[FC] Heater smell (stink?)

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Ben,

Oil smell from leaks--as in drops of oil burning off a hot surface--tend 
not to come and go but instead linger as the oil slowly vaporizes and 
decomposes.  I also cannot think of any correlation between leak rate and 
acceleration, other than that the exhaust temperature will surely rise when 
the engine is under load.  This would make me think that oil is getting on 
the exhaust system further down stream toward the muffler rather than the 
manifolds (which are pretty hot all the time).  If this were the case the 
engine may not be the source of oil; check for leaks from the differential 
and transmission.

Another source of oil smell that would strongly correlate to engine load 
yet go away quickly at cruise is crankcase vapors; greater engine 
load=greater blow-by.  In this case you should check the PCV system (or 
road draft tube if yours is an earlier engine).  Make sure the PCV valve is 
working properly, all of the hoses are connected and in good shape, and 
that the pipe leading to the engine top cover is not blocked with sludge.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, MI

At 04:50 PM 12/6/06 -0500, Ben's Bus wrote:

>Here's the deal. I had a "well refreshed" engine put in last Fall. It 
>really was done well. No problems last winter to speak of. Now I am 
>getting a stiff smell in the heat. It smells like a drop of oil falls on 
>the manifold and then it goes away. The engine is bone dry. No leaks to 
>speak of.
>
>This smell usually occurs while pulling out and while acceleratin at high 
>speeds such as to pass someone.


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