my car smells bad! lol

[d_block.5]

After my car heats up to normal operating temperature it starts to smell like burning oil. However, my car does not burn oil. Everytime i check it is full, it did have a leak in the valve cover gasket but i changed out both.

I'm wondering if this smell can be from the excessive caked up oil/coolant/grease/whatever thats been collecting over the years, and if a good power-washing would help. Or is there another option to power-washing that wont require me to cover inlets and remove vacuum lines?

I really don't mind the smell but it gives other people headaches.

 

[OneJoeZee]

Something burning?

Jump the diagnostic block. I'm guessing you'll come back with code 911

 

[iceberg319]

clean out pcv??? idk maybe its the residue from the old leaking oil burning off. check the exhaust manifold, maybe something is melting on it? check the exhaust manifold bolts, maybe its leaking?

 

[d_block.5]

Something burning?

Jump the diagnostic block. I'm guessing you'll come back with code 911

My diagnostic port is all corroded. I don't know if it will still work?

clean out pcv??? idk maybe its the residue from the old leaking oil burning off. check the exhaust manifold, maybe something is melting on it? check the exhaust manifold bolts, maybe its leaking?

I was thinking it would be the residue. Mainly because of the 5mm thick pile up of gunk on the cover between the two valve covers. Also, in general there is a lot of pile up from all of the years the car has been through.

I can not directly pinpoint the smell: it's definitely not from the exhaust.

I have a look at things in the morning when I install my new thermostat and do my fluids.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

My diagnostic port is all corroded. I don't know if it will still work?



I was thinking it would be the residue. Mainly because of the 5mm thick pile up of gunk on the cover between the two valve covers. Also, in general there is a lot of pile up from all of the years the car has been through.

I can not directly pinpoint the smell: it's definitely not from the exhaust.

I have a look at things in the morning when I install my new thermostat and do my fluids.

Did you clean out the spark plug holes under the middle cover? That's were I was getting a burning oil smell from the plugs getting hot and cooking the oil residue. If you had that much residue on the top it's got to be realy gunked up in the holes.
You don't really want to use a power washer unless you're going to be pulling the motor. Get you some spray engine cleaner like Gunk or Enginebrite, the foam stuff worked good for me. Just follow the directions on the can. Most of them work better with the motor warm. Then hose it off after it sets awhile and dry off everything with some bath towels. After you get most of the gunk off around the middle cover then clean out the S.P. recesses. Turkey baster works good to get the water and oil out of there then rags. Not a fun job, but a necessary one to keep the oil from building up and shorting the plugs out. Have fun.

 

[CRE]

My diagnostic port is all corroded. I don't know if it will still work?

Most likely the port isn't corroded. You're probably looking at the old dielectric grease which is there to prevent the terminals from oxidizing.


As for the smell, does it smell like oil? Start with cleaning the engine and try to get the top of the bell. housing as well. Then, clean the exhaust (manifold, drainpipe, etc.).

 

[f00g00]

People are literally getting headaches from the smell? Back hatch seal sounds like the culprit for that. Mine had a small tear in it which allowed air cycling from the back to enter the hatch and gas everyone.
Compressed air works really well in cleaning up the middle area between the valve covers. Water would be the worst thing as it will get in the plug valleys and short out. Then you need the compressed air anywayz to blow it out.