Burning oil
12-07-2009, 08:14 AM
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My Ride: Black Sapphire
2004 5.30i
It's been a good number of months now and i'm still getting a strong burning smell when driving...no particular timing to it that i can pinpoint and my oil level is still the same along with no noticeable leaks out of the gear case/bottom of the engine bay
i've looked for bags, cats, and any other debris that has been suggested on the forum -- is there anything else that could be leaking and burning while the engine is hot that i cannot see?
i've looked for bags, cats, and any other debris that has been suggested on the forum -- is there anything else that could be leaking and burning while the engine is hot that i cannot see?
12-07-2009, 10:08 AM
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Look for leaks around the exhaust. In such scenarios, the oil will get burned off and leave a little residue. Look for oil burn marks on the headers.
Raj
Raj
12-07-2009, 11:22 AM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
How hard are you driving the car when you spell burning oil? Right after flooring it?
12-07-2009, 05:29 PM
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A. the smell comes from the engine while running only faintly....no where near how it smells inside the car (at the same time it wasn't making the smell at that time but had been earlier during my 10min. drive home)
B. I only drive my car about 10 min. to and from work on small roads -- max i hit is 45 -- but i'd say i do smell it more often when gas'ing often -- actually the only time when i think it is consistent is if i switch into tiptronic mode which i do often
B. I only drive my car about 10 min. to and from work on small roads -- max i hit is 45 -- but i'd say i do smell it more often when gas'ing often -- actually the only time when i think it is consistent is if i switch into tiptronic mode which i do often
12-11-2009, 12:17 PM
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My Ride: Black Sapphire
2004 5.30i
i've found what i possibly think could be the source of the smell -- i have an oily area on the cover under my car ... it starts right where the exhaust begins to show (closest to the engine) on the driver side -- its about 4 inches wide and runs down the exhaust on the cover about 2 ft.
i can't see anything wtih the hood open because its too far back (i can slightly see where it begins but nothing else)
is it easy to put the car up with a jack and remove that cover? just to narrow down where the leak may be coming from?
My mech. says he thinks it might be a valve cover gasket, but i didn't think it went back that far and my valve cover is located on the opposite side of where the leak is
i can't see anything wtih the hood open because its too far back (i can slightly see where it begins but nothing else)
is it easy to put the car up with a jack and remove that cover? just to narrow down where the leak may be coming from?
My mech. says he thinks it might be a valve cover gasket, but i didn't think it went back that far and my valve cover is located on the opposite side of where the leak is
12-12-2009, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by slm6715' post='1069294' date='Dec 7 2009, 01:14 PM
It's been a good number of months now and i'm still getting a strong burning smell when driving...no particular timing to it that i can pinpoint and my oil level is still the same along with no noticeable leaks out of the gear case/bottom of the engine bay
i've looked for bags, cats, and any other debris that has been suggested on the forum -- is there anything else that could be leaking and burning while the engine is hot that i cannot see?
i've looked for bags, cats, and any other debris that has been suggested on the forum -- is there anything else that could be leaking and burning while the engine is hot that i cannot see?
LEAKING GASKETS.
12-12-2009, 09:52 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
It might be some of my Texas roots showing here, but I happen to LOVE the smell of burning oil! 
BTW, it does seem unlikely that the oil leak could be on the OPPOSITE side of the engine! 
BTW, it does seem unlikely that the oil leak could be on the OPPOSITE side of the engine!
12-12-2009, 10:36 AM
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Valve cover gasket i bet my 04 530 was doing the same thing i also get white cloud of smoke coming thru the center vents when the oil hits the manifold about 10-15 minutes of driving doesn't happen every day though
