2006 BMW X3

Tiny
MIKE_D
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 BMW X3
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
About a month ago my wife complained that her 2006 X3 was smoking under the hood and smelled like burning rubber. I came home at lunch to check it out and could not find any evidence that could produce smoke or burning rubber. I could not get the problem to be duplicated again until today. The smoke was very light and lasted only a few seconds. The outside temp was about 35F, we only drove the car for 15 minutes to the parking garage when the smoke came out from under the hood. The AC was not on, temps and fluids were normal. After troubleshooting again, I could not get the problem to present itself again.

I've looked on the internet for possible causes and the only thing I can find that is close is possibly the Crankcase Vent Valve. However, there's no evidence of moisture in the valve cover.

What's next?

Need some assistance.
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 AT 4:31 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Did the smoke have an aroma you can describe to me?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
MIKE_D
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My wife said it smells like burning rubber. My nose doesn't work very good, so I can't accurately describe it. The smoke only lasts for about 5-10 seconds and it only comes from the right side of the hood.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 23rd, 2010 AT 7:26 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
If this seems like a safety issue to you, tow the car to your repair facility straightaway. It might be something like oil on the exhaust manifold from a valve cover gasket leak.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, April 24th, 2010 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
MIKE_D
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your assistance.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, April 24th, 2010 AT 2:47 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links