98 Limited smells hot......

[WenatcheeSkier]

:wow: So my new to me 98 smells hot but the engine temp appears fine, fluid levels are good, no warning lights on. No visible leaks. It's like an oil hot smell.
Thoughts?
nervous to take it far from home...

 

[Rimcrew]

I would first check the valve cover gaskets to make sure they are not leaking oil onto the exhaust manifolds.

 

[1985taylor1925]

My 98 has smelled like burning oil and rubber and exhaust since I got it. It's probably just a slight valve cover leak. I wouldn't worry about it. Just routinely check your oil

 

[JoeT4R]

I am quite familiar with the smell that you are more than likely smelling. I don't know how else to explain it aside from that "hot" smell. You could run a ScanGauge II and closely monitor the exact temperatures of your engine and transmission, along with other things of course. It's a great tool to have, even for the price. Just my .02

 

[WenatcheeSkier]

I am quite familiar with the smell that you are more than likely smelling. I don't know how else to explain it aside from that "hot" smell. You could run a ScanGauge II and closely monitor the exact temperatures of your engine and transmission, along with other things of course. It's a great tool to have, even for the price. Just my .02

Thanks for the Tip Man, I'll look into one. I love all the gauges on my 12 valve Dodge for that reason.

 

[pluton]

In the case of my '97, the Hot 4Runner Smell is undoubtedly minute amounts of oil from the valve cover gaskets evaporating off the hot block or exhaust.
It is a simpler smell than the classic Hot GM Car From The Seventies Smell, which is a more complex blend of hot grease, hot oil, crankcase vapor, hot wiring, hot plastic parts, hot paint, hot brakes, hot hoses, and hot tires.

 

[Tinigunner11]

My 97 does it too. Check the back corner of the passenger side valve cover, it probably has a slow leak. Get a 10mm socket and GENTLY snug it down, or change the gaskets.

 

[TrickyNicky]

Was curious about that smell on mine today. Just got it a week ago and every sound or smell makes me nervous. I already knew the valve cover gasket was leaking some, this makes me a little less worried.

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[amalik]

Gosh, it's threads like these that make me wonder if any 3rd gen in history at this stage hasn't suffered from VCG's/cam plugs/half moons

 

[DontKnowRunner]

Ditto on the scan gauge. My 99 was running warm - engine temps up to 210 - apparently not hot enough to trigger warning lights. Swapped out the thermostat and I can now see its running consistently at 188. Love having the scangauge.


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[Airmapper]

Leaky valve covers are not a problem, it's the Corrosion Reducing Active Protection System, or CRAPS.