smell of something burning?

joshx9 · 03-19-2015, 05:48 PM

first let me preface this by saying my friend changed the oil and filter to my car two weeks ago.

i started noticing the smell of oil burning a week ago, but there is no leaking to be seen on my parking spot. i can smell it when im driving with the windows down and when i put the a/c on.

i can smell it most when im down and up against my front drivers side tires, but when i pop the hood and put my face towards the engine the smell is not there.

anyone have a clue what this might be? im going to check oil levels when i get home.

thank you all in advance.

ccs68 · 03-19-2015, 07:20 PM

If your oil levels are fine when you check them, I would take a quick look under the car for a bag that may have gotten stuck or touched something and melts a bit when the engine gets hot. I had this happen to me some years back when I ran over a plastic bag (grocery store type) and it found something to latch onto.

joshx9 · 03-19-2015, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccs68

If your oil levels are fine when you check them, I would take a quick look under the car for a bag that may have gotten stuck or touched something and melts a bit when the engine gets hot. I had this happen to me some years back when I ran over a plastic bag (grocery store type) and it found something to latch onto.

thank you for the suggestion, my friend who changed the oil said he might have leaked some oil onto the exhaust itself and its heating up on the exhaust

ayrton88 · 03-20-2015, 09:41 AM

I would guess it is just oil dripped on your exhaust. I had a Honda once that was almost impossible to change the oil without some getting on the exhaust and it would smell for a week after I changed the oil.

Joker_J · 03-20-2015, 10:21 AM

That is just another reason for me to go to the dealership and have them change it xD lol

nis350 · 03-20-2015, 08:04 PM

I would think the oil should be burned off by now. Just have your friend remove the 4 bolts on the cover and see if there is any leak from either the drain bolt and/or the oil filter. Did you friend make sure that the gasket came off from the old oil filter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshx9

thank you for the suggestion, my friend who changed the oil said he might have leaked some oil onto the exhaust itself and its heating up on the exhaust

joshx9 · 03-21-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nis350

I would think the oil should be burned off by now. Just have your friend remove the 4 bolts on the cover and see if there is any leak from either the drain bolt and/or the oil filter. Did you friend make sure that the gasket came off from the old oil filter?

havent been able to drive it in a couple days cause of the snow in NY.
hes going to take a look at it next week when he can get it lifted at his work

Jordo! · 03-21-2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayrton88

I would guess it is just oil dripped on your exhaust. I had a Honda once that was almost impossible to change the oil without some getting on the exhaust and it would smell for a week after I changed the oil.

This. Probably just oil burning off of whatever it leaked onto. Nothing to worry over if no other evidence of leaking.

joshx9 · 03-22-2015, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

This. Probably just oil burning off of whatever it leaked onto. Nothing to worry over if no other evidence of leaking.

thanks, would the smell go away after a while? cause its still smelling

kenchan · 03-22-2015, 07:22 PM

How'd he screw up a z's oil change?

everything is accessible once tray is off.

Did he fail while pouring the fresh oil? clean his mess.
Shine a flash light down next to the filler side of the engine and see how much he spilled.
Hell, id wash the engine bay.

joshx9 · 03-28-2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

How'd he screw up a z's oil change?

everything is accessible once tray is off.

Did he fail while pouring the fresh oil? clean his mess.
Shine a flash light down next to the filler side of the engine and see how much he spilled.
Hell, id wash the engine bay.

haha my friend just texted me, it was a plastic bag melted on the exhaust

joshx9 · 03-28-2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccs68

If your oil levels are fine when you check them, I would take a quick look under the car for a bag that may have gotten stuck or touched something and melts a bit when the engine gets hot. I had this happen to me some years back when I ran over a plastic bag (grocery store type) and it found something to latch onto.

this was exactly it, thanks

kenchan · 03-29-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshx9

haha my friend just texted me, it was a plastic bag melted on the exhaust

But burnt oil and burnt plastic have a completely different scent..

03-19-2015, 05:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
joshx9 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: new york Posts: 25 Drives: '14 7AT 370z Rep Power: 15	smell of something burning? first let me preface this by saying my friend changed the oil and filter to my car two weeks ago. i started noticing the smell of oil burning a week ago, but there is no leaking to be seen on my parking spot. i can smell it when im driving with the windows down and when i put the a/c on. i can smell it most when im down and up against my front drivers side tires, but when i pop the hood and put my face towards the engine the smell is not there. anyone have a clue what this might be? im going to check oil levels when i get home. thank you all in advance.

03-19-2015, 07:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
ccs68 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 20 Drives: 12 Sport or 89 YJ Rep Power: 11	If your oil levels are fine when you check them, I would take a quick look under the car for a bag that may have gotten stuck or touched something and melts a bit when the engine gets hot. I had this happen to me some years back when I ran over a plastic bag (grocery store type) and it found something to latch onto. joshx9 likes this.

03-20-2015, 09:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	I would guess it is just oil dripped on your exhaust. I had a Honda once that was almost impossible to change the oil without some getting on the exhaust and it would smell for a week after I changed the oil. Jordo! likes this.

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03-20-2015, 10:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joker_J Track Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Ville, KY Posts: 580 Drives: 2014 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 13	That is just another reason for me to go to the dealership and have them change it xD lol

03-22-2015, 07:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	How'd he screw up a z's oil change? everything is accessible once tray is off. Did he fail while pouring the fresh oil? clean his mess. Shine a flash light down next to the filler side of the engine and see how much he spilled. Hell, id wash the engine bay.