Burning smell from vents

Sail Boat · 11-21-2018, 12:55 PM

Hi everyone -

Interesting problem: When I turn on the heat in my car, there's a noticeable smell of something burning (somewhere between oil and plastic I think). When the AC is engaged or just the fan at low temp, the smell disappears. I don't know much about how the heater works, but why would it only happen with the heater on? Furthermore, with the hood up and the engine up to temp and running, there's no visible smoke even at night with a flashlight.

Today it was particularly bad, with visible smoke coming out of the vents. I'm not 100% sure this was caused by my car or instead the diesel truck nearby. Anyways, I drove it to my nearest BMW dealer and they believe it is an issue with the heater (should be covered under warranty).

Anyone know what is going on?

MarcoZandrini · 11-21-2018, 05:46 PM

Could be the burning of wiring insulation.

bamajay251 · 02-27-2019, 11:19 AM

Did you find out what the problem was? Or could anyone assist with this issue?

Shovelman · 02-27-2019, 03:37 PM

Steam sounds reasonable as the heater coil gets hot enough for that, but smoke is a different problem.

Rocky58 · 02-27-2019, 10:24 PM

Do you have it turned up higher than 84 degrees?

Unicorn123 · 02-28-2019, 06:40 AM

Rodents?

Sail Boat · 02-28-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamajay251

Did you find out what the problem was? Or could anyone assist with this issue?

Yes!

Still have warranty so had BMW deal with it. Apparently there was a leak coming from the head cover gasket on the passenger side which was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. They also replaced the head vent hose.

All good now!

11-21-2018, 12:55 PM	#1
Sail Boat Private First Class 192 Rep 178 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Burning smell from vents Hi everyone - Interesting problem: When I turn on the heat in my car, there's a noticeable smell of something burning (somewhere between oil and plastic I think). When the AC is engaged or just the fan at low temp, the smell disappears. I don't know much about how the heater works, but why would it only happen with the heater on? Furthermore, with the hood up and the engine up to temp and running, there's no visible smoke even at night with a flashlight. Today it was particularly bad, with visible smoke coming out of the vents. I'm not 100% sure this was caused by my car or instead the diesel truck nearby. Anyways, I drove it to my nearest BMW dealer and they believe it is an issue with the heater (should be covered under warranty). Anyone know what is going on?
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11-21-2018, 05:46 PM	#2
MarcoZandrini Major 445 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Could be the burning of wiring insulation.
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02-27-2019, 11:19 AM	#3
bamajay251 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 528i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	I just experienced the same problem. Did you find out what the problem was? Or could anyone assist with this issue?
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02-27-2019, 03:37 PM	#4
Shovelman Lieutenant 244 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Steam sounds reasonable as the heater coil gets hot enough for that, but smoke is a different problem.
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02-27-2019, 10:24 PM	#5
Rocky58 Second Lieutenant 123 Rep 203 Posts Drives: m240xi Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Do you have it turned up higher than 84 degrees?
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02-28-2019, 06:40 AM	#6
Unicorn123 Second Lieutenant 187 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Hartford, CT iTrader: (0)	Rodents? __________________ Current Fleet, 16 F22 M235i xDrive, 15 Audi Q5 3.0 TDI (my Wife's), 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, 01 Toyota Tundra 2wd Long Bed Retired (a few of them...), 08 E60 550i 6M, 01 Audi S4, 70 Fiat 124, 88 E28 M5, 72 Datsun 510 2Dr, 73 TR6
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