[Joe-BMW33]

I think I have seen this issue posted. Yesterday I drove up to York, ME, stopped for lunch and then after hitting the road back I smelled something weird and so did my daughter. It was a combo of an electrical burning smell and a coolant smell. At times it made my eyes burn and water. It seemed to go away by the time I got back to MA. Did anyone have this issue? Was it ever resolved or diagnosed?

I'm under warranty but it's probably going to be one of those things that "they can't reproduce" and I'll waste a day at the dealer.

Maybe it related to both of the recent SIBs on coolant and the inter coolers? I do have to add coolant in this car more often than I have ever had to on other cars.

[AP]

Can you see anything in the engine bay, probably need a torch and not easy to see with all the plastic covers. At least that might tell you if there has been some sort of leak.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by AP

Can you see anything in the engine bay, probably need a torch and not easy to see with all the plastic covers. At least that might tell you if there has been some sort of leak.

Thanks. I opened the hood yesterday while it was smelling and didn't see anytime including puddles or burn off.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks. I opened the hood yesterday while it was smelling and didn't see anytime including puddles or burn off.

Look for white residue.

[Joe-BMW33]

At the dealer now.

[Joe-BMW33]

Needs updated coolant lines.

[YETIinFL]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Needs updated coolant lines.

Joe, what happened to the coolant lines that they needed replacement?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

At the dealer now.

Hey Joe, I know we talked about this via text, but I just asked my SA what the BMW procedure was called that solved the same toxic burn smell on my car.

He said its nothing specially coded, but the tech's call it "Cleaning the Valley" of the motor. I believe that is underneath the coolant lines.

I have not had the smell come back after it was cleaned.


-Mark

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

Hey Joe, I know we talked about this via text, but I just asked my SA what the BMW procedure was called that solved the same toxic burn smell on my car.

He said its nothing specially coded, but the tech's call it "Cleaning the Valley" of the motor. I believe that is underneath the coolant lines.

I have not had the smell come back after it was cleaned.


-Mark

Thank you for reaching out, I appreciate this. Man, what a toxic smell. I have never experienced this in any car. They had to give me a loaner. I got to the dealer at 9:00 AM, at 10:00 they said it was the turbo coolant line and it would be a few hours. At 11:00 they came out and put me in a loaner (X4) and said they didn't have all the parts.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by YETIinFL

Joe, what happened to the coolant lines that they needed replacement?

I don't know exactly, but they had to be leaking. I have had to add coolant 3 times in 7 months. The smell was after I drove the car for a bit and then shut down (for lunch). When restarted, the smell was toxic. I am guessing the coolant pooled when sitting and the engine burn off produced the smell.

[YETIinFL]

OK, I see. Is it normal to have to add coolant?
This will be my first car with turbos. I have a NA V8 now, so this is new to me.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by YETIinFL

OK, I see. Is it normal to have to add coolant?
This will be my first car with turbos. I have a NA V8 now, so this is new to me.

I do not think it was normal for me in the amount and frequency I had to add over the last 7 months. I probably added a few gallons. So I obviously had a leak, but from what I understand, a pinch or two every now and then isn't abnormal.

[430Scud]

There was a recall on the coolant lines and most cars should have had the update performed by now. I have seen threads where some have had to have them done a second time...not sure if that was due to faulty install, or the lines leaking/failing again. I bought my 2018 M550 used, but see in the records the recall/update was performed in 2019.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

There was a recall on the coolant lines and most cars should have had the update performed by now. I have seen threads where some have had to have them done a second time...not sure if that was due to faulty install, or the lines leaking/failing again. I bought my 2018 M550 used, but see in the records the recall/update was performed in 2019.

Thanks Dave. I scoured over the service history pre purchase and many times since and I know there is not an entry for this recall work being performed which surprises me given how OCD the prior owner was. I will be curious to see exactly what they do and also if they will replace the thermostat given the recent SIB. I'm not sure what the intercooler SIB is all about but it sounds like they use coolant as well.

[kosmokratur]

I had mine done a few months ago, soon after buying the CPO M550. The dealer said an early batch of coolant lines was bad and the later ones are an improved design. They also had to replace the heat exchanger in the "V" of the V8 (down under the turbos). There was lots of caked on residue from coolant down there. The work was under warranty but they estimated the charge for a self-pay customer would be around $2500.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by kosmokratur

I had mine done a few months ago, soon after buying the CPO M550. The dealer said an early batch of coolant lines was bad and the later ones are an improved design. They also had to replace the heat exchanger in the "V" of the V8 (down under the turbos). There was lots of caked on residue from coolant down there. The work was under warranty but they estimated the charge for a self-pay customer would be around $2500.

Thanks. I wonder if they will find the same. I kind of hope they do. It's in, so why not do as much as possible.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks. I wonder if they will find the same. I kind of hope they do. It's in, so why not do as much as possible.

I'm going to keep a close eye/nose on mine after they cleaned up the valley area. Seems to me if coolant was pooling and burning up inside the "V" area of the engine, something must be leaking.

Please forgive my common sense approach BMW Service.

[mffarrell]

I have a 2020;M550 with coolant smell and loss. Dealer can’t find the problem.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by mffarrell

I have a 2020;M550 with coolant smell and loss. Dealer can’t find the problem.

Did they tell you they "pressure checked" the coolant system ? Betting they did. I've had mine in twice for excessive coolant smell and toxic burning smell now. The last time, they noticed burnt up coolant inside the deep "V" section of the motor. So they cleaned it. No mention of how the coolant got there in the first place.

[steve090619]

Originally Posted by mffarrell

I have a 2020;M550 with coolant smell and loss. Dealer can't find the problem.

Originally Posted by mffarrell

I have a 2020;M550 with coolant smell and loss. Dealer can't find the problem.

You are leaking from tank. I can bet money on it. It is a very small leak, pressure test didn't pick my leak up also. I eventually had small dripping on my driveway. BMW told me no leak, pressure test fine. Then I showed them the picture of leak. Guess what, they found it. It's the tank. Check under driver-side (USA) wheel well. You will see small drops if fluid there. Look up, the tank is right above it.

[steve090619]

Originally Posted by steve090619

You are leaking from tank. I can bet money on it. It is a very small leak, pressure test didn't pick my leak up also. I eventually had small dripping on my driveway. BMW told me no leak, pressure test fine. Then I showed them the picture of leak. Guess what, they found it. It's the tank. Check under driver-side (USA) wheel well. You will see small drops if fluid there. Look up, the tank is right above it.

Originally Posted by mffarrell

I have a 2020;M550 with coolant smell and loss. Dealer can't find the problem.

Originally Posted by steve090619

You are leaking from tank. I can bet money on it. It is a very small leak, pressure test didn't pick my leak up also. I eventually had small dripping on my driveway. BMW told me no leak, pressure test fine. Then I showed them the picture of leak. Guess what, they found it. It's the tank. Check under driver-side (USA) wheel well. You will see small drops if fluid there. Look up, the tank is right above it.

I have 2017 540. It took 4 years (just before warranty to expire) to show leak on my driveway. I also smelled it through cars vent system. Smell started 1 year in.

[kosmokratur]

Mine had the leaky expansion tank, too. They didn'/t find that while they were doing the coolant lines/;'heat exchanger job. Coolant warning light didn't come on but I monitored the level visually and told them it was dropping. They then replaced the tank.