Oil or engine smell in the cabin

S

StudioWizard

Member
 Los Angeles, CA, USA
Hey everyone

There is a light oil or engine fume smell coming into the cabin. I don't really notice it until I've been driving for a quite a while, then it seems to get worse. I've got a scratchy throat from it. The car has had all engine oil leaks fixed, but I thought maybe there was some residue still burning off the engine, but it's been several weeks now and the smell is still there.

Any thoughts?

PS: I searched but didn't find much
 
Check the cam cover gasket on the rear passenger (U.S) corner of cylinder head. Just run your fingers along the joint when the engine is cold. It can leak oil down onto the exhaust manifold giving a burning/smoke smell. Very common :thumbsup:
 
Hmmm. I've also been having the same, only when I push the car hard with high revs and so on (after the engine has been properly warmed up of course) for now I replaced the cabin air filter with a charcoal filter and I think I don't notice it anymore? I will run my fingers by the cam cover. No visible oil leaks so far.
 
Hmmmm.... Well, yesterday I was doing a lot of freeway driving, but I think I notice it quite often - even on short trips.
I replaced my cabin air filter a couple of months ago... it's a HEPA grade filter. Maybe it's coming in somewhere else.
 
Is the oil filter housing gasket ok ? Is the CCV system in good condition ? Is it an oil or smoke smell or is it coolant you can smell from a leaking heater matrix ? Does the car lose any coolant ? Does the heater work properly ? Are the front carpets damp ?
 
As already stated usual source of oil leaks that can produce smoke and smell are the Cam cover gasket that allows leaks to drop onto the hot exhaust. Also worth checking the spark plug wells as the centre gaskets around the base of the plug wells also go hard and brittle and allow oil to fill the plug wells. Only other place is the gasket between the oil filter housing and the engine block, this will leak down that side of the engine, not as hot as the other side but a potential source of your problem. If you change the cam cover gasket ensure you buy a complete gasket kit that includes the 15 round rubber seals for the cover retaining bolts if your cover is the plastic type. Originals go hard and dont compress enough to ensure a good seal of the main gaskets.
 
patriot66 said:
Is the oil filter housing gasket ok ? Is the CCV system in good condition ? Is it an oil or smoke smell or is it coolant you can smell from a leaking heater matrix ? Does the car lose any coolant ? Does the heater work properly ? Are the front carpets damp ?
Click to expand...

Oil filter housing gasket good
Not entirely sure about the CCV
Oil/Engine smell... definitely NOT coolant / car doesn't lose any coolant (that was fixed 8 mos ago)
Heater works perfectly - used it last night with heated seats and top down
Carpets dry as a bone
 
colb said:
As already stated usual source of oil leaks that can produce smoke and smell are the Cam cover gasket that allows leaks to drop onto the hot exhaust. Also worth checking the spark plug wells as the centre gaskets around the base of the plug wells also go hard and brittle and allow oil to fill the plug wells. Only other place is the gasket between the oil filter housing and the engine block, this will leak down that side of the engine, not as hot as the other side but a potential source of your problem. If you change the cam cover gasket ensure you buy a complete gasket kit that includes the 15 round rubber seals for the cover retaining bolts if your cover is the plastic type. Originals go hard and dont compress enough to ensure a good seal of the main gaskets.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
StudioWizard said:
patriot66 said:
Is the oil filter housing gasket ok ? Is the CCV system in good condition ? Is it an oil or smoke smell or is it coolant you can smell from a leaking heater matrix ? Does the car lose any coolant ? Does the heater work properly ? Are the front carpets damp ?
Click to expand...

Oil filter housing gasket good
Not entirely sure about the CCV
Oil/Engine smell... definitely NOT coolant / car doesn't lose any coolant (that was fixed 8 mos ago)
Heater works perfectly - used it last night with heated seats and top down
Carpets dry as a bone
Click to expand...
OK. If your CCV is the original from 2005 then it will be WELL past its best. The plastic goes brittle and falls apart. Worth the time and effort to replace it. If there are no obvious oil leaks down the block, especially on the hot manifold side; then as Colb suggests I'd be suspicious of the plug-well gaskets under the cam cover. Otherwise, I'm at a loss :?
 
OK, that's great info. I'll have my mechanic check the CCV system. I have no idea if it's ever been changed. I believe I'm owner #4, so who knows?
 
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