Oil smell inside car

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KC0514
First Gear
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2003 1:21 am
Location: Ma

Oil smell inside car

Post by KC0514 »

I've read the oil leak threads, but didn't find anything similar to my problem.

My car isn't leaking any visible oil, the oil doesn't seem to be going down at a rapid rate either.

When I shut the car off after a drive there is a distinct oil smell inside the car. But the smell doesn't appear to be outside or even under the hood when I open it.

Notes: I've only owned the car about a month, so I really don't have any long term oil usage info.
The car does need the exhaust replaced.
"Better to be a racer for a moment, than a spectator for life."- unknown

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-K-
Third Gear
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Post by -K- »

It could just be oil dripping onto the exhaust.
02 WRX Sedan, 5mt
93 Sport Sedan, 5mt
lgyee4
In Neutral
Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2002 4:53 am
Location: San Francisco

Re: Oil smell inside car

Post by lgyee4 »

KC0514 wrote:I've read the oil leak threads, but didn't find anything similar to my problem.

My car isn't leaking any visible oil, the oil doesn't seem to be going down at a rapid rate either.

When I shut the car off after a drive there is a distinct oil smell inside the car. But the smell doesn't appear to be outside or even under the hood when I open it.

Notes: I've only owned the car about a month, so I really don't have any long term oil usage info.
The car does need the exhaust replaced.
I had the a silimar problem when there was an oil leak at the turbo.
1993 Turbo Wagon Stock w/turbo back 3"exh, KYB's
vrg3
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Post by vrg3 »

Is the smell that of oil, or of burning oil?
inzomniac
First Gear
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Post by inzomniac »

Get under the car and take a look at the rear passenger side of the engine... if the symptoms are the same as almost every other legacy out there it should be soaked in oil... this will be the problem. It's the cam seal back there... they leak like mofos, and never get serious. I talked to a subaru mechanic a while ago that's a friend of mine, and he told me to just leave it unless it gets alot worse, and mine sometimes smokes bad enough to send it back up through the hoodscoop!! If it just stinks, check that out... also see if it's coming out the tail pipe like mine is now :roll: Piston rings here I come.
Gary
1995 Legacy LS wagon
1991 Legacy Turbo - 5spd, JDM EJ20 conversion
1985 RX sedan - dual range 4WD, 5spd (P4 rally car)
random aircraft....
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