Please Help. Car smells like hot oil.

BrandanK · 02-22-2021, 07:07 AM

Hello all.
I purchased a 2020 LT1 this summer. Very happy with the car. No issues until last week.

I noticed that once the engine and oil get up to temp, I can smell a hot oil smell inside the car at stoplights. It doesn't smell like burning oil, just hot oil.

I have popped the hood and looked to see if there are any leaks, and I can't find anything. I checked the filler neck, drain plug, oil filter; nothing, not a drop. I even disconnected the breather tubes and checked the PCV system; dry as a bone. I also took the engine covers off and looked under each.

I started to think the oil was too full, so I let the motor cool and drained about 1/2 a quart yesterday. I checked the oil this morning and it was about 1/2 a quart low, so I added it back before leaving for work today.

Has anyone heard of this happening? I have laid in the engine bay to see if I can track down the smell with my nose, and the only place I smell hot oil is directly over the intake manifold cover. I have sniffed everywhere and cannot pin point this.

The car is obviously still under full warranty, but I feel like this is going to be a complete pain in the butt for the dealership to figure out.

Thanks in advance,
Brandan

WhiteMale · 02-22-2021, 07:22 AM

Can't help ya with this one...My previous 15 Mustang would smell hot at odd times and I could never pin it down, no leaks or smoke lol

CHASLT1 · 02-22-2021, 08:01 AM

Never get that with my LT1. If you don't see drips or runs of oil then i don't know what it could be.

LT4Greg · 02-22-2021, 08:10 AM

Since the car still has warranty I would take it in to the dealership and let them check it so you will have documentation of the issue if something major develops.

Mark114 · 02-22-2021, 08:12 AM

Maybe something you drove through is on the exhaust? Try a touchless car wash with a bottom wash to see if that helps.

sengli · 02-22-2021, 08:24 AM

My previous two new camaros did the same thing, only right after a fresh oil change. Not sure why. It did go away after short time. Speculation online here was that some drops oil might have have dripped on the engine during the refill. Since I did the changes myself maybe, but highly unlikely. So in the end I wasnt sure why mine smelled like hot oil either???

Aragorn · 02-22-2021, 08:47 AM

Mine does that after every oil change until it eventually it burns off. My suspicion is that it is the area around the oil filter but not 100% sure. It’s a bit of a mystery though.

vtirocz · 02-22-2021, 09:06 AM

I've not experienced this on my 2017 Camaro SS, so it's probably not normal.

nancygrl · 02-22-2021, 09:10 AM

On the passenger side of the oil pan there's a sensor that goes into the side of it sealed with o-ring. My 2016 had very slight seepage that came from that sensor and the exhaust runs right by there. I had this same issue with my 2016 2SS. It's very difficult to spot right after an oil change because it's fresh and clean. It took quite a while to find the source of my oil smell when stopping.

BrandanK · 02-22-2021, 10:09 AM

Wow thanks guys/gals. I wasn't expecting to get replies this quick.

Thank you Aragorn and sengli. I had an oil change about 500 miles ago. That is also about the same time that I noticed the smell. I will say that this is the second time I have changed the oil; both times myself, in my garage. 10qts of Mobil 1 and a PF64 filter.

I initially thought that I spilled something when I filled the motor, however when I pulled the engine cover and valve cover "shields", I noticed that everything is "matte aluminum" just as it was from the factory. I checked the oil filter area too, matte finish and dry as a bone.

Nancygrl, I'll check around underneath in that area also.

LT4Greg; Unfortunely, if I cant find anything this week, the car will need to go to the dealer and see what they think.

Thanks for the input so far.

BK

MATEOLT1SS · 02-22-2021, 10:57 AM

I had the same issue with my SS and it ended up being a pinion seal leak but no fluid ever hit the ground. Check everything!

Clearly_Canadian · 02-22-2021, 12:13 PM

Weird this should come up. I just got my car back from the shop last week and the first thing I noticed was the oil smell. They installed a new shifter so a lot under the car was removed. But it doesn't want a hot oil smell. Took it to the car wash and even did a complete walk around sniffing away while in the line for the wash. Couldn't find anything amiss. No leak either. I too am stumped. I haven't driven her since after the wash and I don't drive her daily. But it is something I am now tuned into.

Sub'd

jb_camaro_2ss · 02-22-2021, 07:39 PM

A little spilled oil after an oil change will cause that smell, especially if it gets on the exhaust. You may have spilled a few drops even though you could not locate it. It almost always happens when I change my oil on my cars, no matter how careful I am. If that is your issue, the smell should go away after a few drives as the oil burns off. Otherwise, it's a trip to the dealer under warranty.

STYLO LT1 · 02-22-2021, 10:40 PM

Same here. Hot oil smell that doesn’t exactly smell like burned oil. Very noticeable when at a stoplight and it’s been doing it for a while now. Car has 4K miles on the clock. I can’t for the love of God figure out its origin as I’ve checked everywhere I can think of. I’m waiting til’ early spring to take it in to the stealership. Let us know what they find on your Camaro if anything.

02-22-2021, 07:07 AM	#1
BrandanK Drives: 2021 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 255 View My Garage	Please Help. Car smells like hot oil. Hello all. I purchased a 2020 LT1 this summer. Very happy with the car. No issues until last week. I noticed that once the engine and oil get up to temp, I can smell a hot oil smell inside the car at stoplights. It doesn't smell like burning oil, just hot oil. I have popped the hood and looked to see if there are any leaks, and I can't find anything. I checked the filler neck, drain plug, oil filter; nothing, not a drop. I even disconnected the breather tubes and checked the PCV system; dry as a bone. I also took the engine covers off and looked under each. I started to think the oil was too full, so I let the motor cool and drained about 1/2 a quart yesterday. I checked the oil this morning and it was about 1/2 a quart low, so I added it back before leaving for work today. Has anyone heard of this happening? I have laid in the engine bay to see if I can track down the smell with my nose, and the only place I smell hot oil is directly over the intake manifold cover. I have sniffed everywhere and cannot pin point this. The car is obviously still under full warranty, but I feel like this is going to be a complete pain in the butt for the dealership to figure out. Thanks in advance, Brandan

02-22-2021, 08:10 AM	#4
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	Since the car still has warranty I would take it in to the dealership and let them check it so you will have documentation of the issue if something major develops. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

02-22-2021, 08:24 AM	#6
sengli Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: northern Indiana Posts: 948	My previous two new camaros did the same thing, only right after a fresh oil change. Not sure why. It did go away after short time. Speculation online here was that some drops oil might have have dripped on the engine during the refill. Since I did the changes myself maybe, but highly unlikely. So in the end I wasnt sure why mine smelled like hot oil either??? __________________ 2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold 2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss

02-22-2021, 09:06 AM	#8
vtirocz Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Indy Posts: 2,460	I've not experienced this on my 2017 Camaro SS, so it's probably not normal. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels Best 1/4 Mile: 12.24 @ 115.9 mph

02-22-2021, 12:13 PM	#12
Clearly_Canadian Drives: 2017 2SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: British Columbia Posts: 366	Weird this should come up. I just got my car back from the shop last week and the first thing I noticed was the oil smell. They installed a new shifter so a lot under the car was removed. But it doesn't want a hot oil smell. Took it to the car wash and even did a complete walk around sniffing away while in the line for the wash. Couldn't find anything amiss. No leak either. I too am stumped. I haven't driven her since after the wash and I don't drive her daily. But it is something I am now tuned into. Sub'd __________________ 2017 Camaro 2SS, K&N Air, Borla S-Type, Cat Delete, 1LE replicas, Hotchkis Swaybars, Eibach Springs. ALL BMR arms, end links, chassis braces and cradle lockout. Hurst shifter.

02-22-2021, 07:22 AM	#2
WhiteMale Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: MO Posts: 1,982	Can't help ya with this one...My previous 15 Mustang would smell hot at odd times and I could never pin it down, no leaks or smoke lol

02-22-2021, 08:01 AM	#3
CHASLT1 Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tampa FL area Posts: 794	Never get that with my LT1. If you don't see drips or runs of oil then i don't know what it could be.

02-22-2021, 08:12 AM	#5
Mark114 Drives: 2016 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,710 View My Garage	Maybe something you drove through is on the exhaust? Try a touchless car wash with a bottom wash to see if that helps.

02-22-2021, 08:47 AM	#7
Aragorn Account Suspended Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,538	Mine does that after every oil change until it eventually it burns off. My suspicion is that it is the area around the oil filter but not 100% sure. It’s a bit of a mystery though.

02-22-2021, 09:10 AM	#9
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	On the passenger side of the oil pan there's a sensor that goes into the side of it sealed with o-ring. My 2016 had very slight seepage that came from that sensor and the exhaust runs right by there. I had this same issue with my 2016 2SS. It's very difficult to spot right after an oil change because it's fresh and clean. It took quite a while to find the source of my oil smell when stopping.

02-22-2021, 10:09 AM	#10
BrandanK Drives: 2021 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 255 View My Garage	Wow thanks guys/gals. I wasn't expecting to get replies this quick. Thank you Aragorn and sengli. I had an oil change about 500 miles ago. That is also about the same time that I noticed the smell. I will say that this is the second time I have changed the oil; both times myself, in my garage. 10qts of Mobil 1 and a PF64 filter. I initially thought that I spilled something when I filled the motor, however when I pulled the engine cover and valve cover "shields", I noticed that everything is "matte aluminum" just as it was from the factory. I checked the oil filter area too, matte finish and dry as a bone. Nancygrl, I'll check around underneath in that area also. LT4Greg; Unfortunely, if I cant find anything this week, the car will need to go to the dealer and see what they think. Thanks for the input so far. BK

02-22-2021, 10:57 AM	#11
MATEOLT1SS Drives: 2019 Camaro 2SS 10-speed Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: SACRAMENTO Posts: 135	I had the same issue with my SS and it ended up being a pinion seal leak but no fluid ever hit the ground. Check everything!

02-22-2021, 07:39 PM	#13
jb_camaro_2ss Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Arctic Blue Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Atlanta Posts: 64	A little spilled oil after an oil change will cause that smell, especially if it gets on the exhaust. You may have spilled a few drops even though you could not locate it. It almost always happens when I change my oil on my cars, no matter how careful I am. If that is your issue, the smell should go away after a few drives as the oil burns off. Otherwise, it's a trip to the dealer under warranty. __________________ Mod list: - AWE Touring Catback - BMR Springs - GM Dark Finish Taillights

02-22-2021, 10:40 PM	#14
STYLO LT1 Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Vert. Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Garden State Posts: 537	Same here. Hot oil smell that doesn’t exactly smell like burned oil. Very noticeable when at a stoplight and it’s been doing it for a while now. Car has 4K miles on the clock. I can’t for the love of God figure out its origin as I’ve checked everywhere I can think of. I’m waiting til’ early spring to take it in to the stealership. Let us know what they find on your Camaro if anything.

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