Heads up: Smoke from Engine Bay from Heating Element

DESI4life10 · 10-25-2012, 09:51 AM

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to give the community a heads up on on a recent issue I had. I am hoping this thread will help others that might be in a similar situation.

I was heading out for work in the morning when I noticed a burning smell coming from the vents. I immediately popped open the hood and noticed a very thick white smoke coming from the intake side of the car. At that time, I couldn't tell where it was coming from as the smoke was everywhere, but luckily when I shut the car off, the smoke went away (right away I though something shorted/electrical failure).

As the smoke cleared out, I started to do some investigation and was surprised at what was the cause of the small fire.
Our cars have a pcv line that runs from the crankcase to the intake manifold. The main line that runs in the center of the manifold has a heating element to prevent any blockages of the air entering the manifold.

The part looks like this (from ecs tuning)

P/N: 11617561408

It is item number 7 in the picture below:

All NA cars have this heater element.

The dealer informed me that the element had some kind of internal short, that sparked a small fire inside the manifold. Even though I acted very fast to minimize the damage, the element still managed to burn a hole in my manifold.

I wanted to just make people aware of this problem if it ever happens to you. This is probably a one off kind of issue, but had I not act fast, this could have become a very serious problem.

This element turns on even with the ignition on but engine off. So I had to disconnect the wire that plugs into the connector. Because it was just a heating element, it was okay to drive the car (to move it for towing).

Car is being repaired right now. But I was shocked to see the kind of damage a small connector could do.

Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. But if it does, be sure to not have the engine on or ignition on/engine off as it will turn on that element (if you noticed something burning in that area).

Phil325i · 10-25-2012, 12:08 PM

I think you should report this to your country's vehicle safety authority as there may be unexplained BMW fires out there that this would provide the solution. And maybe a recall...

andrey_gta · 10-25-2012, 07:21 PM

Wow, this is alarming. I was just looking at that part during my manifold swap and thought what is it and if it will ever be defective. Swaped my cars part on to the disa.

Hope your 28ix is back in its wheels soon

Revision2 · 10-25-2012, 08:56 PM

Whoa. Thanks for the info, although it's making me a tad paranoid now haha. It does sound like one of those freak failures. Glad to hear that it was relatively minor damage as I'm sure it could have been a lot worse if you didn't react as quickly as you did. What are you doing about the manifold since it got damaged? Put back your original one until you can get another 3-stage?

andrey_gta · 10-26-2012, 07:52 AM

He really just needs a 3 stage manifold shelll, his DISA should be still okay

DESI4life10 · 10-26-2012, 08:19 AM

Thanks guys.

I'll keep you posted with the details once I get the car back today. I got everything under control ;-)

mapleridge · 10-26-2012, 10:14 PM

sorry to hear that. thanks for the heads up.

DESI4life10 · 10-26-2012, 11:28 PM

Just an update.

I got the car back today from the dealership. I'll post more details tomorrow or so with pictures of the damage. It isn't as bad as I thought. The hole in the manifold is actually right where the heating element connecter attaches to. Nothing like plasti-aid can't fix. I might repair it and just keep it or sell it cheap. I will see once I fix it up.

Dealer installed a new 3 stage manifold for me following a new vent hose as well and the connector.

Car is back to normal and feels great.

The heating element definately melted on one side (where the electrical connection is).

Revision2 · 10-28-2012, 08:46 AM

Thanks for the update. Was this covered under a warranty? I would imagine a new manifold and Labour would cost a bit otherwise. Hmm..let me know what you decide to do with your old 3 stage cause it almost sounds like cosmetic damage only and nothing else got damaged once they took it off and inspected.

RazRokz.! · 04-01-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESI4life10

Just an update.

I got the car back today from the dealership. I'll post more details tomorrow or so with pictures of the damage. It isn't as bad as I thought. The hole in the manifold is actually right where the heating element connecter attaches to. Nothing like plasti-aid can't fix. I might repair it and just keep it or sell it cheap. I will see once I fix it up.

Dealer installed a new 3 stage manifold for me following a new vent hose as well and the connector.

Car is back to normal and feels great.

The heating element definately melted on one side (where the electrical connection is).

Sadly, this actually just happened to me about an hour ago. Did any other parts have to get replaced besides the manifold and the heating element? My damage was a little worse than yours . I had an open flame when I opened my hood. Melted into the manifold from the looks of it

Phil325i · 04-01-2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Sadly, this actually just happened to me about an hour ago. Did any other parts have to get replaced besides the manifold and the heating element? My damage was a little worse than yours . I had an open flame when I opened my hood. Melted into the manifold from the looks of it

See my post #2. Guys you owe it to us to draw this to the attention of the vehicle safety authorities in your country. Otherwise BMW will deny the issue for ever and a day...

RazRokz.! · 04-01-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

See my post #2. Guys you owe it to us to draw this to the attention of the vehicle safety authorities in your country. Otherwise BMW will deny the issue for ever and a day...

I have a unique situation in regards to that. The car is registered stateside in Kansas. However, I'm currently stationed in Europe and the car is here with me. How would I go about reporting this?

manuelgdamas@gmail.com · 08-21-2018, 06:39 PM

This just happened to me last week in my 2007 e91. Scary because the fire took out the PVC pipe from the vacuum pump and I lost the bake booster pressure and brakes. So heating element, wiring harness and PVC vacuum hose all got damaged. I am glad my wife wasn't driving.

manuelgdamas@gmail.com · 08-21-2018, 06:44 PM

Great just realized there is a recall for this..

GoRomeo · 08-21-2018, 06:45 PM

Thank you for sharing. I see another Recall coming soon...

chris82 · 08-30-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Thank you for sharing. I see another Recall coming soon...

which is that? in addition to PCV?

PhaseP · 09-02-2018, 12:36 AM

That is the part of the PCV recall, so already on recall.

10-25-2012, 09:51 AM	#1
DESI4life10 Banned 201 Rep 3,328 Posts Drives: Coding: Desi4life10@gmail.com Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West of Toronto, Canada iTrader: (18)	Heads up: Smoke from Engine Bay from Heating Element Hey Guys, Just wanted to give the community a heads up on on a recent issue I had. I am hoping this thread will help others that might be in a similar situation. I was heading out for work in the morning when I noticed a burning smell coming from the vents. I immediately popped open the hood and noticed a very thick white smoke coming from the intake side of the car. At that time, I couldn't tell where it was coming from as the smoke was everywhere, but luckily when I shut the car off, the smoke went away (right away I though something shorted/electrical failure). As the smoke cleared out, I started to do some investigation and was surprised at what was the cause of the small fire. Our cars have a pcv line that runs from the crankcase to the intake manifold. The main line that runs in the center of the manifold has a heating element to prevent any blockages of the air entering the manifold. The part looks like this (from ecs tuning) P/N: 11617561408 It is item number 7 in the picture below: All NA cars have this heater element. The dealer informed me that the element had some kind of internal short, that sparked a small fire inside the manifold. Even though I acted very fast to minimize the damage, the element still managed to burn a hole in my manifold. I wanted to just make people aware of this problem if it ever happens to you. This is probably a one off kind of issue, but had I not act fast, this could have become a very serious problem. This element turns on even with the ignition on but engine off. So I had to disconnect the wire that plugs into the connector. Because it was just a heating element, it was okay to drive the car (to move it for towing). Car is being repaired right now. But I was shocked to see the kind of damage a small connector could do. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. But if it does, be sure to not have the engine on or ignition on/engine off as it will turn on that element (if you noticed something burning in that area). Last edited by DESI4life10; 10-25-2012 at 12:11 PM..
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10-25-2012, 12:08 PM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	I think you should report this to your country's vehicle safety authority as there may be unexplained BMW fires out there that this would provide the solution. And maybe a recall... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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10-25-2012, 07:21 PM	#3
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Wow, this is alarming. I was just looking at that part during my manifold swap and thought what is it and if it will ever be defective. Swaped my cars part on to the disa. Hope your 28ix is back in its wheels soon __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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10-25-2012, 08:56 PM	#4
Revision2 Captain 37 Rep 744 Posts Drives: JB 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (6)	Whoa. Thanks for the info, although it's making me a tad paranoid now haha. It does sound like one of those freak failures. Glad to hear that it was relatively minor damage as I'm sure it could have been a lot worse if you didn't react as quickly as you did. What are you doing about the manifold since it got damaged? Put back your original one until you can get another 3-stage?
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10-26-2012, 07:52 AM	#5
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	He really just needs a 3 stage manifold shelll, his DISA should be still okay __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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10-26-2012, 08:19 AM	#6
DESI4life10 Banned 201 Rep 3,328 Posts Drives: Coding: Desi4life10@gmail.com Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West of Toronto, Canada iTrader: (18)	Thanks guys. I'll keep you posted with the details once I get the car back today. I got everything under control ;-)
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10-26-2012, 10:14 PM	#7
mapleridge Banned 151 Rep 2,638 Posts Drives: E90 N52 AT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	sorry to hear that. thanks for the heads up.
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10-26-2012, 11:28 PM	#8
DESI4life10 Banned 201 Rep 3,328 Posts Drives: Coding: Desi4life10@gmail.com Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West of Toronto, Canada iTrader: (18)	Just an update. I got the car back today from the dealership. I'll post more details tomorrow or so with pictures of the damage. It isn't as bad as I thought. The hole in the manifold is actually right where the heating element connecter attaches to. Nothing like plasti-aid can't fix. I might repair it and just keep it or sell it cheap. I will see once I fix it up. Dealer installed a new 3 stage manifold for me following a new vent hose as well and the connector. Car is back to normal and feels great. The heating element definately melted on one side (where the electrical connection is).
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10-28-2012, 08:46 AM	#9
Revision2 Captain 37 Rep 744 Posts Drives: JB 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (6)	Thanks for the update. Was this covered under a warranty? I would imagine a new manifold and Labour would cost a bit otherwise. Hmm..let me know what you decide to do with your old 3 stage cause it almost sounds like cosmetic damage only and nothing else got damaged once they took it off and inspected.
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08-21-2018, 06:39 PM	#13
manuelgdamas@gmail.com Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW E91 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia iTrader: (0)	Another incident This just happened to me last week in my 2007 e91. Scary because the fire took out the PVC pipe from the vacuum pump and I lost the bake booster pressure and brakes. So heating element, wiring harness and PVC vacuum hose all got damaged. I am glad my wife wasn't driving.
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08-21-2018, 06:44 PM	#14
manuelgdamas@gmail.com Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW E91 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia iTrader: (0)	Recall for this.. Great just realized there is a recall for this..
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08-21-2018, 06:45 PM	#15
GoRomeo Brigadier General 959 Rep 3,841 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Thank you for sharing. I see another Recall coming soon...
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09-02-2018, 12:36 AM	#17
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	That is the part of the PCV recall, so already on recall.
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