Engine Burning Smell

[SilverBullet]

I have an 02 X5 3.0i. Sometimes after I come home from driving around to goto work, run errands, etc. I get this burning smell, right after I shut off the engine. It does not come into the car, I notice it whenever I walk past the engine. Is this common on X5s? Does this happen to anyone else? I am going to take my car in for some other problems that I am having on Monday, should I inform my service advisor about this? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[SilverBullet]

^^Bump^^

[Eurosport]

well, do you make a lot of short trips? sometimes if you do, gas doesn't have enough time/hot enough to fully burn properly you'll get bad smell from exhaust usually.
look under the hood, do you notice any leaks anywhere?
coolant spill on hot engine doesn't smell like victoria secret store ;p
when your engine is cold, open up your oil cap and check how your oil looks on the cap, any signs of water or coolant there? (i'd hope not then your headgasket might be shot).
check condition of your drive belts, check undercarriage for any leaks.
i'm not trying to scare you, just trying to help find the cause of the smell
i'm sure there's other things that could be wrong or checked but i haven't had my coffee yet ;p me sorry

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Eurosport

well, do you make a lot of short trips? sometimes if you do, gas doesn't have enough time/hot enough to fully burn properly you'll get bad smell from exhaust usually.
look under the hood, do you notice any leaks anywhere?
coolant spill on hot engine doesn't smell like victoria secret store ;p
when your engine is cold, open up your oil cap and check how your oil looks on the cap, any signs of water or coolant there? (i'd hope not then your headgasket might be shot).
check condition of your drive belts, check undercarriage for any leaks.
i'm not trying to scare you, just trying to help find the cause of the smell
i'm sure there's other things that could be wrong or checked but i haven't had my coffee yet ;p me sorry

I tried to check some of the fore mentioned items, and they seem to be alright, I am not too sure though. Today the smell was very noticable, And i just came home from a 50 mile drive. So this happens regardless of how many miles I drive. I redlined my car a few times, while driving on the highway, though. Can this be my problem? I have Dinan software, so my rev limits are higher.

[AzNMpower32]

Burning engine oil?

Our '96 Lexus ES this frequently due to leaking valve cover gaskets. It's so bad it actually pentrates into the cabin, esp. when blowing heat, so the vents are blasting out a horrible burning smell.

[Eurosport]

oh ya totally forgot about that, valve cover gaskets, might be slow leak in the back where it's hard to see drips on hot block, nice smell
i had a leak on both valve cover gaskets at around 75k miles

[crosvs]

...so my rev limits are higher

mmmmmmmmm *droolz* i love higher rev limits ..... mmmmmmmmm so hottttttttt

lol sorry don't mind me i'm sick AND i have a ton of studying to do