BMW 320I (E90) with burning smell and whining noise

MJohnston

I'm finding it hard to narrow down this issue via the internet so I thought I'd ask people here. My 2007 E90 has been exhibiting the two issues mentioned for a few months now.

The first is that about 2-5 minutes after turning the car on and driving it away, there is a big smell of burning oil (or what might be oil) through the air vents and occasionally a very minor amount of smoke/steam. I presume these are symptoms of a minor leak of some fluids, the internet telling me either oil or transmission. The smoke and smell goes away about as soon as it begins and there is never any fluid visible on the bottom of the inside of the engine area, although a very tiny amount of brown coloured viscous fluid will sometimes appear on the ground underneath where the car has been parked after a few days.

The second is more recent and is a high pitched but low volume whining noise that accompanies low-gear revving.

My questions for both is - where is the best place in Dublin to get these issues properly diagnosed and fixed? And does anyone have any idea what they might be? If so, what might be the potential cost of repair? Neither of these problems feel like they'll cause any major breakdowns any time soon but I'd feel a lot better getting them sorted.

Nissan doctor

Possibly an oil leak from the rocker cover/timing chain cover/sensor seals leaking onto the auxiliary belt.

I've seen several BMW belts come off their runs due to oil effecting them.

MJohnston

So you reckon both might be connected issues?

Nissan doctor

MJohnston wrote: »

So you reckon both might be connected issues?

Its certainly possible. As I said, the above problem would be a likely scenario for BMW's but without actually seeing it its just 1 possible cause.

Only way to confirm is get it checked properly.

AlanFurl

I had the exact problem with the burning smell and smoke/steam. It was an oil leak. I can't remember all the terminology used but Murphy and Gunn diagnosed it and repaired it, the bill was roughly 800 squid unfortunately.

The whining noise I also have in my 2007 320. I've had this looked too by Murphy and Gunn, have even had one of the guys in the car with me. He said it was normal and a common characteristic in the e90's. Was willing to take me out in another 316 and point out the same noise. Its been in my car since I got it and has not gotten worse or better!

So, the bad news is that the oil leak will need to be seen to.

Nissan doctor

I would advise avoiding BMW main dealers though, they will charge insane labour and will be very bias in their explanation of problems.

MJohnston

Might take it up north and get that work done, if it's the rear main seal as suggested a lot of other sites, not really wanting to fork out 800 euro for it.

Nissan doctor

If Drumcondra isn't too far out of your way I can check the cause FOC and you can decide from there.

Bensmyth

Don't know if this helps but I have an E46 320D sport. I had a noise similar to what you mentioned and it turned out to be the tires !!
The tires were on the Car about 12 months when the noise came into the car at certain low speeds especially when breaking and I went to the rounds of new brake disks shoes and pads all round. New wheel bearings and still no solving the issue.
The tires looked perfect until one day I got a flat and damaged the tire beyond repair got two new tires and the car tracked and then "silence" I couldn't believe it was the tires that were on the car for about 12months before the noise came.

That was just my problem I have never net nor heard anybody having the same problem until recently I was chatting a friend of mine with an Opel Astra and he too had a similar noise issue and solved it with new tires.
Most noise issues though are belts or pulley bearings it could be worth your while to but new belts on the car and get the mechanic to take a close look at the bearings when changing the belt. I'd be a believer in genuine belts for a car they can be of better quality and make less noise the most generic.

As regards to the smell and the smoke it has to be a small drop of oil burning on the exhaust or turbo. highly unusual though.

bbsrs

AlanFurl wrote: »

The whining noise I also have in my 2007 320. I've had this looked too by Murphy and Gunn, have even had one of the guys in the car with me. He said it was normal and a common characteristic in the e90's. Was willing to take me out in another 316 and point out the same noise. Its been in my car since I got it and has not gotten worse or better!

So, the bad news is that the oil leak will need to be seen to.

Is the whining noise similar to a wheel bearing noise?

bbsrs

€800 euro to fix an oil leak I'd like to know exactly what was leaking

Bensmyth

bbsrs wrote: »

€800 euro to fix an oil leak I'd like to know exactly what was leaking

Ya I agree.

piperflyer

Burning smell through the vents is a classic with the e90 320i. Oil leaks from vacuum pump at the back of the engine drips down on hot exhaust. Sometimes replacement o ring will fix rather than replacement pump which is 350 euros. A lot of leaks are caused by blocked breather hose system.

Alanstrainor

piperflyer wrote: »

Burning smell through the vents is a classic with the e90 320i. Oil leaks from vacuum pump at the back of the engine drips down on hot exhaust. Sometimes replacement o ring will fix rather than replacement pump which is 350 euros. A lot of leaks are caused by blocked breather hose system.

Please don't drag up old threads for no reason.