Burning oil smell

skidkid · 01-21-2015, 12:34 AM

I have no visible oil leak but can smell oil burning and see visible smoke from the passenger side of the car. Seems to get worse if the nose of the car is parked above he tail for any amount of time. Only last for a small amount of time after start up.

t0pless · 01-21-2015, 11:30 AM

Sounds like it's time to replace your valve cover gasket. You'll probably get this smell at a stop light or when parking when the oil manages to drip on top of the exhaust manifold.

Replacing the valve cover gasket is pretty easy. Its the same thing as doing an e46, but we have to remove the strut bar. The only hard valve cover bolt to access will be the bottom left next to the flimsy aluminum heat shield. The nice thing is that since it's flimsy, you can bend it out of the way to access.

When replacing, most kits only come with the gasket, half moons (for the vanos) and spark plug wells. Make sure you get the gaskets that come with all the valve cover bolts as well. Most videos you find will show you what part number it is.

Also, some may tell you to use RTV around the half moons. I DID NOT use it. I believe the tsb says that you can, but my rule of thumb is use either use a gasket and a gasket only or a gasket maker and gasket maker only. Just make sure you take your time screwing the cover down evenly, as if you were putting on a wheel.

Jroc · 01-21-2015, 11:41 AM

The girlfriends e90 has been having this issue, replaced the gasket this weekend and the smell is gone.

inTgr8r · 01-21-2015, 12:50 PM

Could also be the Constant pressure valve leaking.
The BMW O ring is known to fail

StickMon · 01-21-2015, 03:16 PM

CPV is the first thing I thought of, because mine failed, but is that specific to the S54?
OP has non ///M.

inTgr8r · 01-21-2015, 04:30 PM

I though about that..... I'm not sure

Steeler · 01-21-2015, 04:41 PM

Had the same problem
VCG did the trick
You can't see the leak because it's trickling down the side of the head and flashing off on the exhaust manifold underneath the heat shields

skidkid · 01-21-2015, 11:35 PM

Thanks gentlemen, I guess ill start with the easiest and go from there.

01-21-2015, 12:34 AM	#1
skidkid New Member 4 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4si Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Honolulu, Hi iTrader: (0)	Burning oil smell I have no visible oil leak but can smell oil burning and see visible smoke from the passenger side of the car. Seems to get worse if the nose of the car is parked above he tail for any amount of time. Only last for a small amount of time after start up.
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01-21-2015, 11:30 AM	#2
t0pless Private 20 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Sounds like it's time to replace your valve cover gasket. You'll probably get this smell at a stop light or when parking when the oil manages to drip on top of the exhaust manifold. Replacing the valve cover gasket is pretty easy. Its the same thing as doing an e46, but we have to remove the strut bar. The only hard valve cover bolt to access will be the bottom left next to the flimsy aluminum heat shield. The nice thing is that since it's flimsy, you can bend it out of the way to access. When replacing, most kits only come with the gasket, half moons (for the vanos) and spark plug wells. Make sure you get the gaskets that come with all the valve cover bolts as well. Most videos you find will show you what part number it is. Also, some may tell you to use RTV around the half moons. I DID NOT use it. I believe the tsb says that you can, but my rule of thumb is use either use a gasket and a gasket only or a gasket maker and gasket maker only. Just make sure you take your time screwing the cover down evenly, as if you were putting on a wheel.
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01-21-2015, 11:41 AM	#3
Jroc Lieutenant 13 Rep 415 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	The girlfriends e90 has been having this issue, replaced the gasket this weekend and the smell is gone. __________________ 07 TiAG Coupe @Jroc561
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01-21-2015, 12:50 PM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Could also be the Constant pressure valve leaking. The BMW O ring is known to fail __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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01-21-2015, 03:16 PM	#5
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	CPV is the first thing I thought of, because mine failed, but is that specific to the S54? OP has non ///M. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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01-21-2015, 04:30 PM	#6
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	I though about that..... I'm not sure __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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01-21-2015, 04:41 PM	#7
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Had the same problem VCG did the trick You can't see the leak because it's trickling down the side of the head and flashing off on the exhaust manifold underneath the heat shields __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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01-21-2015, 11:35 PM	#8
skidkid New Member 4 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4si Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Honolulu, Hi iTrader: (0)	Thanks gentlemen, I guess ill start with the easiest and go from there.
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