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