Burnt oil/electrical smell inside X5 E70

[igorbmwx6]

Has anyone run into this before? Recently I noticed a smell of either burnt oil or maybe electrical tape burn type of smell inside my X5. Seemed like it was coming from the vents. After reading multiple posts regarding the same issue, I had my valve cover gasket replaced two days ago. When I drove the car back, at first it seemed like the smell was gone. However, when I got home, parked the car, smell re-appeared. Do you think that it is just old oil leak still burning off and once all burned, smell will disappear? Any suggestions? Could it be something else, other than the valve cover gasket leak?

[almuhairi]

Originally Posted by igorbmwx5

Has anyone run into this before? Recently I noticed a smell of either burnt oil or maybe electrical tape burn type of smell inside my X5. Seemed like it was coming from the vents. After reading multiple posts regarding the same issue, I had my valve cover gasket replaced two days ago. When I drove the car back, at first it seemed like the smell was gone. However, when I got home, parked the car, smell re-appeared. Do you think that it is just old oil leak still burning off and once all burned, smell will disappear? Any suggestions? Could it be something else, other than the valve cover gasket leak?

I have the same problem + the white smoke from the exhaust


Any idea guys

[almuhairi]

bump bump

[igorbmwx6]

After replacing valve cover gasket and driving the car for 3-4 days, it looks like the smell is gone. I have a feeling that it was possibly old oil spill that was still burning off and producing this smell. Once all burned/evaporated, smell seems to be gone. Keeping my fingers crossed, for it not to come back again ...

[wisco]

I had the same thing 2 weeks ago. I put some UV dye into the oil and found out that it was actually leaking from the oil cap and not the valve cover. New oil cap was $10.50 from the dealer.

hth

[igorbmwx6]

Thank you, wisco. I now have been driving the car for over a week and the smell is all gone. 100% it was old oil burning off. No more smell :-)

[archwerks]

I had the same issue with the engine valve cover gaskets & then the window washer fluid reservoir/tank leak on he manifolds causing a cloud of smoke !

[almuhairi]

my problem is as per the dealer that some of the TURBO wiring has a plastic tube for oil and with the heat it melt the plastic part to leak on the exhaust and that why cause that mass of smoke

[igorbmwx6]

After almost a month of driving, I do not hear that smell of burnt oil anymore. Must have been the valve cover gasket. There is a tiny smell of burnt oil from the engine when it is hot, but I think that this is normal. I am just being too concerned now. I think.