[Snowduck]

Hi everyone,

I have 2011 328i sedan. I recently got my valve cover gasket and oil gasket fixed but it was a leaking a little. Now, I am smelling a burning smell after driving for about 10 minutes or so. I noticed once after opening a window and smelled something was burning. I checked the valve cover area and no oil it leaking. Something to note is that it is not exactly the smell of burning oil. I knew my valve cover gasket was leaking oil because I smelled burning oil after getting home and once when I turned on the fans. This time, the smell is a little different. I am not sure how to describe the smell and I checked for oil leaks but my car has not leaked any oil and I do not see anything from opening the hood. Maybe something isn't cooling or heating up when it is not supposed to because I get hot air from my ac on low for a little bit before it gets cold. Any ideas of what could be the cause of this? Should I be looking at another spot for a possible leak or maybe something is burning which is causing the smell?

[E93Dude]

Its very common for owners to experience a burning smell for several days/100's miles even after completing a VCG replacement. This is because it represents the burning off of residual oil that previously leaked, or spilled during the gasket replacement process. Looking at your engine block, there is a metal tray on the left side near (I believe the solenoid) where some of that oil collects. It is difficult to clean without removing it, and that is a bit of a PITA to remove. There is a thread somewhere here about it.

Give yourself some more time for the oil to burn off. I know you said it does not smell quite like oil, but in reality it probably is. On side note, keep checking your VCG where it mates to the engine for oil leaks - the gasket sometimes does not seat properly, which means you need to go back in there and do the job again. You said your car is not leaking anymore, but even a small drip somewhere can burn, and its not always easy too see where. Take the engine cover off and get in there with a flashlight.

[tcphoto]

I did my VCG just over a year ago and the smell was gone immediately. I was paranoid and went back to look at the silver tray between the valve cover and the exhaust manifold to find it clean. I would suggest inspecting your and verify that there's no pooling on yours.