Does the underside of my center muffler look normal?

keylime503 · 05-30-2023, 12:32 AM

I started noticing a strange smell after driving last week. It didn't seem like it was coming from any of the wheels/brakes nor the engine bay. I lifted up the car this weekend and took a look underneath. It looks like there is some sort of burnt/rusty residue on the underside of my center muffler. It's the only thing that looked abnormal to me so I'm wondering if it might be causing the smell when the car is hot.

f87CSdrifterential · 05-30-2023, 05:14 AM

Does it smell like melting plastic? Looks like you may have driven over a plastic shopping bag that touched the exhaust before melting itself and coming loose.

medphysdave · 05-30-2023, 12:52 PM

I was going to say the same thing

keylime503 · 05-30-2023, 01:32 PM

Hmm that's a good guess. I tried to wipe it off at first (it looked wet from far away) but it's pretty dried on there. I'll try going for a longer drive to heat it up and see if I can wipe it off after that.

inTgr8r · 05-30-2023, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keylime503

Hmm that's a good guess. I tried to wipe it off at first (it looked wet from far away) but it's pretty dried on there. I'll try going for a longer drive to heat it up and see if I can wipe it off after that.

My first thought was a plastic bag as well.

You might try a solvent that will dissolve plastic to clean most of it off.

infinitekidM2C · 05-31-2023, 12:19 PM

ralphs bag
each bag has their own scent
i lean towards melting albertson's bags but to each his own

David1 · 06-03-2023, 06:15 PM

Its marked for life..

05-30-2023, 12:32 AM	#1
keylime503 Major 630 Rep 1,227 Posts Drives: M2C 6MT, Audi A4 Avant Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Does the underside of my center muffler look normal? I started noticing a strange smell after driving last week. It didn't seem like it was coming from any of the wheels/brakes nor the engine bay. I lifted up the car this weekend and took a look underneath. It looks like there is some sort of burnt/rusty residue on the underside of my center muffler. It's the only thing that looked abnormal to me so I'm wondering if it might be causing the smell when the car is hot. Attached Images __________________ 2017 M240i European Delivery Trip Report
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05-30-2023, 05:14 AM	#2
f87CSdrifterential First Lieutenant 188 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 CS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (4)	Does it smell like melting plastic? Looks like you may have driven over a plastic shopping bag that touched the exhaust before melting itself and coming loose.
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05-30-2023, 12:52 PM	#3
medphysdave Brigadier General 4551 Rep 4,658 Posts Drives: M2 CS \| 85 of 592 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	I was going to say the same thing
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05-30-2023, 01:32 PM	#4
keylime503 Major 630 Rep 1,227 Posts Drives: M2C 6MT, Audi A4 Avant Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Hmm that's a good guess. I tried to wipe it off at first (it looked wet from far away) but it's pretty dried on there. I'll try going for a longer drive to heat it up and see if I can wipe it off after that. __________________ 2017 M240i European Delivery Trip Report
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05-31-2023, 12:19 PM	#6
infinitekidM2C Major General 4206 Rep 5,728 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.50] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.39]	ralphs bag each bag has their own scent i lean towards melting albertson's bags but to each his own
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06-03-2023, 06:15 PM	#7
David1 Brigadier General 812 Rep 3,949 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Its marked for life.. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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