burning oil smell coming from strange place

[RP808]

Hello all,

After driving my car, I notice a slight burnt oil smell coming from the forward left hand side of the car, essentially from behind the headlight. I thought it might have simply been a leak (head gasket, or something) that had somehow dripped onto the exhaust, but after careful searching, I found that it was actually coming from this odd place. It is almost like it's coming from the a/c radiator mounted in front of the radiator but that doesn't make sense. Or does it?
My a/c is uncharged and I do not use it. No smell from heater vents either.
The belt is still on the a/c pump.
I am at a loss any and all input greatly appreciated.

[jlevie]

Power steering fluid is a possibility, but there is nothing in that area that should be hot enough to cause the burnt oil smell. Check carefully for overheating wiring.

[RP808]

I've already changed all PS lines to and from pump to rack. It is really a damn mystery to me. I thought that it could be the oil cooler but my car doesn't seem to have one; the oil filter goes straight into the block with no couplings or lines coming out of it. I'll keep looking as the smell has increased some now that it's been hotter weather. I'll check the closest wiring then. Thanks for the input. :)

[RP808]

I'm pulling the ac belt off today just to see if the pump isnt somehow causing this issue. I've noticed the high beam lens has a bit of condensation inside of it while the others do not. Thinking either leaky radiator core or leaky heater core.

[Mr. Tasty]

do you have an auto 325i? Could be the transmission fluid cooler that is built into the radiator. It is on the Driver's side so maybe that?