After driving my E30 for a while I get a hot oil smell as if it's burning on the block somewhere, but I can't find what may be causing this.
It also sounds a bit tappy in high revs when driving, I was wondering if that's the vanos unit because it doesn't sound anything like lifters. Maybe the two are related but I'm unsure and after a long journey I smell of burnt oil.
Hot oil smell
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HairyScreech
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
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The cause of the hot oil smell is oil being heated up on the block somewhere by the engine heat.
It's no coincidence it smells like hot oil.
Seriously though it's most likely a small leak somewhere, wouldn't worry about it unless your leaving puddles, a lot of older engines weap a bit it just comes with age.
However, on reading your second bit, it might pay to go oil leak hunting, when was the oil last changed?
Has anything been tinkered with recently before this issue started?
What is your current oil level?
what state is the breather set up in?
and what grade of oil is in there?
It's no coincidence it smells like hot oil.
Seriously though it's most likely a small leak somewhere, wouldn't worry about it unless your leaving puddles, a lot of older engines weap a bit it just comes with age.
However, on reading your second bit, it might pay to go oil leak hunting, when was the oil last changed?
Has anything been tinkered with recently before this issue started?
What is your current oil level?
what state is the breather set up in?
and what grade of oil is in there?
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Green
- E30 Zone Squatter
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It's been doing it for a while, I changed the rocker gasket about 10 months ago to see if that would help and did an oil change around the same time. I'm using the recommended castrol oil but forgot what it is grade is. I'll check when I get home tonight.
It's set up with the breather going into the rubber air intake to circulate.
Oil level is at max, doesn't appear to be losing oil though.
It's set up with the breather going into the rubber air intake to circulate.
Oil level is at max, doesn't appear to be losing oil though.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Check the steering fluid level. A rack leaking through the RH boot can put oil onto the exhaust.
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Green
- E30 Zone Squatter
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Not power steering Brian so I think we can rule that out!
It's currently got castrol magnetec 5w-30 in it. Definitely due a change though by now.
It's currently got castrol magnetec 5w-30 in it. Definitely due a change though by now.
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Ivan2terrible
- E30 Zone Newbie
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Had the same problem.. I have a hairline crack on the plastic tappet cover, m52.. Upon removing tappet cover, noticed oil in plugs 6 n 1..
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DanThe
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Its common for the gaskets to leak at the back of the head on the RH corner, also the half moon shaped cutouts at the rear, a smear of liquid gasket before fitting the cover gasket stops this