oil check light and burning smell

[tomatojoos]

so i am not sure what happened but my oil check light comes and goes, and i can smell burning plastic from under the hood. i just had my oil change done so it cannot be that.

any idea what it could be? please advise as i am really worried.

thanks

[jamesdc4]

Where did you go to have the oil changed?
I think you'd better track down the source ASAP!

[540i nashville]

you're going to have to give us more than that...

any oil on the ground?
who did your oil change?
have you looked under the hood? is there oil leaking from the filter housing?

burning plastic, huh... have you checked the fan clutch?
belt?

need more info.

[BimmerBreaker]

i just had my oil change done so it cannot be that.

:confused Why not? If you just got something oil related done, and you are having an oil issue... I would think it could be related

[AlpinaWannaBe]

:confused Why not? If you just got something oil related done, and you are having an oil issue... I would think it could be related
+1...I'd bet oil is leaking and burning somewhere (maybe causing the smell?)..

[bimmerZ5]

chances are, the oil isn't going to be on the ground. could be possible that oil is leaking and dripping on the plastic "belly" pan or plastic cover. the hot oil may be burning the plastic and causing the smell.... i would remove the plastic cover under the engine area and see what's going on.

oil check light is usually an indicator that the oil level is too low. have you checked your oil level? what are you reading when the engine is warmed up? (should be in the middle) if you're leaking oil, it certainly makes sense that your oil level might be low...

[xfordtdm]

A bad valve cover gasket can drip oil on the exhaust manifold. This caused a burning smell in my 528. It didn't smell like plastic burning though.

[FP5241]

+1 for possible vcg leak...

When the car is cold, clean up the area around the valve cover, get a clean paper towel and run it along the area. If you see oil on the towel, you know you have a leak. Again, MAKE SURE THE CAR IS COLD. Manifold burns are not fun.

[LuisGT]

Manifold burns are not fun.

+1

I have a nice burn from the manifold and the car had only been on for a minute...