Vibration/burning smell/clicking?

2009 BMW X5

127,118 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC

LAXMAX313

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I just bought the vehicle listed above 3.0 inline 6. It was running good when I bought it, but I took it to inspection and found out I need new brake rotors and pads before it’s considered safe to drive. When I start it up it idles almost low and high of sorts. No changes in RPMs though. When it’s idling there’s also an almost rubber burning smell as well as quite a large vibration. When I’m driving if I give it a quarter throttle it starts to vibrate as well but less so when I put my foot all the way down. The engine also sounds as if the belt is clicking or something is clicking. I know some stuff about cars, but this is starting to make me wonder what’s going on, it just got a belt replacement as well. Included is a video of the engine/clicking.

Video (Click to enlarge)

Jan 15, 2025 at 4:28 PM

LAXMAX313

MEMBER
5 POSTS

The tire burning smell is very overwhelming at times and the vibrations are getting worse. I’m getting the brake rotors and pad replaced. But I don’t think those are the issues. It’s also worth noting that this could be an oil leak I guess but usually you get that burning smell because oil drips onto a hot engine the smell is immediately there even if the engine is just started, and I know for sure it is cold. Included is a video of the vibration.

Video (Click to enlarge)

Jan 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Thanks for the videos, they help. To me the smell sounds like the oil is dripping onto the exhaust manifolds or the exhaust hangers are broken which will cause the sounds you have in the second video. The engine noise sounds okay to me, maybe a little timing chain noise which is typical for 127k. Let's raise the car up and inspect the exhaust system mounts, this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Here is what you are looking for, these donut looking hangers can break allowing the exhaust to contact the frame. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

Image (Click to enlarge)

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Jan 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM

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