Oil Smell when driving not idling

[AngelXL]

This just started about 2 months ago. I do my own oil changes and double checked that everything is good with oil filter, plug and all good. When I push the truck I get an oil smell inside the cabinet (only when heat on)
I checked driver side and no wetness but on the passenger side top and bottom i see that wetness assuming is oil. But nothing is dripping. 2016 with 76k miles is it normal for cover gaskets to go ?

 

[Big Mama]

Pretty common issue for it to leak from the gaskets. Driving hard warms the oil so it gets thinner and can leak more.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Mine smells when idling. It isn't burning it or using it, the level stays full, but there is a smell. I can't see any sign of it leaking out anywhere. I have some new valve cover gaskets to install.

 

[thefrey]

Based on your pictures, I think it might be your valve cover gaskets on passenger side and then down to your oil pan area next to your starter. The wetness on your exhaust manifold looks like oil. I think valve cover gaskets leaking are fairly normal. It's a 10 year old gasket at this point. They're about 20 bucks for the pair online.

Also, I think the smell points to it burning on your exhaust manifold...

Here's what I would personally do:

1. Pull off the plastic valve cover/coil pack cover to see if you can see any oil leaking. It may not be a valve cover gasket itself, but perhaps one of the gaskets for the bolts that hold down the valve cover.
2. Wash everything. Get as much oil off as you can. Dawn is pretty good at that.
3. See if/where it comes back.


If you wanna get real specific, UV dye your oil and buy a UV light. That will tell you exactly where the oil is coming from.

 

[Big Mama]

Mine smells when idling. It isn't burning it or using it, the level stays full, but there is a smell. I can't see any sign of it leaking out anywhere. I have some new valve cover gaskets to install.

Do you have a catch can?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Do you have a catch can?

I do not. Been kicking around adding one. Would that eliminate the oil smell at idle when there's no apparent leaks? And do you have a recommended brand and model?

 

[DoubleDingo]

I do not. Been kicking around adding one. Would that eliminate the oil smell at idle when there's no apparent leaks? And do you have a recommended brand and model?

I just bought a J&L 3.0 from summit. Hope that helps with the oil smell at idle

 

[Big Mama]

I can’t say it’ll help with that but it can’t hurt. It just popped into my mind. @Doubeleive will know though.

 

[Doubeleive]

I doubt that a catch can will help with a oil leak, thise are for helping to prevent oil fumes going into the intake.

 

[Big Mama]

I doubt that a catch can will help with an oil leak, thise are for helping to prevent oil fumes going into the intake.

I was wondering if that’s where the oil was coming from. It was a long shot. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Doubeleive]

I was wondering if that’s where the oil was coming from. It was a long shot. Thanks for clarifying.

from the pictures it looks like a valve cover leak

 

[DoubleDingo]

I can’t say it’ll help with that but it can’t hurt. It just popped into my mind. @Doubeleive will know though.

I doubt that a catch can will help with a oil leak, thise are for helping to prevent oil fumes going into the intake.

It arrives today. Next weekend I can install it if time allows. Bigger more pressing items need to be addressed first.

 

[Doubeleive]

It arrives today. Next weekend I can install it if time allows. Bigger more pressing items need to be addressed first.

it's not a critical issue and doesn't look severe, just keep the oil topped off in the meantime. I have had vehicles leak a lot worse than that
had one leak so bad it caught on fire a few times lol, that was while in the process of trying to fix it the gasket would get pinched (invisible under the cover) everything would look ok, then you go drive it a couple miles and wammo fire in the engine bay, 2 new sets of valve covers and 4 gaskets latter problem solved...

 

[DoubleDingo]

it's not a critical issue and doesn't look severe, just keep the oil topped off in the meantime. I have had vehicles leak a lot worse than that
had one leak so bad it caught on fire a few times lol, that was while in the process of trying to fix it the gasket would get pinched (invisible under the cover) everything would look ok, then you go drive it a couple miles and wammo fire in the engine bay, 2 new sets of valve covers and 4 gaskets latter problem solved...

My apologies to the OP, while I do have oil smells, it's not visibly leaking, at least not that I've seen. It doesn't burn or use oil, just smells of it while idling. I do appreciate your input, and I do have some new valve cover gaskets to install. Life has been way crazy since Christmas, one thing after another happening taking away my efforts from things I need to get done, like working on vehicles.

 

[Doubeleive]

My apologies to the OP, while I do have oil smells, it's not visibly leaking, at least not that I've seen. It doesn't burn or use oil, just smells of it while idling. I do appreciate your input, and I do have some new valve cover gaskets to install. Life has been way crazy since Christmas, one thing after another happening taking away my efforts from things I need to get done, like working on vehicles.

if you get under it with a flashlight and look up you should be able to find the source

 

[DoubleDingo]

if you get under it with a flashlight and look up you should be able to find the source

Interesting fact, changed the oil on Sunday, it doesn't smell at idle anymore.