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I sense a burning smell when getting out of the car (Nissan Maxima 02 V6). I am pretty sure it is an oil leak from somewhere based on the odor, but not sure where else to look for.

The smell was pretty heavy about a month ago and I noticed that the valve covers were wet outside and oil would drip on top of the heat shields of the exhaust manifolds (both front and rear). So this is what I did:

  • Changed both valve cover gaskets (lots of gasket maker on the curved edges).
  • Cleaned the outside of the valves as well as I could.
  • Cleaned the heat shields of the two exhaust manifolds (For the rear one I could only get my hand so far down there).
  • Changed the 3 gaskets that come with the intake manifold plentum kit.
  • Cleaned the space in between the intake manifold since there were debri, dust, oil etc...

After doing all the above I have to say that the burn smell SIGNIFICANTLY dropped, now I only sense it when getting out of the car but before I could sense it as soon as I turn the car on or off and at times even while driving when putting the heat on, I thought I was going to intoxicate myself.

However, there is still smell when getting out of the car, even though is not as strong, I do not like it. It seems like there is still a leak somewhere and I do not know where. I went over everything I did (visual and feel inspection) and there is no more oil leaking from the valve covers, the exhaust shields are dry. It has to be a mild leak because I do not see oil staints in the ground and the car does not complain about being low on oil.

Where could this be coming from? any ideas?

Suggestion: Also somebody with enough rights could create the following tags: valve cover, manifold, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, heat shield

Thanks. Viriato

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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Viriato
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1 Answers1

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Try checking around every pipe, that you can visually see. Best route would be to get it up on a ramp and have a look underneath, have a look at the oil sump maybe there's a leak there. If you know someone with a ramp it would make it easier to look underneath the car though. Try going around to where the smell is coming from, see if there is maybe any burning pipe/rubber. Check your oil level every few days and see if it is going down.

user1860175
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