E46 Engine Burning Smell

[BMTech]

Hi Guys....Just got a 2002 E46 318i - 2.0 (CKD model) from a Dealer 2 weeks ago. Lately I have noticed that there seem to be a burning kind of smell from the engine after a dirve. It is not always there but seem to appear now and again. The smell is more like a heated plastic or mild burn smell, not a very strong engine on fire kind of smell Took it to my Mechanic twice but both times no smell detected................ the usualCar underwent Inspection I with AB by previous owner back in Aug 2008 and has only clocked 2000 + KM since. Service indicator shows still about 22K KM left. My Mechanic has checked and confirmed no oil leaks anywhere. All indicators seem normal and Engine does not seem to show any problem. Just this burning kind of smell when you get out of the car. When it is there it seems more prominent either through the front grilles and when hood is opened near the Engine Oil dip stick areaAnyone had similar problems before. Would be greatful is any of you guys could shed some light on this problem::dontknow:Thanks

 

[B33mEr]

AFAIK that is quite common especially after fast and hard driving ... there will be a, as you described, heated plastic smell and as you've probably guessed there's a lot of "reinforce plastic" used in our engine bay ... hence i think that's quite normal unless the smell is strong and persistent then i suggest to check you're engine compartment thoroughly again just to be on the safe side.

 

[shaifulo]

have u changed oil lately? sometime the oil spill onto the engine or header during fill-up creating the burnt smell after a drive

cud be other things which are more serious

 

[guru]

yeap, i've had that smell for years. once in a while still got. i can't figure from where.. and it makes me worry still.
it appears even when just after start and not fast runs.

don't worry la..rosak repair lah

 

[BMTech]

Thanks Guys

Last oil change was back in Aug 2008 at AB.

Well if other cars have it as well, then maybe it is ok. Will try and get my Mech to check it again to be safe

 

[afifazhanee]

Search thoroughly for a living creature inside? I 'fried' a kitten before under the engine bay! Kakakaka!

 

[r37720]

It must be oil leak whcih cannot be seen since the leak is really at the back of the engine.

few of rubbers may be worn out. I experienced this before.

 

[zeedo]

Got that problem also, especially after the car is parked for more than a day. When I start the engine there will occur this kind of rubber/oil burning smell and today found out my oil filter housing ada crack skit. Will update later coz the car still at workshop

 

[initialM]

Definitely something wrong or somewhere leaking. Never happen to my car even after hard drive. Go get it checked. Heard the valvetronic famous for engine oil leaks dunno whether correct or not.

 

[BMTech]

Thanks again guys for the input and pointers

I have taken note of these and will tell my Mechanic to check these specifics out

Will update you all if problem solved

 

[pussy]

please check your valve cover gasket, there might be a leak in the plugs well..usual problem on all e34's m50's.

or

check your valve cover breather hoses and clamp, the oil vapors will usually evaporate thru the O-ring, which gives away after a few years..

and if not found, the best is to change the all the O-rings gaskets for the oil hoses clamps.

btw, is your particle filter is new ?

cheers..

 

[BMTech]

please check your valve cover gasket, there might be a leak in the plugs well..usual problem on all e34's m50's.

or

check your valve cover breather hoses and clamp, the oil vapors will usually evaporate thru the O-ring, which gives away after a few years..

and if not found, the best is to change the all the O-rings gaskets for the oil hoses clamps.

btw, is your particle filter is new ?

cheers..

Thanks Bro for the pointers

Not too sure about the particle filter though. As last service was carried out by previous owner at AB, will have to check back with AB tomorrow

 

[pussy]

just thinking, funny if there was any oil leak, the engine idle would have been rough.. bmw engines works on closed loop breathing...

 

[BMTech]

Engine on Idle is quite smooth and silent. No vibrations or roughness so far

Do you think it is not a oil leak then ?

 

[pussy]

it must be a oil leak, most possible is the breather hose clogged or the O ring is kaput.

the smell you get is the oil vapors from the head after a blow-by caused by the ignition cycle in the 4 stroke engine. so the vapors are supposed to be returned to the intake manifold back into the engine. this is for eviromental issues.

check all the return hoses.. do it after a hot run.

or

hoist the car up, check where the engine meets the gearbox, see for any leak, even a small leak would be vapourised by the exhaust manifold.

happy finding.

 

[zeedo]

Just found out mine was caused by tiny crack on my oil filter housing, so changed the oil filter housing and the gasket. New housing cost is RM350 w/o labour and RM40 for the gasket. Then have to top up 1L of engine oil bringing the total damage of RM550. The leak actually drops down to torque converter at the bottom

 

[guru]

Just found out mine was caused by tiny crack on my oil filter housing, so changed the oil filter housing and the gasket. New housing cost is RM350 w/o labour and RM40 for the gasket. Then have to top up 1L of engine oil bringing the total damage of RM550. The leak actually drops down to torque converter at the bottom

- check, thanks for da heads up

 

[BMTech]

Thanks Zeedo, pussy and all you guys

Will keep you posted on any findings with regards to this problem

 

[infinityKL]

if its oil leak, should smell all the time... it only seems to smell after a hard run, kinda normal for me... i like the smell though... haha