Oil/petrol smell coming into cabin

[Ducer]

Hi all,

Since I bought my GQ at Christmas, I have been getting an burnt oil/fuel smell into the cabin... Even with the car off.

Today I decided to go problem solving so I pulled the glove box and center console out so that I could see the venting system and decided it wasn't from here.

I figured out that it was coming from the external air intake and not the recirculated air.
So I took off the windscreen wipers and then the grill that covers the air intake (behind the bonnet) thinking that something must have died in there. To no avail... Clean as a whistle!

Stuck my nose in the air intake area (behind the bonnet) and it smelt clean. Started the fan again and within 20-30 seconds the fumes started again.

Figured out that the smell was coming from the engine bay and that when the fans started up, it sucked air under the bonnet from the engine bay.

I then stuck my head deep down in the engine (near carby) and it smelt the same as what comes into the cabin.

So, the questions I have are:
- has anyone come across this before? If so, how was it fixed?
- should the smells from the engine be able to be sucked in through the air intake?
- could it simply be that the engine needs a shit hot clean?
- should I be looking at leaks once the engine is clean?
- could the carny be leaking petrol without showing any signs? Eg fumes

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Dave

[Clunk]

From what little I know, you shouldn't really get any smell coming through the vents, whether they are on recirculate or not. If its definitely a petrol smell, could be a loose spark plug, or fuel line.



Is there such a thing as RTI..... Repetitive Tapping Injury?????

[Bloodyaussie]

The problem is more than likely in the engine bay and the smell makes it's way in.... check all your fuel lines including under your car and around the fuel tank, do this both while the car is not running and then again when it is running as it might be more noticeable when under pressure??

Took me months to figure out where a gas smell was coming from and I even had others drive my car to see if they could smell it but it seemed I was going mad, in the end it was coming from the converter and I was right!!!!!!

[Ducer]

Thanks heaps for your reply and suggestions.

@clunk - just had all leads and plugs changed and it hasn't made a difference as yet. Kind of hard to tell what the exact smell is. It is like a combo of fuel, burnt oil mixed together.

@B.A - nice detective work :) hmmm... mine doesn't smell like gas as yours did but that wouldn't be out of the question either at this stage. So far the only other person that has picked it up has been my old man. My mechanic said it was useless speaking to him about it because he smells like everyday :P everyone else I have asked cant pick it up like in your situation too. It's been driving me nuts as well.

The gas being lean/rich has been a problem since the beginning and especially now with the snorkel. I've got it booked in a few weeks for a new convertor and mixer but I made a few executive decisions last night ...


- Instead of a new mixer & convertor, I am going to spend the money on a replacement petrol tank instead. This would obviously get rid of the problem if its gas.
- I am also going to get the under body and engine steam cleaned to see if its simply built up old oil/fuel leaks, from when i bought the car, smelling rotten and coming through
- after it is clean and as you have both mentioned and if it persists, check all fuel lines for leaks plus breather pipes as well whilst car is off and running
- I guess check the carby while I am at it.


When I first took it to the mechanics, he said the carby was in good order... Should I get a second opinion? Is there any carby specialists that anyone can recommend?

Hopefully these steps fix the issue.

It's funny, I can deal with knocking and clunking (pardon the pun clunk) but the smell is nauseating at times and not pleasant.


Cheers, Dave

[NP99]

What about a leaking rocker cover. That fixed my oil smell problem!



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[threedogs]

Beat me to it Roofy, leaking rocker cover,oil leaks down the back .
Steam clean engine completely, repair any gaskets, Does it have an ARB
air locker fitted ????

[Ducer]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses.

My mech has had a look at it and says its fine. Having said that, before he inspected, tightened and cleaned it there was heaps of oil leaking down the back and onto the housing.

I've just dropped it off for a full steam clean so well see how we go after that. Hopefully it starts again :0 keep you posted

[Ducer]

Sorry threedogs just saw the arb air lockers part... no, no arb air locker on it.

Update- Got it back tonight from steam cleaning and underneath and engine are spotless. Engine bay smells simply like that sweet old engine smell now which is much better than what it did.

Had the vents cranking with external air from boronia to home (about 25ks) and not a hint of a petrol/oil smell. Hopefully and fingers crossed this will be the end of it.

If not, I will go into.... Dah dah daaaaah STAGE 3! Hoses, clamps blah blah

[Robo]

The gear stick area also if the boots are cracked, smell can enter here to.
If the carby was leaking you should see the varnish residue petrol leaves behind.
difficult to tune with a leaky carby?, fuel consumption should be a problem ?.
My moneys on rocker cover with 3dogs.

[Ducer]

Thanks Robo, smell is definitely entering through the venting system. Didnt know about the varnish residue, will have a look and nup, mech said easy peasy to tune and it guzzles fuel at the best of times. Id be more worried if it didnt ;)

I see a spot for a bookie here somewhere. 3 say rocker cover, im going with oil/crap build up heating up... TBC!

[Robo]

Thanks Robo, smell is definitely entering through the venting system. Didnt know about the varnish residue, will have a look and nup, mech said easy peasy to tune and it guzzles fuel at the best of times. Id be more worried if it didnt ;)

I see a spot for a bookie here somewhere. 3 say rocker cover, im going with oil/crap build up heating up... TBC!

No wuckin furryies.
just some info, some where, thing, to look at.
all good.

[taslucas]

I see a spot for a bookie here somewhere. 3 say rocker cover, im going with oil/crap build up heating up... TBC!

Mines got a leaky rocker cover and I'm getting a burnt oil smell in the cab. Should be easy to visually check if your rocker cover is leaking.

FanTapstic!

[Ducer]

Thx Lucas. Was leaking a bit up until a few weeks ago when it was all checked and tightened. Will have another look again after this weekend. Just had it steam cleaned so it should be fairly easy to spot.

True that the it comes loose fairly easy?

[taslucas]

Not sure how easy it comes loose. Mine has stayed tight since I tightened it a few weeks ago. I have degreased the area but there's still oil in behind the engine that I can clean out very well. I reckon that's where the smell is coming from. Heres a good test: when I degreased it, for a few days I could smell degreaser as well as oil fume so I reckon it's safe to say that's where the smell is coming from in my patrol.

FanTapstic!

[Ducer]

Yeah right. Interesting. I havnt driven it since I had it steam cleaned but tomorrow I am taking it for a 120km drive so it will be interesting to see if the smell comes back or if any leaks appear. Ill keep you posted. I might tighten up the rocker cover before I leave. See if there's anything in it.

Does your rocker cover gasket need replacing?

[GQ TANK]

Burnt oil smell is as per above - oil leaking from the rocker cover or else where an landing on the exhaust

[Ducer]

Took it for a drive on sat and today and so far no smells and no leaks. Fingers crossed that's sorted and it doesn't appear again. I will keep checking for leaks though

Thanks again to all that have helped :trink13:

Cheers, Dave