[Razor1973]

Car is a 6MT, has over 100K miles and I haven't driven it much in the past 10 months or so, just to the corner and back every 2-3 weekends. I recently changed the oil (good Castrol EDGE 5W-30 high mileage full synth), but forgot to use the use the washer in the screw that plugs the tank exit, so half of it dripped out. With little to no use, I still went ahead and dumped that oil and completed a full change again just yesterday, with filter replacement. After confirming I have the right amount of oil (right at the MAX mar), I took the car for a short 1/2 mile spin and when I got back and out of the car, I smelled something burning. I don't know exactly where it came from, which is why I'm coming to the experts. Any idea where to look? Again, the fact that the car has been sitting for so long should be key here. It also hasn't had any maintenance other than the oil change in at least 40K miles. That's definitely another factor.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

Car is a 6MT, has over 100K miles and I haven't driven it much in the past 10 months or so, just to the corner and back every 2-3 weekends. I recently changed the oil (good Castrol EDGE 5W-30 high mileage full synth), but forgot to use the use the washer in the screw that plugs the tank exit, so half of it dripped out. With little to no use, I still went ahead and dumped that oil and completed a full change again just yesterday, with filter replacement. After confirming I have the right amount of oil (right at the MAX mar), I took the car for a short 1/2 mile spin and when I got back and out of the car, I smelled something burning. I don't know exactly where it came from, which is why I'm coming to the experts. Any idea where to look? Again, the fact that the car has been sitting for so long should be key here. It also hasn't had any maintenance other than the oil change in at least 40K miles. That's definitely another factor.

Check for spilled oil on hot parts. Otherwise, you have a leak that needs to be addressed. The usual culprits are oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets. You also need to drive it longer to get any condensation out of the oil. With the little use your car gets the seals and gaskets will dry out and leak. An engine is meant to be driven and sitting is the easiest way to kill it; next to little or no maintenance. My wife drives very little anymore and I change her oil yearly, regardless of mileage (as it's usually around 1500 miles).

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Check for spilled oil on hot parts. Otherwise, you have a leak that needs to be addressed. The usual culprits are oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets. You also need to drive it longer to get any condensation out of the oil. With the little use your car gets the seals and gaskets will dry out and leak. An engine is meant to be driven and sitting is the easiest way to kill it; next to little or no maintenance. My wife drives very little anymore and I change her oil yearly, regardless of mileage (as it's usually around 1500 miles).

OK, so you recommend it I drive it often and be OK with the smell for a while as long as it's not terrible and only truly worry about it if it persists after prolonged use?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Razor1973

OK, so you recommend it I drive it often and be OK with the smell for a while as long as it's not terrible and only truly worry about it if it persists after prolonged use?

I would look for leaks (the oil filter housing gasket leaking has the potential of being catastrophic!) before anything else. Oil leaking on the serpentine belt causes it to fail and when it shreds it will likely get sucked into the oil pan through the front seal (which is probably dried out anyway).

I'm not a mechanic by any means, so value my "advise" by what you paid for it.

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I would look for leaks (the oil filter housing gasket leaking has the potential of being catastrophic!) before anything else. Oil leaking on the serpentine belt causes it to fail and when it shreds it will likely get sucked into the oil pan through the front seal (which is probably dried out anyway).

I'm not a mechanic by any means, so value my "advise" by what you paid for it.

Then, I'm way less of a mechanic than you are, because I don't know what those parts are or how I can get to them without googling them. That said, as soon as I sent that last message, I went to the post office and back in the car and the smell is definitely there. I popped the engine bay open and this is where smoke is coming from. It's white smoke, not black. Does this help narrow down the issue? You can also see a video here:

View post on imgur.com

. Please excuse my yappy dog in the background.

[Jeffcharger]

Do you think that it could just be burning the residual oil that collected/dripped when I leaked out?

[Razor1973]

Originally Posted by Jeffcharger

Do you think that it could just be burning the residual oil that collected/dripped when I leaked out?

Doubt it since it dripped directly from the tank to the ground. My car doesn't even have that plastic protector under it, lost it at some point. It's just that screw/plug, air, ground.

[BurrNinja]

Possible valve cover leak straight on exhaust. Believe it or not when I changed out mine that back bolt wasnt even tightened from who ever owned the car before me. At idle at lights or stop signs I had oil burnt smell in cabin. Went away after I replaced both gasket and cover. Pull the plastic engine cover off and shine a light along the side where the valve cover seats to see if oil residue is on there.

[CAF10]

Yeah, definitely valve cover gasket leaking on to the cat converter. Same thing happen to me, smells like burn rubber. Good luck.

[labenzm5]

It's a valve cover leak for sure. Take a flashlight and shine it where the smoke cane from. You will see an aluminum pan lip that will be brown from oil... the engine sits on an angle
Towards the passenger side.... the engine can catch fire.

My car just got picked up an hour ago for the repair. Go with the entire valve cover, not just the gasket. The labor alone will be around 600, you don't want to do it again.

Sorry but it's one of the joys of a 100k miles f10
Your water pump and oil filter gasket are next...

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by labenzm5

It's a valve cover leak for sure. Take a flashlight and shine it where the smoke cane from. You will see an aluminum pan lip that will be brown from oil... the engine sits on an angle
Towards the passenger side.... the engine can catch fire.

My car just got picked up an hour ago for the repair. Go with the entire valve cover, not just the gasket. The labor alone will be around 600, you don't want to do it again.

Sorry but it's one of the joys of a 100k miles f10
Your water pump and oil filter gasket are next...

Yes, definitely change the valve cover (OEM), good idea especially when over 100k. I am 140k, no leak, but have the squealing noise after hard use. When it starts leaking, i will replace the cover.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by labenzm5

...
Sorry but it's one of the joys of a 100k miles f10
...

Or any 100K mile car for that matter.

[hawkjr1]

Same thing happen to me, smells like burn rubber. Good luck.definitely valve cover gasket leaking on to the cat converter. I did a DIY took me a day because I wanted to be careful there are a few things that have to be remove to get the valve cover off. There is a DIY on a 335i I used.

[labenzm5]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Or any 100K mile car for that matter.

I've have plenty of cars over 100k miles without leaks... this is my first car with a plastic valve cover.

Shortly before the leak my water pump went on the highway and the car overheated... my SA (who is a buddy of mine) told me the plastic in these engines melt/crack pretty easy. I had the car flatbeded 90 miles to the dealer.

He told me three common repairs on these cars... water pump, valve cover, oil filter housing. Gasket. I have done all three.

I love the car, it's amazing and I plan on at least another 50k miles. If I had to replace it I would just get the same thing...

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by labenzm5

I've have plenty of cars over 100k miles without leaks... this is my first car with a plastic valve cover....

I guess it's all anecdotal. I haven't had one that didn't leak around 100K miles; though all Ford products.