burning oil smell??

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by joe bretto, Feb 7, 2013.

  1. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    i have been smelling oil and some coolant while i come to a stop there is no oil or coolant on the garage floor in the morning (2004 wrx) any ideas
     
  2. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    Have you checked the oil and coolant levels? For how long have you smelled this? Was this immediately following heavy acceleration?
     
  3. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    normally just under normal driving. it lost less than half a qt in 3,000 miles
     
  4. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    What brand / weight oil are you using?
     
  5. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    rotella t6
     
  6. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    i smell it in the car and when you stand in front of the hood
     
  7. yarpirate
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    yarpirate BANNED

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    I experienced a similar smell in my old car after heavy acceleration, but it quickly dissipated. I'm pretty sure mine was caused by running rich after BOV actuation - do you have stock BPV?
     
  8. thakrazymule
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    thakrazymule Active Member

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    My car has some oil smell when I park it in the garage. But I have no leaks. I have concluded it must be coming from the oil vapor that ends up in the intercooler thru PCV. I could be wrong. 1/2 quart in an oil change seems to be normal for me, and most of us with wrx's. Any coolant missing? That's something I would concerned about. Gettin any white smoke out the exhaust? Could mean head gasket.
     
  9. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    nope no smoke at all, and yes stock bov.
     
  10. thakrazymule
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    thakrazymule Active Member

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    Have you checked the coolant level?
     
  11. TheSnowman
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    TheSnowman Well-Known Member

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    passenger valve cover leaking onto the exhaust header?
     
  12. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    ya doesnt go down much at all just a little
     
  13. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    actually i was just out looking there is some on the passenger side on the lower heat shield
     
  14. project/driven
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    project/driven Well-Known Member

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    I've got the same thing going on as well in my 2002 WRX. I am currently monitoring the fluid levels closely and am noticing no more than usual usage on either the oil or coolant. My plan is to replace both radiator caps(Mishimoto Radiator) to see if that affects the coolant smell. My oil issue is going to be a little more complex and will take a little more effort to take care of. Part of the issue I suspect is cam cover related, so I am replacing the cover gaskets along with the breather cover gaskets that sit on the cam covers. I am also going to go over the breather/PCV system and replace/clean anything that looks out of sorts. My biggest problem though is the fact that I had an oil filter go bad at the gasket some time ago spraying hot pressurized oil all over the passenger side of the exhaust manifold. This has taken Forever to burn off and I am convinced that the only way to remedy it is to remove all components and clean the hell out of them. All of this is waiting until spring when my warm weather cars can come back out to transport my happy ass around.
     
  15. joe bretto
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    joe bretto Member

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    ok thanks everyone are the valve covers easy to do
     
  16. joe bretto
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    Anyone willing to fix the valve cover?
     
  17. Terry Ammerman
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    Terry Ammerman Well-Known Member

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    Might want to also check the cv axle boot. They will crack and sling a little grease on the DP. The valve cove r is a simple fix and can easily be done in an afternoon with time to spare.