Burning odor

[lknbimmers]

2012 X5 35i

Lately I've noticed a burning oil smell coming from the area of the right side fender while idling in park.
Oil level is fine and there is no pool of oil on the garage floor. No visible oil leaks under the hood.
Anyone have any ideas?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by lknbimmers

2012 X5 35i

Lately I've noticed a burning oil smell coming from the area of the right side fender while idling in park.
Oil level is fine and there is no pool of oil on the garage floor. No visible oil leaks under the hood.
Anyone have any ideas?

Could be your valve cover gasket which is prone to leak on the 35i N55.

Where it leaks the oil drips on the catalytic converter where the o2 sensor is and burns off hence no oil on the ground. Also where the valve cover leaks is right above your exhaust so check around their for seepage.

If it's leaking it's recommended to change the valve cover as well, so it's about a grand to do the job, also a good time to have the spark plugs replaced while it's getting changed.

At least that's what I found.

[lknbimmers]

Originally Posted by -c-

Could be your valve cover gasket which is prone to leak on the 35i N55.

Where it leaks the oil drips on the catalytic converter where the o2 sensor is and burns off hence no oil on the ground. Also where the valve cover leaks is right above your exhaust so check around their for seepage.

If it's leaking it's recommended to change the valve cover as well, so it's about a grand to do the job, also a good time to have the spark plugs replaced while it's getting changed.

At least that's what I found.

Thanks for the info.
Looks like I'll bring it in to have it looked at. They can check on the driveshaft as well.
Would the valve cover and gasket be covered under the extended warranty?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by lknbimmers

Thanks for the info.
Looks like I'll bring it in to have it looked at. They can check on the driveshaft as well.
Would the valve cover and gasket be covered under the extended warranty?

If it's through BMW I'd bet on it.

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by lknbimmers

2012 X5 35i

Lately I've noticed a burning oil smell coming from the area of the right side fender while idling in park.
Oil level is fine and there is no pool of oil on the garage floor. No visible oil leaks under the hood.
Anyone have any ideas?

I'd also check if the engine partition panels are disintegrating. The ones that came from the factory had a design flaw and they tended to break under the heat generated by the engine. It's a pretty common problem. That'd be more of an burning rubber smell, though.

[lknbimmers]

Originally Posted by -c-

If it's through BMW I'd bet on it.

Extended warranty is through BMW.

[lknbimmers]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

I'd also check if the engine partition panels are disintegrating. The ones that came from the factory had a design flaw and they tended to break under the heat generated by the engine. It's a pretty common problem. That'd be more of an burning rubber smell, though.

Is there a service bulletin for this issue?

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by lknbimmers

Is there a service bulletin for this issue?

I think there was, but I'm not 100% sure. Easy to inspect - just open the hood and check the partitions visually.

Here's a thread on DIY: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=899282

[lknbimmers]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

I think there was, but I'm not 100% sure. Easy to inspect - just open the hood and check the partitions visually.

Here's a thread on DIY: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=899282

Partitions are good.