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Oil burning smell?

T

tom5170

New member
Back in October, I noticed a burning smell almost like a burning candle. I thought it was a plastic bag stuck on the exhaust. Come to find out it was my valve covers leaking, at least the front was leaking because I could see smoke coming off the manifold and it smelled just like that smell.

I ended up doing my LIM and UIM gaskets. While I was in there, I replaced both valve cover gaskets. I noticed the front valve cover bolts were LOOSE and that could've been why it was leaking, also the BACK valve cover bolts were loose too - this was BEFORE I replaced the gaskets. Afterwards I put the new gaskets in, torqued everything in sequence, and I never smelled that smell again.

The other day I smelled something like OIL burning right when the car got up to operating temperature. Then it went away.

Then tonight I drove around, but I was punching it hard because I changed my exhaust. After I got home, I sat idling in the driveway with the windows down and I could smell oil burning.

The oil filter looks dry. But should I check to see if the valve covers are leaking again? I didn't replace those rubber things around the bolts because they didn't look worn. Should I use some kinda thread sealant on those valve cover bolts? What else can cause this smell? Would an oil pan gasket cause this smell? I did get a recall notice in the mail about the front valve cover leaking oil and causing an engine fire. My spark plug boots have the silver heat shield on them.

Car does have 198k but runs really well. I replaced the PVC valve when I did the UIM.
 


tom5170 said:
Back in October, I noticed a burning smell almost like a burning candle. I thought it was a plastic bag stuck on the exhaust. Come to find out it was my valve covers leaking, at least the front was leaking because I could see smoke coming off the manifold and it smelled just like that smell.

I ended up doing my LIM and UIM gaskets. While I was in there, I replaced both valve cover gaskets. I noticed the front valve cover bolts were LOOSE and that could've been why it was leaking, also the BACK valve cover bolts were loose too - this was BEFORE I replaced the gaskets. Afterwards I put the new gaskets in, torqued everything in sequence, and I never smelled that smell again.

The other day I smelled something like OIL burning right when the car got up to operating temperature. Then it went away.

Then tonight I drove around, but I was punching it hard because I changed my exhaust. After I got home, I sat idling in the driveway with the windows down and I could smell oil burning.

The oil filter looks dry. But should I check to see if the valve covers are leaking again? I didn't replace those rubber things around the bolts because they didn't look worn. Should I use some kinda thread sealant on those valve cover bolts? What else can cause this smell? Would an oil pan gasket cause this smell? I did get a recall notice in the mail about the front valve cover leaking oil and causing an engine fire. My spark plug boots have the silver heat shield on them.

Car does have 198k but runs really well. I replaced the PVC valve when I did the UIM.
Click to expand...

I never used thread sealant on the bolts. Check your oil level. Could be excess oil burning off or something? Look under the valve cover for oil.
 
they are what keep the covers tight really, the bolts have a shoulder that only lets the bolt be so tight. new grommets make the cover tighter.
 


where did you buy the vc gaskets? they usually come with the rubber grommets for the bolts as they should be replaced along with the gaskets. did you clean the manifolds when you replaced the gaskets? could be residual oil burning off
 
Well you must have got a return or something I have felpros they come with the grommets

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Can a rear main or oil pan gasket cause a smell? I've heard that lower oil leaks on these engines just drip on the ground and dont burn.

I'll pick up some grommets at auto zone in the morning.
 
Also, do I need to remove anything on the back valve cover to get to the bolts? I know the front it looks like i'll need to remove the dog bone.
 
Lol didn't you just change the gasket? I'm not sure if you can get to the 2 rear bolts on the end without looking at it. I'm pretty sure the belt tensioner bracket with the coolant elbows are in the way not sure though. I've always hated that you can't pull valve covers with out draining some coolant and pulling the front and back brackets off so annoying.

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Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets do not come with grommets. They only way you can get them as a set is if someone makes it that way.

DNJ engine parts brand comes with the gaskets and grommets. $7 on rock auto.

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