1987 BMW 325e smell

Hi guys, I have a question about a smell coming from my 1987 325e. Alright, the smell is not always occurring, it is on and off, also it doesn't smell when the car is started or shut off. It almost smells like burnt popcorn. I have a feeling that the problem lies with in the A/C and Heater blower. Just recently when I turn the fan to 1 it begins to vibrate, and this becomes louder and faster as it moves towards 4. The noise seems to be coming on the driver side (left) right where the dash meets the windshield. However I keep the fan off when I drive but the smell sometimes still occurs. Let me know if you have an answer or a similar problem. I don't know what to do.

That's a new one! Does it make you hungry for popcorn every time you drive?

I have no idea what it could be, but welcome to the fest anyway!

Originally Posted by 1987E30

Hi guys, I have a question about a smell coming from my 1987 325e. Alright, the smell is not always occurring, it is on and off, also it doesn't smell when the car is started or shut off. It almost smells like burnt popcorn. I have a feeling that the problem lies with in the A/C and Heater blower. Just recently when I turn the fan to 1 it begins to vibrate, and this becomes louder and faster as it moves towards 4. The noise seems to be coming on the driver side (left) right where the dash meets the windshield. However I keep the fan off when I drive but the smell sometimes still occurs. Let me know if you have an answer or a similar problem. I don't know what to do.

Sounds like your blower motor is toast. I just replaced mine this weekend with a new one. Cost me 285 bucks. Its alot but definently worth the money.

Originally Posted by Newman271

Sounds like your blower motor is toast. I just replaced mine this weekend with a new one. Cost me 285 bucks. Its alot but definently worth the money.

a bad blower motor doesnt smell like burnt popcorn. although a hot motor with leaves and junk in there can.

only way to truely know is to get the blower assembly out and change it since thats one of those one time only jobs

I almost promise if he pulls that blower out it smells like burnt popcorn. I used to go to school for Electro-mechanical enginneering.. so I've burnt plenty of electric motors up. Most of the time everyone says it smells like burning band-aids lol. I replaced mine over the weekend and it was so bad I could barely turn the blades by hand.

ive never smelt a motor with a similarity of burnt popcorn. grant it, i hardly ever burn popcorn so maybe thats where my experience is lacking. and im an HVAC tech, i deal with burnt motors on a daily basis.

Have you looked under the hood? Maybe there is some popcorn waiting for you under there?

I've had the engine compartment smell of mariuana, as the client had been smuggling it in the air-cleaner housing

Check your shocks and struts I noticed a smell like that and to find out the struts are leaking. Which when driven distance it has a smell of burnt pop corn like