Smells like burnt rubber

I notice sometimes when I'm driving on the freeway, smells like burnt rubber...Is this something that I should be concerned about or I need to replace something?? I also nitice this when I stop the car and smell it while engine is hot...NEED SOME OPINION ON THIS MATTER/CONCERN..THANKS!

Sounds like your valve cover gasket is leaking and the smell is the oil getting burned off. Search here for DIY if you are capable. Sometimes you will see a whitish smoke also, typical of VCG leak. This is a fairly common E46 thing.

or it is burning rubber...and it's a belt either slipping or getting hung up on a pulley with a bad bearing.

Any burning smells in your car, you'd typically want to be concerned about...unless it's a cigarette or blunt that you're smoking!

thanks for the infoo! Will probably replace the valve cover gasket... How much does it cost to have it replaced anyway? Any idea?? I could buy the part for atleast less than $30 but what about labor??

I paid an indy mechanic $300 to replace the VCG and sparkplugs. I think if I was doing it again I would use some of the excellent DIY's found here to tackle myself.

Do it yourself. If you have a basic set of tools, you're better off saving the 300-500$ a shop may charge you. It's not nearly as hard as you may think. Just time consuming if it's your first time.

Thanks for the advise.. appreciate it!

After replacing the valve cover gasket did the smell go away?

These references may help:
- How to replace the M54 valve cover gasket (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (2004 E46 video) (another E46 video) (yet another E46 video) & which VCG brand to buy (1) (2) & what VCG lubricants to use (1) & how to replace the timing chain tensioner and rail guide on the I6 (1) & on the M62 (1) & on the M62TU (1) (2) (3)

Also consider replacing the oil separator valve. Although this is a relatively difficult job, more than likely it is what is causing your valve cover gasket to leak. Not much gained by replacing the VCG only to have it start leaking again.

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Originally Posted by dmax56

or it is burning rubber...and it's a belt either slipping or getting hung up on a pulley with a bad bearing.

Any burning smells in your car, you'd typically want to be concerned about...unless it's a cigarette or blunt that you're smoking!

FPMSL......