D**n! Here's a tough one..burnt smell while stopped

[Big Chaze]

I have a wierd burnt smell coming outta My 2000 528i 5 speed. It comes outta the vents while stopped from time to time, then goes away. Oil/ atf is fine and I havent changed it recently for any fluid to be present on exhaust etc..I did notice that atf fluid was low when I first smelled the burning,.. so I topped it off. Checked under the hood and the smell does not appear to be coming from there. Checked under, not thoroughly, but I didnt see anything....:help

I'm having some issues with an uknown burnt smell coming in thru my vents,... the only thing I havent replaced was my gear oil,..dont know if I should,.. what do you guys think??

[jamesdc4]

Check the engine compartment thoroughly for leaves and debris that can be deposited in there during the fall months. While the i6s do not run as hot as the v8s, they put out enough heat that anything stuck in there will smolder.
Can you describe the smell?

[Twinair]

Check your valve cover gasket. Mine does the same thing. It doesn't take much leaking to notice the smell. When it leaks it drips right down on the exhaust manifold heat shield.

[mattmartindrift]

my guess is oil of some sort - PS fluid, gear oil, engine oil.

during your gear-oil change did any get on the exhaust?

[Big Chaze]

Check the engine compartment thoroughly for leaves and debris that can be deposited in there during the fall months. While the i6s do not run as hot as the v8s, they put out enough heat that anything stuck in there will smolder.
Can you describe the smell?

It smells electrical I think...but I checked bulbs/ wiring etc.. and no smell. Then again it could be fluid but I dont see anything on floor.:confused


Check your valve cover gasket. Mine does the same thing. It doesn't take much leaking to notice the smell. When it leaks it drips right down on the exhaust manifold heat shield.


Wouldn't there be evidence on the shield??


my guess is oil of some sort - PS fluid, gear oil, engine oil.

during your gear-oil change did any get on the exhaust?


Thats what I'm saying...oil change was a while ago,...never did gear oil change cause manual says its a lifetime thing..

[walpole5]

I had the same thing with my car. I recently replaced the head, so all gaskets are new. Every once in a while, I would get a burning smell through the vents. I kept checking the engine and could not find an oil leak anywhere. I am missing the gasket on the passenger side that seals the climate control air intake from the engine compartment. I have ordered the piece and will be installing it this week.

Anyway, I was replacing my thrust arms a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the hose from the power steering reservoir was leaking slightly where the hose attaches at the bottom. The clamp was simply too loose. I installed a new clamp and I have not had the smell since.

So, lift your car, remove the pan and look at it and the underside of your engine. Check to see if you have any oil leaks and take care of them. The smell should stop.

[crabAppple]

I had the same problem. I had them run diagnosis and came back with three issues, there were two leaks which caused the smell and other small leak was with the pan. I fixed the first two items and the third one is supposedly a big fix costing lots'o muchos.

I dont have the burnt smell anymore. But as of this morning, I have the 'check brake lining' message and SEL.

[epeppino]

it's the valve cover gasket. mine doenst even leak a half a quart between oil changes, but that's all it takes to get a nasty smell in the cabin.

[BKphoto]

what he said...

[Doru]

If I'd have to bet, I put my money on the VCG. Also If you change it, check the CVV valve.

[TheMatrixz]

Electrical smell through the vent can be the final stage unit failing (seach for FSU). Is the fan working normally? does it fluctuate a lot? does it go into maximum blowing for no reason? Those are the signs to look for.

[BKphoto]

Electrical smell through the vent can be the final stage unit failing (seach for FSU). Is the fan working normally? does it fluctuate a lot? does it go into maximum blowing for no reason? Those are the signs to look for.


a, no ...:shifty

[BimmerBreaker]

get some cabin filters bro

[Big Chaze]

I had the same thing with my car. I recently replaced the head, so all gaskets are new. Every once in a while, I would get a burning smell through the vents. I kept checking the engine and could not find an oil leak anywhere. I am missing the gasket on the passenger side that seals the climate control air intake from the engine compartment. I have ordered the piece and will be installing it this week.

Anyway, I was replacing my thrust arms a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the hose from the power steering reservoir was leaking slightly where the hose attaches at the bottom. The clamp was simply too loose. I installed a new clamp and I have not had the smell since.

So, lift your car, remove the pan and look at it and the underside of your engine. Check to see if you have any oil leaks and take care of them. The smell should stop.


Just noticed I had the same problem with the ps hose...except that i dont see where it could be leaking on top of in order to get that smell.


it's the valve cover gasket. mine doenst even leak a half a quart between oil changes, but that's all it takes to get a nasty smell in the cabin.


But where would it be leaking onto?? There is nothing on the floor or exhaust, etc..:(


Electrical smell through the vent can be the final stage unit failing (seach for FSU). Is the fan working normally? does it fluctuate a lot? does it go into maximum blowing for no reason? Those are the signs to look for.


Final stage was replaced...twice.
No other symptoms..


get some cabin filters bro


Hasnt even been a year...should I cahnge them again??

[Madtown]

My guess would be the blower motor. I had same issue until replaced blower motor. Mine was making high pitch noise at times also.

[Big Chaze]

My guess would be the blower motor. I had same issue until replaced blower motor. Mine was making high pitch noise at times also.


Well, I've narrowed it down.
When I have the heater on, I get the smell....no heater no smell.

[walpole5]

I still have the smell, but it only happens rarely. Just did a 1300 mile trip to Virginia and I got the burning oil smell once. It was a long highway drive, we stopped to look at a map on a side road. After about 2 or 3 minutes, I pulled away and got a strong oil smell through the middle vents. This is the only time it has happened in about a month. I use NO oil at all. All gaskets on the upper part of the engine have been replaced when I replaced the head a few months ago. I did not get the smell before the head replacement. I can find zero leaks in the engine compartment. Because it is so rare, I'm just going to ignore it unless it gets worse. Maybe it's a leak from a seal in the transmission, I'll take a look soon.

[Cyrix2k]

electrical? Could be alternator... no other problems? I assume you know what burning oil smells like, you can't miss it.

[Skwisgaar]

Replies ITT are all over the place. Here's my input...

Check the cowl between the cabin air filters. The big plastic piece that feeds the vents is prone to cracking and disintegrating as the cars age. It's a cheap fix (under $100 DIY) and it's pretty easy, too.

Here's a DIY I found for a 540i, but it will still clear things up for you as to where to look and what to check.

http://bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Cowlreplace/cowl.htm

[walpole5]

I've checked that piece and it's in good shape. I was missing the rubber molding on the passenger side filter housing that seals between the hood and the intake. I replaced it, but I still get the oil smell.

[Cyrix2k]

Well, I've narrowed it down.
When I have the heater on, I get the smell....no heater no smell.
Heater or fan in general?