PCV/Oil Smell after driving the car hard

[Nickco43]

I am a bit baffled at this.

Whenever I drive the car hard there is always a PCV/Oil smell that sometimes comes into the cabin but almost always stinks up the garage after parking.

I have spent over $10,000 overhauling the car over the past year which included the oil separators, PCV valve, valve cover gaskets and OFHG. To the best of my knowlage the car does not leak any oil. There is always a little seepage around the oil filler cap (which was also replaced) leading me to believe there is positive crank case pressure. My mechanic recommended I install an oil catch can.

If I am being honest I am ready to move on from this car. I feel like I am finally always at the finish line and can enjoy the car but then something else pops up.

Thoughts?

[spammysammich]

Smoke test?

[deansbimmer]

If you only replaced gaskets and not the valve covers, I'll bet dollars to donuts that you have oil leaking onto the exhaust headers. The PCV system is very robust on this engine and rarely fails. A catch can is the last thing I would recommend on this engine.

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

If you only replaced gaskets and not the valve covers, I'll bet dollars to donuts that you have oil leaking onto the exhaust headers. The PCV system is very robust on this engine and rarely fails. A catch can is the last thing I would recommend on this engine.

2nd this. I had my valve covers replaced when the seal was due with the OEM magnesium and there's no oil leaks or smell after the job + 3 track weekends.

The shop told me they warp over a long period and will never seal properly after that amount of time so valve seals and covers are recommended together.

You might need to shop around and find a shop that knows this engine and platform better if they missed this step. Just an FYI, I'm about $19k into mine for maintenance over 4 years. You don't have to go that far yourself, but it's very easy to end up there if you don't pay attention to the car and what jobs you can do yourself. It does even out and they're not making this type of car again, so for me it's worth it.

[smokinjoe64]

...just an FYI, I'm about $19k into mine for maintenance over 4 years. You don't have to go that far yourself, but it's very easy to end up there if you don't pay attention to the car and what jobs you can do yourself. It does even out and they're not making this type of car again, so for me it's worth it.

Fully concur with Cmassey3 on PM and/or upgrade, replacements to extend life of a truly unique, 'bespoke' M3 generation...

Now don't feel so bad ...circa 2020 spent >$30K on replacements, upgrades, repairs
[ok, confess some pricey mods too ]