e36 exhaust smell

[beemer04]

Hi all I have been having this prob since owned the car couple of years ago, noticed both my e36 and e21 have strong exhaust smell. Is this a common problem, any rectification if needed? Smell is outside the cabin.

 

[firdaus325]

its normal bro.. bimmeers smell. most e36/ e21 engine been in 10 years plus. but i love that smell la. but not addicted.

 

[beemer04]

Thanks for the build, I am just worried for the little one, if the smell is hazardous?

 

[turbology]

is the smell inside the car ?
If the spell outside the car trouble you, changing the CAT converter should solve the problem.
The smell shouldn't be too strong. Exhaust smell usually indicate some maintenance needed, at least for me.

 

[climenta]

what do you feed em la?

 

[M30]

Is it the smell of unburn fuel? I think i have that same prob with my E23. I have done most of the tings i could think of like cleaning the AFM, cleaning the injectors with injector cleaner, changing the spark plugs and the distributor cap and rotor. Reduced abit but still really strong.

Out of interest, how does changing the Cat helps reduce the smell?

 

[beemer04]

I have done most of the maintainance work except replacing the CAT, will explore this, where can this be done and how much?

The car is well maintained with schedule service maintainance and engine overhauled.

 

[san]

my e24 smell too unburn petrol smell in the cabin

 

[M30]

Oh.....i am lucky mine does not get in to the cabin.....just outside when i the car sits on idle.

I remember the CAT is pretty expensive to replace. I think most would replace with a straight pipe or clean the inside of the CAT and replace as a empty box if u don't believe in global warming.

I dun think it will really be a prob as long as it does not enter the cabin and there is no emission check.

 

[beemer04]

Mine is outside the cabin too, just that the smell is strong at my house compund. I think the neighbor felt it too but have not complaint so far.

Anybody has done the CAT rectification, and any indication price?

 

[M30]

U can get an exhaust shop to remove the CAT and have it checked. The CAT usually have to be repalced if it is clog or melted from running too rich. If the honey comb inside the CAT has not melted a good full throttle hi rev drive should clean it out. I don't think the E21 would have a cat though.

 

[affan66]

it is kinda strong. that's why i don't warm up the car at the porch too long.

 

[spikyone]

Just my 2cents but usually doesn't unburnt fuel passing by from the engine will damage (poisoning) the cells inside the cat? So instead of replacing with a new expensive cat at the back of an engine which still puts out unburnt fuel which will cause the same problem later would it be that a bit of tuning to reduce the amount of unburnt fuel should clear matters up?? I read this from a BMW car magazine which had an article on catalytic converters and their usage, let me check through my archive and get back to you on the exact issue and what it says.

 

[beemer04]

Thanks mate, that will be a great help, I have sent my car to 2 BMW specialist and was advised, not possible to tune the e36, all computerised control by MAF if I am not mistaken.

 

[gothseph]

dont 4get to check the fuel rail on the header.. might be some leak. mine cost me another engine! engine burnt at a petrol station! hah! get a load of that!