oil burning smell? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Morelli · 03-17-2005, 05:25 PM

No blue smoke at idle or full throttle. No significant oil loss. No oil leak.

But I can smell burning oil.

Anyone experience this? I've been told that Porsche engines like to do this, but I'd like to hear more...

Brucelee · 03-17-2005, 06:18 PM

If I had to guess, I would say cam cover gasket leak. Makes a faint smell when leak is minor. Later on, will smoke a bit.

Hope I am wrong on this!

Good luck!

porscheguy05 · 03-18-2005, 05:18 AM

Have you looked in the engine compartment to visually inspect for a leak that may not be dripping, but rather burning up before it has the chance to drip? It does not take more than a steady drip or very small leak to really stink it up.

Morelli · 03-18-2005, 05:47 AM

I just got my car last week from the shop, I had my 60k service done. They didn't notice anything. Of course, I didn't ask them to look because I didn't think about it. I'll have to rip into it this weekend maybe and look around. Blah... :ah:

RandallNeighbour · 03-18-2005, 07:35 AM

The fact that you just had the car serviced might be exactly why you have that burning oil smell. Doesn't take much oil to create that smell, coming from an oily rag or greazy hands.

I'd give it a couple of weeks and see if it persists before you invest lots of time into poking around... unless you enjoy fiddling and then I'd say knock yourself out!

Morelli · 03-18-2005, 07:40 AM

It's actually been that way for a while, even before the service.

xclusivecar · 03-19-2005, 06:50 AM

I have the same smell and am looking furiously for the cause. Its obviously not a bad leak as of yet but want to find it. Try to torque the valve covers if possible. I haven't done this yet but after some searching the boards I have noticed that people with the same problem have had the problem go away after they torque the covers back down. All have said the covers were "definitly" loose. Let us know!

Paul

Morelli · 03-19-2005, 08:29 AM

Mine is intermittent too...it doesn't always smell...

Perfectlap · 03-22-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

I have the same smell and am looking furiously for the cause. Its obviously not a bad leak as of yet but want to find it. Try to torque the valve covers if possible. I haven't done this yet but after some searching the boards I have noticed that people with the same problem have had the problem go away after they torque the covers back down. All have said the covers were "definitly" loose. Let us know!

Paul

wait a minute...you have a Boxster S AND a Lotus Elise?

you might be the coolest guy on the internet.

xclusivecar · 03-23-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

wait a minute...you have a Boxster S AND a Lotus Elise?

you might be the coolest guy on the internet.

Funny!

I guess i'm really only "half" cool. I had both for about 3 months and recently sold the Elise. I hated it! I won't get into why, but the Porsche is just much better suited for Chicago roads. Time to remove that car from my list I guess!

Brucelee · 03-23-2005, 05:13 PM

I tried to get into one of these recently. I am not a big guy but holy cow! Like trying to sit in a Cobra replica.