Burning plastic smell

[nabizzy]

Got my car back today from the engine malfunction light thing, they said it was a piston misfire and then some coding errors. Drove around today going slower than normal, under the limit, and started smelling burning plastic. When parked still smelled it. Passengers acknowledge it too, it isn't super overpowering, but enough where it is bothersome.

[zarathustra]

you got a plastic bag stuck to your undercarriage and slowly melting
the length of the smell is proportional to the size of the bag

[X5M Badass]

Dude, it is normal, next time your car gives you an error, don't freak out just restart your engine if the error pops back on then you need to take the car back to the dealer, otherwise your good to go.

note: it happens with all the x5ms especially when the engine is under pressure it is bound to happen once in a while.

[nabizzy]

thanks guys

this is my first car that I'm paying for, so every little thing freaks me out lol

i think you guys are right

[nabizzy]

Smell is still going, I have noticed it really starts after i am stopped with the car on for an extended period of time, like at a long light or in line for a stop sign. I have driven probably 200 miles since I made this thread and it still smells, so idk if a plastic bag could still be making it smell.
halpppp

[Gerryballz]

Originally Posted by nabizzy

Smell is still going, I have noticed it really starts after i am stopped with the car on for an extended period of time, like at a long light or in line for a stop sign. I have driven probably 200 miles since I made this thread and it still smells, so idk if a plastic bag could still be making it smell.
halpppp

Open the hood and look towards the back center, there is a plastic divider with weatherstripping on top. It's known to get brittle and crack. When it does, it sits on the heat shield of the exhaust.

[windtendo]

Just curious, do you have the seat warmers or heated steering wheel turned on when you experience this? I have noticed this SLIGHTLY when I have both of these on and sitting idle for 5-10 minutes+... Could be something with the heating elements

[buckeyewalt]

I have the same issue, smells like either plastic or something electrical. Took it to the dealer and said it was "normal", no codes or any issues. It might have something to do with the recirculation of antifreeze through the intercoolers to get the temps down. I have a 50i and notice it when driving for a while, stop and wait a few minutes then it starts. There is no smoke or anything like that, just the smell.

[nabizzy]

I do have the seat warmers on, and either the A/C or heater most of the time. I also play my iPod if that makes a difference. I don't have heated steering wheel as my car has the alcantara wheel, wish i did, i would put that on too lol. Its pouring rain outside so when its done I will check the weatherstrip thing

i find it strange that a 110K car that has a burning plastic smell is classified as normal....i don't know if i should take it to the dealer or not hmm

[theonesupreme]

If these parts broke, the plastic smell will be very strong. The smell will be gone after the new parts.

[nabizzy]

i will take pictures and post them

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I also have the burnt plastic/electrical smell....I think my aux pump might have died. It smokes from under the intakes when I stop after a long trip (1hr plus). I am going to BMW to see if it ever had the recall done. It almost has 60,000miles (93,000km) so I am not sure what recalls they still honour. if it's a federal mandated recall it should still be honoured.

[speedwaywhite]

I have the same issue of burnt plastic smell. I'm going to look under the hood for the heat shield issue (don't think I have the plastic bag underneath). This could be an interesting thread...

[nabizzy]

any news?

[X2Board]

I just had my dealer replace the plastic divider that Gerryballz mentioned. It had degraded due to the heat, and some of the pieces fell onto the manifold. The tech cleaned off what he could, and the smell is already less today.

[windtendo]

Originally Posted by theonesupreme

If these parts broke, the plastic smell will be very strong. The smell will be gone after the new parts.

What are we looking for here? I'm not sure what to look for. Thanks!

[novablackm3]

37k miles just checked and sawy heat shield melted and dangling . same issue for me getting it replaced

[JimsDi]

I took that advice to turn the car off and wait awhile for the engine malfunction light to go out. Not a good idea. I got stuck on the side of the highway yesterday and now my X5 is sitting in the dealership parking lot. I'm waiting urgently for some news.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

My smell seems to have went away on it's own

[SakM_5]

Originally Posted by theonesupreme

If these parts broke, the plastic smell will be very strong. The smell will be gone after the new parts.

Does anyone know the part numbers to these pieces? Every diagram I look at doesn't show these particular pieces.

[theonesupreme]

Originally Posted by chris95559

Does anyone know the part numbers to these pieces? Every diagram I look at doesn't show these particular pieces.

51717169421
51717169419
51717169420

[SakM_5]

great! thank you!