BMW 328i 1997 - Smell 'oil cylinder burning"

There are a number of possibilities here. Oil that is very old (high mileage) will become hydrocarbon contaminated over time. This can have a gasoline-like smell. There could be a problem with the piston rings allowing fuel the run down the cylinder walls into the crankcase. This can also occur in an engine that has a misfiring cylinder since the fuel is not being burned. Lastly, a leaky fuel injector can be flooding a cylinder, either when running, or after vehicle shutdown and before the fuel pressure bleeds off. This fuel will lay in the cylinder and eventually leaking into the crankcase, contaminating the oil.

Check the valve covers for small leaks, the oil will run down onto the exhaust manifold and this causes the burning smell. Oil leaks on this model and engine is a very common issue.

Check your valve cover gaskets, bet they are leaking and that is burning off.

Check for external oil leakage along right side of cylinder-head. Oil can burn on exhaust in such small amounts you will not see it or smell it.

OIL BURNING SMELL PROBABLY COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AT TAIL PIPE WHERE CAR BURNING OIL.KNOCK NOISE AT RADIO AND TRANSMISSION SHIFT STICK COULD BE STICK SHIFT LEVER MOUNTING BOLTS COULD BE LOOSE OR SHIFT LEVER BROKEN.

A small amount of oil could be leaking from valve cover on to hot manifold, the oil would burn off leaving a oil smell that could permiate car interior.

This could be caused by two things. Your engine could be burning excess oil under strain which smells like burning rubber, and also the belt could be slipping causing the smell. The only other thing is the tires may be slipping if they are worn. This would cause very uneven wear on the tire so the last one would be very obvious.

possible valve cover leaking,at least this is more likely the cause, they make a die that you can use too help determine where it is leaking but some dies require ablack light too see the die,

Ok you will have to have it scanned. It probably has cylinder misfire codes and random cylnder misfires. You could need spark plugs and or coils. The scan will tell you exactly which cylinder is missing. That will cure your problem and remember to change your oil and filter right before you go in for the smog test. Also if the car hasn't been serviced in a while it would be a good idea to replace the air filter and fuel filter.

I *think* that's the solenoid on the charcoal canister which is part of the vapor return system. Do you smell fuel? Probably should get a pro to diagnose that one. However you can find the canister under the spare tire if you want to have a look for something obvious.