Topic: Oil smell

[camarobuyer86]

 Im detecting a subtle smell inside the car of dirty-oil, the smell coming into the passenger compartment.  Is this carbon buid-up in the manifold?  is it the symptom of just needing a tune-up with new plugs and air-fiter?  91 camaro.  seems to run fine otherwise.

[jamie1]

I would suspect oil leaking onto the exhaust.

[barrie1]

Camarobuyer86 Welcome to the Forum, Jamie1 is probably correct with his statement. Check you valve covers expecially the back ends of them for slow leaks. They do seep out onto the exhaust manifolds and burn the oil off. Thats what you are smelling in the car. Try to torque them down around 15-18lbs equally or replace them and do it then. Good set of Felpro's Detroit or whom evers brand you choose.

[camarobuyer86]

thanks for the responses guys.   Actually, I think I also detect some exhaust leaking. the car is a 91 camaro.  I call myself camarobuyer86 only because its a reference to an old  friend of mine who rode a Yamaha Vulcan motorcycle and called himself vulcan86 on ebay. But back to my car: 91.  body in great shape.  motor running decently.  bit of a gas guzzler.       As for the oil leak o the manifold, I'll probably bring it in for a tune up.  I think I might be more concerned about the exhaust leak.

[Roadrunner]

Check and see if you can wiggle the exhaust pipe from below the engine. If there is some play, the donut washer could be deteriorating and causing a leak. Do you get exhaust fumes in the car through the firewall?

[barrie1]

Definitely get the exhaust work done 1st as that is a safety issue for sure. Is it Duals on this car? I would consider stainless for the cost if you are going to keep it. Its not that much more and you won't ever replace it.