Burning smell after 'giving it some...'
Discussion
Last few days, i have been smelling something that smelt a little bit like burning rubber when i got out of my car at the end of the journey, seemed to be coming from the back of the car, so i put it down to the tyres even though it seemed a little strange. When i say 'giving it some' that doesnt mean wheel spinning or driving like a loon, just take it further up the rev limiter, for example when coming onto a motorway sliproad and taking it to 6k revs etc.
Anyhow, i happened to mention it to a friend of mine when he got out of the car and i could smell it and he tells me that it smells more like burning rubber and that i should get it checked out. So this morning i went to my local mechanic who does most of our cars when they are out of warranty and asked his advice. He put it up on the ramp for me and said that everything seemed fine, no signs of a leak etc and the underside looked fine. No sign of residue which would be left if oil was leaking.
I told him that it seemed to be coming from the back and that concerned him a little, that it may be that the engine is burning the oil. When we checked the level, it was pretty low, so we topped it up.
Could the fact that the oil was low be causing the burning smell or is there something else that is causing the oil to be used up very quickly? If so, what could it be?
I only got the car in August and it was from a BMW dealer so has its 12 month warranty, is it something that would be worth checking out with them?
For now, i am just keeping an eye on the oil level, i guess i wont know much more until i see if the oil is being excessively used?
Any advice appreciated.
ps. its a '53 318Ci M Sport on 55k miles.
Cheers
Alex
Anyhow, i happened to mention it to a friend of mine when he got out of the car and i could smell it and he tells me that it smells more like burning rubber and that i should get it checked out. So this morning i went to my local mechanic who does most of our cars when they are out of warranty and asked his advice. He put it up on the ramp for me and said that everything seemed fine, no signs of a leak etc and the underside looked fine. No sign of residue which would be left if oil was leaking.
I told him that it seemed to be coming from the back and that concerned him a little, that it may be that the engine is burning the oil. When we checked the level, it was pretty low, so we topped it up.
Could the fact that the oil was low be causing the burning smell or is there something else that is causing the oil to be used up very quickly? If so, what could it be?
I only got the car in August and it was from a BMW dealer so has its 12 month warranty, is it something that would be worth checking out with them?
For now, i am just keeping an eye on the oil level, i guess i wont know much more until i see if the oil is being excessively used?
Any advice appreciated.
ps. its a '53 318Ci M Sport on 55k miles.
Cheers
Alex
Why is it an oxymoron?
As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
Edited by AlexBMW on Thursday 29th November 14:52
AlexBMW said:
Why is it an oxymoron?
As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
I was only joking.As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
Edited by AlexBMW on Thursday 29th November 14:52
Your 318i is 168bhp? really?
Do you have a scan of the rr print out? Thats very impressive.
I will see if i can dig it out - i do have it somewhere im sure. I cant remember the torque figure off the top of my head, 219NM i *think*.
168 is about 20 up on standard though which is in the realms of possibility, i am prepared to accept that one RR may not be as accurate as another etc etc - ive been through this debate many times.
Leave it with me.
168 is about 20 up on standard though which is in the realms of possibility, i am prepared to accept that one RR may not be as accurate as another etc etc - ive been through this debate many times.
Leave it with me.
Dunk76 said:
Anway kids, back to the question...
Mine smells vaguely of warm tyres/brakes are driving in a spirited fashion - it's always done it, so I've always ignored it.
you mean this isnt normal? oh crap. just got back for a little drive and mine has a smell of burning rubber as well...Mine smells vaguely of warm tyres/brakes are driving in a spirited fashion - it's always done it, so I've always ignored it.
Hell i love my car.
My E36 318is has a smell of burning rubber in the boot if you open it after a spell of an hour or so consistently doing circa 70mph. I first noticed it when I was removing the cases from the boot after me and the OH had got home from a week on the coast - 95% of the journey home having been undertaken on A roads and a motorway, all with little traffic so consistent 70ish speeds. It doesn't do it any other time and the car hasn't fallen to bits so I don't let it worry me!
RobCrezz said:
AlexBMW said:
Why is it an oxymoron?
As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
I was only joking.As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
Edited by AlexBMW on Thursday 29th November 14:52
Your 318i is 168bhp? really?
Do you have a scan of the rr print out? Thats very impressive.
RobCrezz said:
AlexBMW said:
Why is it an oxymoron?
As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
I was only joking.As ive said in other threads, im 21 and refuse to pay through the nose for insurance. Nor to i particularly drive fast. Its a 2.0, mapped and showed 168bhp on the last RR i put it in. More than enough for me.
Its not the clutch, but thanks for the input all the same.
Edited by AlexBMW on Thursday 29th November 14:52
Your 318i is 168bhp? really?
Do you have a scan of the rr print out? Thats very impressive.
When I give it some in mine (330 Ci), I get some awful smell, inside and out. Ii smells like the clutch (that asbestosy stench), I suppose that's the TC retarding it to stop the wheels spinning ???
Also, am I not correct in saying that if your giving it some welly round bends, then the electronic gizmos will start applying the brakes here and there ?
That might account for some of the smells in my car when I hammer it lol
Also, am I not correct in saying that if your giving it some welly round bends, then the electronic gizmos will start applying the brakes here and there ?
That might account for some of the smells in my car when I hammer it lol
LMC said:
When I give it some in mine (330 Ci), I get some awful smell, inside and out. Ii smells like the clutch (that asbestosy stench), I suppose that's the TC retarding it to stop the wheels spinning ???
Also, am I not correct in saying that if your giving it some welly round bends, then the electronic gizmos will start applying the brakes here and there ?
That might account for some of the smells in my car when I hammer it lol
Unless you were going 'at it' for some considerable time I doubt you could smell the brakes. They are designed for pretty reasonable use. Clutches however are somewhat weaker and can create a stench.Also, am I not correct in saying that if your giving it some welly round bends, then the electronic gizmos will start applying the brakes here and there ?
That might account for some of the smells in my car when I hammer it lol
Have you checked the oil filler cap? A few of the E39 M5 boys have had these come loose and squirt a few lites of oil all over the engine bay and manifolds, exhausts, cats etc which then comes through the pollen filters about 30cm above...
I get a similar smell from my E34 540i auto after a long fast run. Turned out to be engine oil weeping out the back of the engine, and getting blown over the hot catalysts and burning. There was never any oil leak that left drops on the floor, and the engine never used oil either. Just a small amount over time weeping onto the hot catatlysts and burning. Wiping them clean when cold cured the problem for a few weeks.
Just enjoy your car, and don't bother worrying until something goes 'pop'. Then you'll know for definate what the fault was!
Just enjoy your car, and don't bother worrying until something goes 'pop'. Then you'll know for definate what the fault was!
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