Oil smell / new cam sensor

[bmerhaus]

Hi there,

I have a 2000 328i (140k miles) and I recently had the cam sensor (exhaust side) changed. Immediately after that, I noticed an oil burning smell but just figured the mechanic dripped some oil on the manifold when changing the sensor. Now it's been a couple of weeks and I can still smell it even from inside the car.

My question is this. Is there an o-ring on that sensor that he could have messed up and can I just replace that or do I need to get a whole new cam sensor? Hopefully he didn't screw anything up putting it in.

I've made up my mind that from now on I'm going to take care of some of these things myself. I just signed up for this forum and I've already learned a lot.

Thanks

[Manolito]

The e46 Bentley manual is available on Amazon.com for $82 including shipping. If you want to start doing it yourself that is where you should start.

Second thing will be a Peake tool or equivalent so you can reset your oil change light and read out engine codes. That will run you about $180

Those will be the two big expenses. After that it is just basic tools.

At 120k miles, you are about due for oxygen sensors. That will be a good job to get you started (right after you fix your oil leak).

Also, at 120k miles, have you changed your tranny and rear end fluids yet? On my automatic, I pay a shop to do the tranny because it has to be level and warm to get the fluid level correct and that is more trouble than it is worth in my garage.

[bmerhaus]

I forgot to mention that this car is a manual 5 speed, so I don't think there's a fluid change for that is there? I will definitely do the diff fluid change and oxygen sensors next. I also have a secondary air pump relay that needs to be replaced so I've already ordered that from Pelican.

About the Peak, is that the one that shows you the code and code definitions on the screen? I've seen another one called a Code Scout 1500 for about $130 that shows you the definitions. Is the Peak just better?

[Manolito]

I would change the fluid in a manual transmission on the same schedule that I would change the differential oil.

I cannot speak to the utility of other code scanners as I have used only Peake. I would presume that they are probably just fine unless I found negative reviews.