My 330ci Smells Like Melting Crayons !

B

bmwcoupedriver

Member
#1
Messages
71
Likes
0
Location
New York, NY
#1
After a 40 minute drive today (In about 75 degree weather), I noticed a smell coming from my car like that of melting crayons. It was also coming through the A/C a bit before I parked.

Earlier this week, I stopped short to avoid a HUGE hole in the street. Although I proceeded at about 2 mph, I still heard a SCRAPE on the bottom of my car. Upon inspection, I find nothing serious but a scrape under my front spoiler. Could I have done some damage ? Any Ideas ?

Joseph
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

1000 Post Club
#2
Messages
1,853
Likes
0
Location
USA
#2
Not any that would affect the AC.... I still think the root of the problems with your car have to do with the BMW Manhattan service department.
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

1000 Post Club
#4
Messages
1,853
Likes
0
Location
USA
#4
Does it smell rubbery, and old. Like a dusty engine rubber maybe burning smell? Can you smell it from outside the car if the engine is hot? If that is it then I'd do one of two things: Either bare it, or take it to the dealer and they can attempt to fix the problem and in the process create a new one at no charge to you.
 
MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#5
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#5
It's a dirty micro air filter or whatever. Whenever it gets "full" to capacity or whatever...it just can't block out any more dust and dirt and mold and grime and stuff, and so it starts to suck that stuff in, through the A/C into the car. You gotta get the micro air filter replaced.
 
M

mikemac

New Member
#6
Messages
15
Likes
0
Location
bay area, CA
#6
I get that kind of smell when I've been running the air conditioner to cool off the car and then turn off the AC. But I've had this smell in every car I've ever owned with AC when I turn off the AC. I guess I've figured it just part of AC air flow, but I'm curious to hear if the dealer can do something about it.
 
olcrazy1

olcrazy1

Member
#7
Messages
87
Likes
0
Location
USA
#7
check your converter, I have sean it before someone runs over a plastic bag and it gets stuck to the converter and melts to it. The with your AC on it pulls the fumes through the carand smells like melting plastic (becasue it is melting plastic).

Actually may not be just the converter could be anywher eon the exhaust system since it is hot from engine to tail pipes.

Good luck
 
Kirby

Kirby

2
#8
Messages
4,917
Likes
18
Location
Reading,PA
#8
I've noticed that smell on mine and new ones I've driven. I've decided it's no problem, and here is a likely explanation. When your car is shipped across the pond it is prepped before putting it on the boat. They spray the entire car with a protective wax (not like normal car wax). When the car is received in the US, it is prepped again, and this wax is removed. I think that you are smelling some residual wax on the exhaust, engine etc.

Check this link for photos of vehicle processing. E.H. Harms

BMW definitely uses this logistics company. When I did Euro Delivery, I left my car with them in Munich for shipment to the US. They told me my car would be sent to Bremerhaven and on the same boat with a couple thousand new BMWs.
 
MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#10
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#10
epj3 said:
All german cars smell like that! I don't know why, but it does! Even my car smells like it, especially after being closed for a while.
Click to expand...
If you clean & condition your leather with Lexol, you will be presented with a nice fresh leathery smell every time you get into your car. [:D]
 
E

epj3

Senior Member
#11
Messages
7,370
Likes
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
#11
MrElussive said:
If you clean & condition your leather with Lexol, you will be presented with a nice fresh leathery smell every time you get into your car. [:D]
Click to expand...
A surprising number of bmw's had vinyl seats (I'm not sure how many past the E36, but up to and including the E36's, most had vinyl)
 
AIO

AIO

2
#12
Messages
54
Likes
0
Location
bmwboard
#12
It's the smell of the spores that accumulate in your A/C. A well-known problem by BMW. Drive with A/C on all the time. Or get it sprayed by special chemicals every 6 months. I don't think a third choice exists.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

1000 Post Club
#14
Messages
1,188
Likes
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
#14
I think there are juvenile mice, rats, cats or racoons living under your hood without your knowledge, and they are dropping their crayons on the exhaust manifold.

Or it could be caused by any one of the other reasons mentioned in the other posts.
 
aNoodle

aNoodle

1000 Post Club
#15
Messages
1,137
Likes
0
Location
Athens, GA
#15
A burnt rubber smell is something entirely different than the A/C smell, which is musty. I agree with the guys who said a bag stuck under the car or maybe belts. If it's cold start up, then goes away after it's warm, then it could be the engine cover gasket, but your car is so new.
 
Kirby

Kirby

2
#16
Messages
4,917
Likes
18
Location
Reading,PA
#16
bmwrocks said:
I think there are juvenile mice, rats, cats or racoons living under your hood without your knowledge, and they are dropping their crayons on the exhaust manifold.

Or it could be caused by any one of the other reasons mentioned in the other posts.
Click to expand...
[rofl]
Hahah, that really hits home. I had not driven my '84 Firebird for about a year. I decided to start working on restoring it and get it back on the road. I opened up the hood to check a few things, replace the battery, etc. and I saw FLUFF sticking out of the air intake snorkel. Friggin' MICE had built a nest in the snorkel and air cleaner!!!!!
 
E

epj3

Senior Member
#18
Messages
7,370
Likes
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
#18
BimmerBaller said:
97000 miles and no crayon smell to date

264000 on 84 528e no crayon smell

12000 on 2003 528i no crayon smell

and no vinyl...gross
Click to expand...
The E28's had leather? That's sweet. The only e30 that had real leather was the cabrio and the M3 [:(!]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top