Weird odor with open sunroof

Christos · 07-22-2014, 10:32 PM

When driving with the windows up but sunroof open or tilted up I smell a weird odor. I can't quite place the odor but its smells like machinery or radiator fluid or oil?? I don't know. It's quite bothersome. Any ideas?

OC40 · 07-22-2014, 10:35 PM

Summer in Jersey?

Fronzdan · 07-22-2014, 11:06 PM

Probably the grease that is used to lube the track of the roof panel. Open it up and try sniffing around there, see if that's what you're smelling.

stormlv · 07-23-2014, 03:23 AM

I've got the same problem.
I always thought it was from the engine...

SouthernBoy · 07-23-2014, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

When driving with the windows up but sunroof open or tilted up I smell a weird odor. I can't quite place the odor but its smells like machinery or radiator fluid or oil?? I don't know. It's quite bothersome. Any ideas?

Does it smell like coal?

IndotagSwizz · 07-23-2014, 05:32 AM

I used to have the same problem and I wondered if it will ever go away, I now have over 10k miles on it and it's finally gone, tho I'm not sure if it's really gone or if I got so used to it that I can no longer smell it lol

Christos · 07-23-2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Does it smell like coal?

Don't know, not sure what coal smells like

Clearmysix · 07-27-2014, 02:47 PM

I got this too. I think it smells like charcoal. I assumed it was from the material used to lubricate the sunroof or some sort of insulation that is exposed when the sunroof opens. Still a strong smell after 4k miles. Goes away once the sunroof is open for a while.

JRJ1970 · 07-28-2014, 07:04 PM

I too had this with my new 428i. Yes, it does seem to dissipate with time. I did wipe up the excess oil from the tracks and that helped too.

DJ Rocc · 07-28-2014, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Probably the grease that is used to lube the track of the roof panel. Open it up and try sniffing around there, see if that's what you're smelling.

+1

The_One · 07-10-2017, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

When driving with the windows up but sunroof open or tilted up I smell a weird odor. I can't quite place the odor but its smells like machinery or radiator fluid or oil?? I don't know. It's quite bothersome. Any ideas?

I have a 2014 F32 435M, and I have the same issue. I have located the weird odor, which is the lubricant used in sunroof rail. It smells like vomit after drinking alcohol.

I had dealership look at the issue and they removed all the old lubricant and applied new. BUT it still smells the same. Especially after exposed under the sun for a few hours, the odor can get really serious and annoying.

I DIYed the job by trying to remove the lubricant as much as I can and used degreaser to further remove the residue and then applied Vaseline as new lubricant. It was so much better.

Because I didn't find how to remove the sunroof so I couldn't remove all the lubricant, it still smells a little. But it was so much better and I can barely smell it when I have a fragrance diffuser in my car.

hope this can help
and looking forward anyone else's solution to this problem

The_One · 07-10-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Does it smell like coal?

If you are asking about the lubricant for sunroof. It smells like vomit after drinking too much alcohol to me.

xG35c · 07-10-2017, 07:51 PM

This is a fault in the design of the AC system pulling in stinky oily air from somewhere and out the vents when the sunroof is opened and creating a vacuum at high speeds.
Only cure is to close the sunroof!

haggag · 03-19-2018, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

When driving with the windows up but sunroof open or tilted up I smell a weird odor. I can't quite place the odor but its smells like machinery or radiator fluid or oil?? I don't know. It's quite bothersome. Any ideas?

Had to resurrect this.
I bought a used f22 and every time I open the windows or the sunroof I smell this smell, machinery seems a good description, or burnt grease, or just grease. At first I thought it was some kind of engine shine spray that was evaporating when the car heated up, but it's been a while and it would have evaporated already, the smell is still there and it is really bothering me.

What people describe seems to match what I am experiencing except I also notice it when opening the windows, maybe even more than the sunroof, do you think it is also the same grease issue in the windows?

Appreciate any input, can't find any info on this.

Billfitz · 03-19-2018, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavisS

If you are asking about the lubricant for sunroof. It smells like vomit after drinking too much alcohol to me.

So it does smell like New Jersey!

FWIW I've never had any smell from mine.

RAK92 · 03-19-2018, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggag

Had to resurrect this.
I bought a used f22 and every time I open the windows or the sunroof I smell this smell, machinery seems a good description, or burnt grease, or just grease. At first I thought it was some kind of engine shine spray that was evaporating when the car heated up, but it's been a while and it would have evaporated already, the smell is still there and it is really bothering me.

What people describe seems to match what I am experiencing except I also notice it when opening the windows, maybe even more than the sunroof, do you think it is also the same grease issue in the windows?

Appreciate any input, can't find any info on this.

I don’t think this would be from the windows or sunroof because of the strong vacuum that’s created when driving the car with the sunroof open and/or windows down. The smell is likely coming from the vents as that is where you would get the most airflow from a vacuum created by driving.

haggag · 03-19-2018, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAK92

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggag

Had to resurrect this.
I bought a used f22 and every time I open the windows or the sunroof I smell this smell, machinery seems a good description, or burnt grease, or just grease. At first I thought it was some kind of engine shine spray that was evaporating when the car heated up, but it's been a while and it would have evaporated already, the smell is still there and it is really bothering me.

What people describe seems to match what I am experiencing except I also notice it when opening the windows, maybe even more than the sunroof, do you think it is also the same grease issue in the windows?

Appreciate any input, can't find any info on this.

I donÂ’t think this would be from the windows or sunroof because of the strong vacuum thatÂ’s created when driving the car with the sunroof open and/or windows down. The smell is likely coming from the vents as that is where you would get the most airflow from a vacuum created by driving.

hmmm interesting, I never thought it could be from the vents since there's no smell when I close the windows. I'll investigate next time

pstainsb@hotmail.com · 12-16-2018, 07:23 AM

I have a 66 reg 335d. I have a smell coming from the sunroof wind deflector when it wet. It smells like cat wee. When it has rained for a couple of days the smell comes into the car, so I open the sun roof and the wind deflector mesh will be wet, rub your fingers on it and it stinks. Have to dry it out and frebreeze it, which solves the problem for a while. The dealers response was, "don't know what to do about that"

Billfitz · 12-16-2018, 08:16 AM

The deflector should not get wet. I suspect the sunroof seals are not watertight.

pstainsb@hotmail.com · 12-16-2018, 09:26 AM

I was under the impression sunroof seals are not water tight, that's why there are water drain channels. If it should be water tight that explains the problem, thanks

IAmATeaf · 12-16-2018, 09:42 AM

When the roof is closed it should be water right else you’d end up with horrendous wind noise. The water drains are there to ensure that if any water does get in it has a way of getting out rather than pooling in he channels.

07-22-2014, 10:32 PM	#1
Christos Captain 189 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2019 Z4 s3.0 Msport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central, NJ iTrader: (0)	Weird odor with open sunroof When driving with the windows up but sunroof open or tilted up I smell a weird odor. I can't quite place the odor but its smells like machinery or radiator fluid or oil?? I don't know. It's quite bothersome. Any ideas? __________________ 2019 Z4 sDrive 30i Msport, Previously owned BMWs, 2014 428i Msport, 2008 335i Coupe, 2007 328xi sedan, 2002 325i sedan 1996 318ti (loved this little car)
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07-22-2014, 10:35 PM	#2
OC40 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 335i MSport + MPS/MPPK Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 MINI S [0.00] 2013 BMW 335i [0.00]	Summer in Jersey?
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07-22-2014, 11:06 PM	#3
Fronzdan Lieutenant Colonel 303 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: '24 M240 xDrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Probably the grease that is used to lube the track of the roof panel. Open it up and try sniffing around there, see if that's what you're smelling.
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07-23-2014, 03:23 AM	#4
stormlv Human 932 Rep 1,200 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Geneva iTrader: (1)	I've got the same problem. I always thought it was from the engine... __________________ 2023 BMW M4 CP xDr \| 510HP / 650Nm \| Isle of Man Green \| Photo album Sold 2018 BMW M4 DCT / ZCP\| 450HP / 550Nm \| Sakhir Orange \| Photo album \| Tribute Sold 2014 BMW 435xd \| 360HP / 710Nm \| Estoril Blue \| Photo album 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i DKG \| 306 HP / 400Nm \| Space Gray \| Photo album
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07-23-2014, 05:32 AM	#6
IndotagSwizz Major 525 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: F30 320i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	I used to have the same problem and I wondered if it will ever go away, I now have over 10k miles on it and it's finally gone, tho I'm not sure if it's really gone or if I got so used to it that I can no longer smell it lol __________________
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07-27-2014, 02:47 PM	#8
Clearmysix Private 8 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 328d Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I got this too. I think it smells like charcoal. I assumed it was from the material used to lubricate the sunroof or some sort of insulation that is exposed when the sunroof opens. Still a strong smell after 4k miles. Goes away once the sunroof is open for a while. __________________ '14 328d base. Alpine white/black. Moonroof. Heated seats.
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07-28-2014, 07:04 PM	#9
JRJ1970 Captain 27 Rep 600 Posts Drives: 2014 428i F32 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	I too had this with my new 428i. Yes, it does seem to dissipate with time. I did wipe up the excess oil from the tracks and that helped too. __________________ Jay (in San Antonio, TX) 2014 428i coupe, mineral gray metallic with black interior, black ash trim, luxury edition.
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07-10-2017, 07:51 PM	#13
xG35c Lieutenant 36 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	This is a fault in the design of the AC system pulling in stinky oily air from somewhere and out the vents when the sunroof is opened and creating a vacuum at high speeds. Only cure is to close the sunroof!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-16-2018, 07:23 AM	#18
pstainsb@hotmail.com Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335d x drive Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (0)	I have a 66 reg 335d. I have a smell coming from the sunroof wind deflector when it wet. It smells like cat wee. When it has rained for a couple of days the smell comes into the car, so I open the sun roof and the wind deflector mesh will be wet, rub your fingers on it and it stinks. Have to dry it out and frebreeze it, which solves the problem for a while. The dealers response was, "don't know what to do about that"
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12-16-2018, 08:16 AM	#19
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The deflector should not get wet. I suspect the sunroof seals are not watertight.
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12-16-2018, 09:26 AM	#20
pstainsb@hotmail.com Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335d x drive Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (0)	I was under the impression sunroof seals are not water tight, that's why there are water drain channels. If it should be water tight that explains the problem, thanks
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12-16-2018, 09:42 AM	#21
IAmATeaf Captain 238 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2015 F30 335i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 335i [0.00]	When the roof is closed it should be water right else you’d end up with horrendous wind noise. The water drains are there to ensure that if any water does get in it has a way of getting out rather than pooling in he channels.
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