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Burning Oil Smell from HVAC Vents in Cabin...Most Likely Culprits?

S

SkullV

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
996
Location
Chicago, IL
Hey guys, so I have what seems like an intermittent oil burning smell coming from my in cabin vents when the heat/ac is on. I do not see any leaks from the front of the motor, and there are no puddles or stains whatsoever in the driveway. I only changed the oil 200 miles ago so it would be hard to tell if I have lost much oil, but the dipstick still reads full and the oil is as clean as the day it was put in. There is also no oil in the coolant reservoir so I am ruling out head gasket for the time being.

I'm guessing it's a valve cover gasket but I don't know if that is common on these cars. Any ideas?
 
On my car it was the oil pan gasket, but if you were under the car to check for leaks you would've seen the bottom of the engine covered in oil. Best thing to do would be get under the car with a flashlight and check beneath the valve covers on both sides. My experience is that valve cover leaks are not that uncommon.
 
I disagree with that analysis Brian. Last time I/Greg changed the oil on my car (whoever gets to it first :p) He spilled a decent amount from the funnel directly onto the manifold. It burned completely off within 5 minutes. :shrug:
 
zorrex said:
I disagree with that analysis Brian. Last time I/Greg changed the oil on my car (whoever gets to it first :p) He spilled a decent amount from the funnel directly onto the manifold. It burned completely off within 5 minutes. :shrug:
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I didn't see that part in the post about chanigng the oil 200 miles ago. it was just a simple question incase it was overlooked.

in this case I would say its something else.

I would look at the front cover, rear valve cover. they can start to leak and this runs down over the alternator and to the subframe and exhaust.
 
My Svt recently started leaking a small amount of oil from the power steering presure sensor/switch. I thought it might be the rear valve cover at first, since it dripped down from there. Glad to have spotted the oil on the sensor, much easier to fix.
 
SkullV said:
Hey guys, so I have what seems like an intermittent oil burning smell coming from my in cabin vents when the heat/ac is on. I do not see any leaks from the front of the motor, and there are no puddles or stains whatsoever in the driveway. I only changed the oil 200 miles ago so it would be hard to tell if I have lost much oil, but the dipstick still reads full and the oil is as clean as the day it was put in. There is also no oil in the coolant reservoir so I am ruling out head gasket for the time being.

I'm guessing it's a valve cover gasket but I don't know if that is common on these cars. Any ideas?
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Check the oil filter.
 
Got under the car, looks like the oil pan gasket is leaking on the passenger side closest to the firewall. Guess I'm going to leave it until it needs another oil change so I don't waste the $50 of oil I just put in it.
 
cabin air filter

cabin air filter

go ahead and replace your cabin air filter its about 20 bucks at parts store and otherwise ull never get the smell out of it. its prolly really nasty anyway.
 
Best thing, cold engine, CRC Brake Kleen non-flameable red can. Afew cans, a large oil bucket, safty glasses, and spray everything down, if you have access to compressed air, blow it all off after your done. It cuts oil and grease like no other engine cleaner, and drys fast.

Then maybe get a good idea were it's coming from. Oil dripping onto the exhaust pipe can smell for awhile. I had to do both valve covers and oil pan gasket, also cleaned alot of gunk around the front timing chain cover.

Do you ever see oil spots under the car? You might be able to place a piece of cardboard under it and get a good idea where to look.
 
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