Burning oil smell

[Carl_G]

I have a 2003 V8 and noticed that after driving up to the local mountain for skiing I smell oil.

I'm driving at normal speed and the RPM is about 2000-2200 most of the time. I don't push it that much so the RPM's don't get that high. The drive up there takes about 20 minutes.

This has happened with my previous cars as well.

Can anyone explain why this happens?

Thanks

 

[rmstucky]

Yep.. I get that smell too.. It has been said that it could be grease off the drive shaft being flung onto the exhaust..Its a funky smell.

 

[Lexus LX]

Check the valve cover gaskets. Over time after thousands of thermal cycles the gasket can shrink. Simply re-torquing the bolts can fix it. It's a $3 gasket and a 20minute job for a complete replacement.

 

[Carl_G]

Thx very much

 

[JG1911]

As someone stated, check your valve covers for leakage. I have an '03 V8 (160k) and was getting a burning oil smell, took it in for an oil change and they inform me that my valve cover is leaking $380 to fix.

I took it home and all the bolts on the driver's side valve cover could be turned by finger, the pax side was as tight as the day it came from the factory. I tightened up the bolts (tight, but not two grunts and a fart, I was careful and slow) hosed the area with engine degrease and went on my way... 1400mi later, no leak and no burning smell.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

Though this might not be related to your issue, but if you accelerate too quickly on the gas pedal, you will get a 'rotten egg' smell coming from the rear if your back window is completely rolled down or opened just a little bit. My brother used the 'burning oil smell' as an excuse when he was driving the 4R for a short while but the issue was that I already had my oil changed a week prior to letting him borrow my 4R while I went out of town. I called him out, and I asked if it smelled like rotten egg he said yup. Then I *****ed him out about slamming the gas pedal too quick. Needless to say, but he's never using my 4R unless I'm with him. I specifically told him not to accelerate so quickly before letting him use my 4R. So much for people respecting your wishes.

 

[Carl_G]

Both great comments.

Two grunts and a fart. That's classic

And the rotten egg smell. I know what you mean and for some reason I like that smell. I know, I am strange.

 

[DC runner]

I am convinced the "oil smell" is the smell of plastic/polymer components heating up. Our gas tank is not metal but 7 layers of different components to make it "puncture proof" or as proof as possible. Plastic when warmed will give off a order, but not be melting. All those hoses and seals and gaskets all get nice and warm when that exhaust gets up to 700 degrees. I smell it too and notice it more after a good bit of highway driving, when my exhaust is heated up and staying hot.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Carl_G]

I never thought of that, thanks.