car and wasn't noticing any oil loss over what would be reasonably expected (got the Add a Quart warning once since I've owned the car). When I dropped the plastic undercarriage liner quite a bit of oil had collected there.

millerb7 · 12-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyk

Burning oil is a pretty distinct smell. If you are smelling it I would recommend having the dealer take a look (I assume you are under warranty). Our cars have a few common oil leaks, the filter housing being the most common. Mine was leaking and it took me a while to find out as I never saw any oil under the car and wasn't noticing any oil loss over what would be reasonably expected (got the Add a Quart warning once since I've owned the car). When I dropped the plastic undercarriage liner quite a bit of oil had collected there.

Yep. I'm at 117k miles and just dropped my undercarriage for the first time... had to replace my water pump and thermostat... I was a little shocked at the oil I saw there... but after 117k miles who knows... normaly maybe. Could be a microscopic leak after that long... but anyways, I cleaned things up, wiped things down, and I'm pretty sure I have a leak in my filter housing... I think I need a new gasket.

I'm going to take the undercarriage off again this weekend (1 week after a fresh oil change and cleaning) and have another look at what I see. The oil is definitely coming from above though and dripping down (making it kind of seem like the leak may be the oil pan gasket) but I'm pretty sure it's my filter housing gasket.

nitjt · 12-05-2012, 01:40 PM

I just had it in, and they replaced fuel injectors 1-3 and one of my mufflers because of a loud rattle when I first start it up, added a quart of oil which surprised me because I just had an oil change. They said I can expect to burn oil and that I may need to add oil between oil changes. I do notice the old muffler has a ton of black exhaust soot when compared to the new one.

GoRomeo · 12-05-2012, 01:45 PM

Valve cover gasket too. I have a minor leak on my valve cover gasket but not substantial. I dont smell burnt oil either. Make sure you keep an eye on your oil level.

E90_boostjunky · 12-06-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitjt

I just had it in, and they replaced fuel injectors 1-3 and one of my mufflers because of a loud rattle when I first start it up, added a quart of oil which surprised me because I just had an oil change. They said I can expect to burn oil and that I may need to add oil between oil changes. I do notice the old muffler has a ton of black exhaust soot when compared to the new one.

do you have any video of that loud rattle? i had mine taken in for it, and they told me they didnt hear anything on cold start. heres what mine sounded like. how much did they charge u to fix the problem? thanks

1slowbmw · 12-06-2012, 02:57 AM

only when you drive it hard or always? when i drive it hard my car smells like everthings burning but its just the smell of the brakes, tires, bearings, exhaust, basicly everything that got a workout lol

Amini77 · 12-06-2012, 03:02 AM

Valve cover gasket probably, it's common issue with these engines do to the material it's made of.

BOBKUR · 12-06-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amini77

Valve cover gasket probably, it's common issue with these engines do to the material it's made of.

+1

VMRWheels · 12-06-2012, 08:45 PM

100k mark sounds about right to change head gasket anyhow.

oshusttoley · 12-06-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amini77

Valve cover gasket probably, it's common issue with these engines do to the material it's made of.

Yup, had mine done at 40k (under warranty ) dealer said it wasn't bad when they noticed it but fixed it anyway since they were slow and my warranty was running out

12-05-2012, 09:18 AM	#1
nitjt Second Lieutenant Drives: 335 xi sedan Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: dfw Posts: 213 iTrader: (4)	Smells hot I have noticed after I drive my car and park in the garage it smells like its burning oil, or running hot. There is no smoke and my temps are normal, my car has less than 25k on it and I have not noticed oil leaks. Is this normal?
	Tweet

12-05-2012, 11:27 AM	#2
cmyk resident girl. Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,004 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [4.38]	Burning oil is a pretty distinct smell. If you are smelling it I would recommend having the dealer take a look (I assume you are under warranty). Our cars have a few common oil leaks, the filter housing being the most common. Mine was leaking and it took me a while to find out as I never saw any oil under the car and wasn't noticing any oil loss over what would be reasonably expected (got the Add a Quart warning once since I've owned the car). When I dropped the plastic undercarriage liner quite a bit of oil had collected there. __________________ 2008 E90 335i // Black Everything // photos COBB tuned / QTP e-cutouts / Helix FMIC / cp-e DCI / AWE BOVs / Black M6 wheels + Toyo Proxes (and yes, I am a girl)

12-06-2012, 03:02 AM	#8
Amini77 Colonel Drives: SGM E90 330xi Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tarzana, CA Posts: 2,771 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330XI [5.00]	Valve cover gasket probably, it's common issue with these engines do to the material it's made of. __________________ Instagram: amini77

12-06-2012, 08:45 PM	#10
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 9,880 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 5 Series [3.30]	100k mark sounds about right to change head gasket anyhow. __________________ NEW WHEEL MODEL: V721 \| LIVE INVENTORY: V705 V703 V710 \| V710 PICTURE THREAD p. 714-442-7916 extension 103 \| e. kevin.a@velocitymotoring.com \| f. facebook.com/vmrwheels f. flickr.com/vmrwheels

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-05-2012, 01:40 PM	#4
nitjt Second Lieutenant Drives: 335 xi sedan Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: dfw Posts: 213 iTrader: (4)	I just had it in, and they replaced fuel injectors 1-3 and one of my mufflers because of a loud rattle when I first start it up, added a quart of oil which surprised me because I just had an oil change. They said I can expect to burn oil and that I may need to add oil between oil changes. I do notice the old muffler has a ton of black exhaust soot when compared to the new one.

12-05-2012, 01:45 PM	#5
GoRomeo Major Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,141 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [4.00]	Valve cover gasket too. I have a minor leak on my valve cover gasket but not substantial. I dont smell burnt oil either. Make sure you keep an eye on your oil level.

12-06-2012, 02:57 AM	#7
1slowbmw Private First Class Drives: BMW e90 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: LI/Bronx Posts: 106 iTrader: (0)	only when you drive it hard or always? when i drive it hard my car smells like everthings burning but its just the smell of the brakes, tires, bearings, exhaust, basicly everything that got a workout lol