[GioM2Comp]

I have a 2015 m235 and I have been getting this burning smell coming out of the air vents.
The smell happens when the heat is on but it's random. It can be normal for the first say 5 minutes and then you get 2-3 minutes of a burning smell where I have to open the windows to get some clean air. Its not consistent as it might happens 2 or 3 times in a 20 minute ride. Usually lasts a couple of minutes each time.

Heater core problems maybe? Any ideas?

[delvec03]

do you have any oil leaks?

[GioM2Comp]

no leaks

[MarcoZandrini]

What does it smell like? does it smell like a burning petroleum produxt or electrical?

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

What does it smell like? does it smell like a burning petroleum produxt or electrical?

^
Yes, know what the smell is like would help. We rarely run home heat down here, but the first time we fire it up we get a burnt smell like dust burning off the coils.

[Pray for Mojo]

You sure your valve cover gasket isn't leaking and lightly dripping on the manifold?

[GioM2Comp]

I tried to have a better look today. The smell might be more like exhaust fumes coming into the cabin from the air vents than actual burning.
I can see what looks to be exhaust fumes between the firewall and the back of the engine on the battery side. It’s very light smoke and I cannot see the source.
I think I have to bring it somewhere and put in on a lift.
It’s just strange that it gets really bad in the cabin for a few minutes and then it stops.

[pmcmtnbkr]

Originally Posted by GioM235

I tried to have a better look today. The smell might be more like exhaust fumes coming into the cabin from the air vents than actual burning.
I can see what looks to be exhaust fumes between the firewall and the back of the engine on the battery side. It’s very light smoke and I cannot see the source.
I think I have to bring it somewhere and put in on a lift.
It’s just strange that it gets really bad in the cabin for a few minutes and then it stops.

that sounds like a classic valve cover gasket leaking onto the exhaust manifold

[GioM2Comp]

Originally Posted by pmcmtnbkr

that sounds like a classic valve cover gasket leaking onto the exhaust manifold

You are exactly right! I took it to my local mechanic and that's what he said. $900 to fix. Is that fair?

[delvec03]

Originally Posted by GioM235

You are exactly right! I took it to my local mechanic and that's what he said. $900 to fix. Is that fair?

I'm pretty sure you can diy that for much closer to $0. depends on your comfort level.

back to the price. $900 seems high... though, I haven't done a lot of research on that job. at that rate it's a 7 hr job. doubt it's that long.

edit: did some reading. $900 is close to fair, hah!

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by delvec03

I'm pretty sure you can diy that for much closer to $0. depends on your comfort level.

back to the price. $900 seems high... though, I haven't done a lot of research on that job. at that rate it's a 7 hr job. doubt it's that long.

edit: did some reading. $900 is close to fair, hah!

At 7-hours, the job would run $1300 here, including parts and tax. And this is a much cheaper region than North Jersey. If it is a 7-hour job, $900 seems pretty good for OP's area.

[DrivingPassion]

Just had the same experience. The smell is faint but showed up randomly. Has a bit of burnt engine oil smell with a tiny bit of sour smell in it. (Just replaced oil about a month ago with LiquidMolly, so the sour smell may be LiquidMolly.)

Can anyone confirm that this is Valve Cover Gasket (VCG) ? I have highlighted where the oil is found with RED circle and arrow in the pictures.

My M235xi is around 53K miles, I ordered VCG and 6 spark plugs. I have replaced VCG before for my previous E46; so, I think I'm good with doing it.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Just had the same experience. The smell is faint but showed up randomly. Has a bit of burnt engine oil smell with a tiny bit of sour smell in it. (Just replaced oil about a month ago with LiquidMolly, so the sour smell may be LiquidMolly.)

Can anyone confirm that this is Valve Cover Gasket (VCG) ? I have highlighted where the oil is found with RED circle and arrow in the pictures.

My M235xi is around 53K miles, I ordered VCG and 6 spark plugs. I have replaced VCG before for my previous E46; so, I think I'm good with doing it.

Yep, that's it. It you really want to confirm you can reach down to the left of that heatshield and feel the oil that eventually leaks onto the cat. I wiped that area down occasionally to avoid the smell as much as possible since I was waiting on parts and the time to DIY it.

[DrivingPassion]

Thanks, man!

I ordered the parts, too; should arrive some time in early Nov.

[DrivingPassion]

REF:

Not sure now after watching this video whether I should just replace the VCG or the whole Valve Cover.
Looks like cylindrical round PCV in the center also has a seal that is fully integrated into the cover.

For those of you who have replaced your VCG, did you have to go in there later to replace the central PCV cylindrical thingy ?

I don't want to have to dig into the Valve Cover the second time to replace more seals.

What are your thoughts?

[DrivingPassion]

There are more than one YouTube video to do this. None are specifically for the F22.

[DrivingPassion]

In the process of removing stuffs hanging off the Valve Cover (VC), I unhooked the PCV vent hose successfully but when I touched the hose itself, parts of it crumbled into powder.

Hmmm ... looks like the replacement of the VCG has now extended to replacing the PCV vent hose. Just ordered 2 of it (one OEM and the other REIN) just in case.

Any look-ahead muddy waters which I need to be aware of when replacing PCV vent hose?

[DrivingPassion]

Any videos or articles about F22 PCV vent hose replacement you have used previously and would like to share, I'd appreciate.

[DrivingPassion]

Replaced all 6 spark plugs along the way. Bosch plugs : gap 0.028"

[DrivingPassion]

From the BMW TIS, there are nuts on both ends of each fuel line to the Valve Cover: see attached.

But, mine only has one nut on the ignition coil side and no nut on the other end.
Any ideas why and how do I remove the fuel line ?

[jzeiler4]

Looks like you need to remove the entire rail at the connector just ahead of your red circle.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

Looks like you need to remove the entire rail at the connector just ahead of your red circle.

I have unscrewed all the nuts for all the fuel lines on the ignition coil side.
Looks like they are flexible; so, my intention is to unseat the VC and gently side it out under the partially unmounted fuel lines with the help of another person.

If that does not work, I will have to remove the vertical main fuel line, which you suggested.