Intermittent burning smell N20

himey · 12-09-2021, 08:57 PM

Hey all, off and on when I am at operating temp and I have the heat on, there are times when I come to a stop and I can sense a burning smell coming from the vents and furthered after opening the hood I can smell it in the engine bay.

My first thought was leaky VCG but from multiple visual inspections but I cannot see any oil. My sense was that something was dripping/leaking and getting onto a hot component and that was coming through the vents.

Today I happened to witness what looks like coolant on my DV and collected at the bottom of the motor. Any ideas?

BM3 Stage 1 93 Octane
VRSF Catless Downpipe

Blue Angel · 12-11-2021, 03:13 PM

I've noticed the same thing on my 535d, though very rarely since it doesn't seem to get hot too often when it's cold out. I did not notice the smell at all in the summer with AC use.

I did have a similar odor with my last car, a Chevy Cruze, which are known for small coolant leaks. This smell is very similar and I wouldn't be surprised if it is coolant as you suggest. I've poked around the engine bay a couple of times and have not noticed anything, but a faint whiff of the odor is evident when popping the hood.

It's not enough to worry me right now, but if it gets worse it certainly will.

12-09-2021, 08:57 PM	#1
himey Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2016 528i XDrive Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Intermittent burning smell N20 Hey all, off and on when I am at operating temp and I have the heat on, there are times when I come to a stop and I can sense a burning smell coming from the vents and furthered after opening the hood I can smell it in the engine bay. My first thought was leaky VCG but from multiple visual inspections but I cannot see any oil. My sense was that something was dripping/leaking and getting onto a hot component and that was coming through the vents. Today I happened to witness what looks like coolant on my DV and collected at the bottom of the motor. Any ideas? BM3 Stage 1 93 Octane VRSF Catless Downpipe Attached Images
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12-11-2021, 03:13 PM	#2
Blue Angel Major 1008 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 2011 323i and 2016 535d Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	I've noticed the same thing on my 535d, though very rarely since it doesn't seem to get hot too often when it's cold out. I did not notice the smell at all in the summer with AC use. I did have a similar odor with my last car, a Chevy Cruze, which are known for small coolant leaks. This smell is very similar and I wouldn't be surprised if it is coolant as you suggest. I've poked around the engine bay a couple of times and have not noticed anything, but a faint whiff of the odor is evident when popping the hood. It's not enough to worry me right now, but if it gets worse it certainly will.
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