E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Burning Smell

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Old 10-30-2020, 03:01 PM
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E350
Burning Smell

So we have put like 2000 miles on our 2014 E350, V6 4matic with 50k miles on it. When the wife pulls into the garage there is a very strong burning smell for a half hour or so. I don't see any fluids on the floor nor any real signs of fresh oil. The belt looks good as well. Never owning a Mercedez, I don't know the quirks and/or problems with this car. Any tips, tricks, thoughts would be great.

I would guess it is a burning rubber smell based on how thick it is in the air.

Thanks
Thom

Last edited by no1tmorrow; 10-30-2020 at 03:04 PM.
Old 10-30-2020, 04:49 PM
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If you are serious, then you will have to put the car on a lift and do the diagnostics
Old 10-30-2020, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Plutoe
If you are serious, then you will have to put the car on a lift and do the diagnostics
thanks!

Hopefully I don’t have to take to shop, since I like to take a swing or two at it before I give in to the mechanic.

I got under it and all is dry. So that either is great or bad, tbd.
Old 10-30-2020, 05:19 PM
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Personally I wouldn't worry.
I'm no expert but I do notice that modern cars seem to emit strong 'burning' odours regularly.
I rarely park my cars indoors but even outside after a reasonably short drive I am often surprised at the apparent heat and smells!
Old 10-30-2020, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by decorily
Personally I wouldn't worry.
I'm no expert but I do notice that modern cars seem to emit strong 'burning' odours regularly.
I rarely park my cars indoors but even outside after a reasonably short drive I am often surprised at the apparent heat and smells!
lol I am thinking the same, waiting to see if something catches fire, then I’ll know where the problem is.

but figured I would ask the group then see what you all said.
Old 10-30-2020, 06:40 PM
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Mine started doing this too not too long ago - also a 2014 V6. On mine, it’s a small oil leak (see my post on here recently), down the front of the engine. No drips, but just enough to get on the engine itself. The heat is cooking it and it stinks just as you describe. Pop the hood, lift off the front engine cover piece and take a look towards the top/middle of the front of the engine.

Mine is going into the shop next week for an oil change and to have the leak fixed. Very common is my understanding.
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Old 10-30-2020, 09:00 PM
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Do you mind telling me what they find as the oil leak? Is it a specific gasket?
i will pop the cover tomorrow and see if there is any oil anywhere.

Thanks!
Old 10-31-2020, 10:26 AM
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This is what it says on my RO from my 2016 E350.

CLIENT STATES SMELLING A BURNING OIL ODOR
Cause: DW
Correction: 015702 REMOVE/INSTALL/SEAL FRONT COVER ON LEFT CYLINDER HEAD
Tech Number: 533 Labor Type: W67
015703 REMOVE/INSTALL/SEAL FRONT COVER ON RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD
Tech Number: 533 Labor Type: W67
Part Number Part Description Qty List Parts Total: No Charge
003-989-98-20-10 SEALANT MB 1
000000-006365 HEXALOBULAR BOLT 16
016-997-50-45 SEAL RING 4
276-141-01-80 FLANGE GASKET 6
000-990-39-24 SCREW WITH FEATURE 12

38941 LEAKING UPPER FT COVERS FOUND BOTH UPPER FT COVERS LEAKING---RESEAL BOTH UPPER FT COVERS & REPLACED ALL
4 CAM MAGNET O-RINGS

Job # A Total $ 0.00
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Old 10-31-2020, 04:56 PM
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I looked all over front of engine and found old oil, so I cleaned and cleaned. Now I will wait and see. "nc211" the areas in your photos are very similar looking to mine, just less oil and it all seemed old but a good cleaning will hopefully show the mystery...

Thanks guys!
Old 11-01-2020, 04:51 PM
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Does it smell like oil or plastics?
Old 11-01-2020, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Dane500
Does it smell like oil or plastics?

To me, I would say rubber but plastic is always a possibility (thanks for making me question my nose).

what would be plastic smell ?
Old 11-02-2020, 07:28 AM
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2013 E550 Sedan, 2005 E500 4matic Wagon
Originally Posted by no1tmorrow
To me, I would say rubber but plastic is always a possibility (thanks for making me question my nose).

what would be plastic smell ?
with a merc? In my experience a SAM that is shorting but then you get a ton of lights, malfunctions.....and in my case (w211) a car that starts itself.
Old 11-02-2020, 07:50 AM
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As previously suggested inspect under body I had a similar situation years back and found a plastic grocery bag melted onto exhaust.



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Old 11-02-2020, 08:26 AM
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Kongistiger,
I will do a full underside inspection. LOL I have acutally had the grocery sack too, years ago. I did a front inspection, laying on the ground, but will jack her up and giver her a proper looking at.

Thanks
Thom
Old 11-03-2020, 11:26 PM
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2010 E350 4Matic
Originally Posted by no1tmorrow
So we have put like 2000 miles on our 2014 E350, V6 4matic with 50k miles on it. When the wife pulls into the garage there is a very strong burning smell for a half hour or so. I don't see any fluids on the floor nor any real signs of fresh oil. The belt looks good as well. Never owning a Mercedez, I don't know the quirks and/or problems with this car. Any tips, tricks, thoughts would be great.

I would guess it is a burning rubber smell based on how thick it is in the air.

Thanks
Thom
Mine makes an occasional burning smell at shutdown. I know for sure that it is the oil vapor vent valve cover at the rear of the passenger side cylinder head. I have a replacement and just got a wrench that I hope will permit me to remove it.
Old 11-04-2020, 08:28 AM
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Old 11-04-2020, 12:58 PM
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People keep in mind that the w212 ( and benz in general) start the water heater for the windshield water fluid, and it is so strong it melts plastic to the point it splits the container.

It starts to happen the colder it gets.
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Old 12-05-2020, 02:51 PM
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Looks like forma-gasket is leaking

We finally got the car out after I have wiped down the area, on the drivers side. It looks like it is leaking under the metal plate that is held in with the torx heads. Looks like the majority of the leak is where the blue headed torx is at. Looks like a doable project but never working on a Benz, I am cautious and would like the experts (you all) on what that plate is called and is it that big of a deal?
Thanks and happy holidays.
Old 12-05-2020, 04:06 PM
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Left chain case (timing) cover part # 2760150201, related thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...over-leak.html






Old 12-05-2020, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by S. Madman
People keep in mind that the w212 ( and benz in general) start the water heater for the windshield water fluid, and it is so strong it melts plastic to the point it splits the container.

It starts to happen the colder it gets.
Is this why nearly ever Benz car I've had ends up with a windshield washer fluid leak? Nothing on the W212 yet but I am in GA.
Old 12-05-2020, 05:07 PM
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konistiger,That looks more than doable. Thanks so much!
Old 12-05-2020, 05:57 PM
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Last question. (Until the next one)

What gasket do you all use? I see Mercedes makes one but figured there would be something here in town that would work as good or better.

Thanks
Old 12-05-2020, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Is this why nearly ever Benz car I've had ends up with a windshield washer fluid leak? Nothing on the W212 yet but I am in GA.
Yes, the rubber grommet that the washer pump sits in leaks, or at least it did on seven of my early Benz's as they got old, the cars with headlight washers had two grommets and two pumps to leak.
Old 12-05-2020, 10:24 PM
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I can tell you on mine, which I believe also had this oil leak, the odor is completely gone now. I checked it a few times during my 2,400ish mile road trip over thanksgiving and no odors whatsoever. So for me, it was definitely the oil cooking on the engine exterior as it got hot.

The cost of just the oil leak fix was around $1,300 on the itemized bill. They had to take off quite a lot to get to it all. The other area that I am learning is pretty common for oil leaks is the cam magnet covers. Think those are very easy to fix though, lots of YouTube videos on it, seems quite common.
Old 12-06-2020, 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Is this why nearly ever Benz car I've had ends up with a windshield washer fluid leak? Nothing on the W212 yet but I am in GA.
On mine the tank split in two at the seam. Had to put marine silicon glue to seal it back up. You can also replace it, but it may come back.


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