Oil smell when stopped or stopping

nancygrl · 02-27-2017, 12:44 PM

Something that has just happened within the last week, car is almost 1yr. old and about 12k miles. When coming to a stop after driving for while, I'm getting an oil smell inside the cabin, very faint. I've searched the forum and a thread comes up but that's after folks have installed a catch can. My 2SS is bone stock, A8, NPP, no mods whatsoever. To try and figure out where it might be coming from; after I get home I pop the hood and sniff around and it seems to be noticeable on the passenger side of the engine, but there is no oil on the garage floor or anywhere on the engine or oil pan, and no visible leaks anywhere. I've checked the outside of the dipstick tube and it is clean from top to bottom. Wondering if anyone else has had this happen or if any other ideas where to look?? Strange that doesn't smell while driving but only after coming to a stop.

Glen e · 02-27-2017, 12:45 PM

Did you just change your oil?

nancygrl · 02-27-2017, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen e

Did you just change your oil?

Not really, that was 2 months and 2k miles ago, and this just popped up a week ago when I was driving to Raleigh and hit some stop-go traffic. We'll put it up on the ramps again and give another look around underneath. One of the things I miss from my 5th gen is the ample room in the engine bay to see and get to most everything.

Eric SS · 02-27-2017, 01:45 PM

I get this sometimes. My car is bone stock as well. Same as you. faint but noticable on and off when I am coming to a stop or stopped. My oil level has already been good and when I was under the car looking when I put on my track day items I didn't see any signs of dripping oil. I'm a bit stumped but not worried. Figured it was something to do with the LT1 and how they get oil back to the crankcase or something.

nancygrl · 02-27-2017, 02:18 PM

Stumped but not worried is definitely the right phrase for it, oil level is spot on and getting super gas mileage. Guess I'll just keep an eye on everything and unless a visible leak presents itself I won't worry too much about it. It reminds me of my '96 Trans-Am where those LT motors developed a tiny oil leak at the back of the intake manifold; except that was visible just nearly impossible to get to how those engines were shoe-horned into the engine bay.

Eric SS · 02-27-2017, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancygrl

Stumped but not worried is definitely the right phrase for it, oil level is spot on and getting super gas mileage. Guess I'll just keep an eye on everything unless something presents itself. It reminds me of my '96 Trans-Am where those LT motors developed a tiny oil leak at the back of the intake manifold; except that was visible just nearly impossible to get to how those engines were shoe-horned into the engine bay.

Yeah I'm very familiar with those old LT1 rear main seal and intake manifold leaks.

I forgot to mention that I've had my oil changed twice and it has shown up on and off and it doesn't seem to matter if the oil was just changed or not.

jreagle56 · 02-27-2017, 03:56 PM

Wondering if are all the hoses and hose connections are good on the factory clean side oil separator? The black box located on the passengers side of the engine.

Just for giggles, is the PCV connection tube connected properly and the dipstick seal good as well?

G-10 · 02-27-2017, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancygrl

Something that has just happened within the last week, car is almost 1yr. old and about 12k miles. When coming to a stop after driving for while, I'm getting an oil smell inside the cabin, very faint. I've searched the forum and a thread comes up but that's after folks have installed a catch can. My 2SS is bone stock, A8, NPP, no mods whatsoever. To try and figure out where it might be coming from; after I get home I pop the hood and sniff around and it seems to be noticeable on the passenger side of the engine, but there is no oil on the garage floor or anywhere on the engine or oil pan, and no visible leaks anywhere. I've checked the outside of the dipstick tube and it is clean from top to bottom. Wondering if anyone else has had this happen or if any other ideas where to look?? Strange that doesn't smell while driving but only after coming to a stop.

I have same car: 2SS, A8, NPP. I received a recall letter from GM re transmission oil cooling lines coming in contact and possibly leaking. Have you brought your's in for this. Tranny oil leaking on hot surface could cause that smell.

nancygrl · 02-28-2017, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jreagle56

Wondering if are all the hoses and hose connections are good on the factory clean side oil separator? The black box located on the passengers side of the engine.

Just for giggles, is the PCV connection tube connected properly and the dipstick seal good as well?

As far as I can tell...I took all them off and reseated them and they're on their connections properly. What I may do just for piece of mind is get 2 new dipstick o-rings and change them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-10

I have same car: 2SS, A8, NPP. I received a recall letter from GM re transmission oil cooling lines coming in contact and possibly leaking. Have you brought your's in for this. Tranny oil leaking on hot surface could cause that smell.

Yeppers...I had the recall done Jan. 3rd.

Max RS · 03-01-2017, 05:12 AM

I have that same faint oil smell. I have noticed it several times since purchasing my 2SS when slowing or stopping. I'm at 3300 miles and cannot find any oil leaks. I have not done anything to my engine or drivetrain. I did change my oil at 1500 miles but had the smell prior to the change and a few times since the change.

Eric SS · 03-01-2017, 08:04 AM

Well, if any of you decide to take it in let us know what it ended up being. Like mentioned above I have the exact same issue.

nancygrl · 03-01-2017, 09:24 AM

I'm going to put it back on the ramps tonight and try and get a better look underneath again...if not I'll bring it in next Friday when I'm off.

Whitemaro6 · 03-03-2017, 01:27 PM

Glad i'm not the only one who notices this. I have the opposite tho I get a faint oil smell when hard accelerating. Been doing it since I got the car and oil pressure and level stays consistent so I figure its normal. I was wondering about it but this puts me at ease.

SaphfireSS · 03-07-2017, 01:00 PM

Have the same smell since new. I have 7200 miles now and haven't smelled lately but I'm sure it will be back. All is normal as far as no leaks no oil quantity loss etc...

02-27-2017, 12:44 PM	#1
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Oil smell when stopped or stopping Something that has just happened within the last week, car is almost 1yr. old and about 12k miles. When coming to a stop after driving for while, I'm getting an oil smell inside the cabin, very faint. I've searched the forum and a thread comes up but that's after folks have installed a catch can. My 2SS is bone stock, A8, NPP, no mods whatsoever. To try and figure out where it might be coming from; after I get home I pop the hood and sniff around and it seems to be noticeable on the passenger side of the engine, but there is no oil on the garage floor or anywhere on the engine or oil pan, and no visible leaks anywhere. I've checked the outside of the dipstick tube and it is clean from top to bottom. Wondering if anyone else has had this happen or if any other ideas where to look?? Strange that doesn't smell while driving but only after coming to a stop. Last edited by nancygrl; 02-27-2017 at 01:31 PM.

02-27-2017, 12:45 PM	#2
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Did you just change your oil? __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

03-01-2017, 05:12 AM	#10
Max RS Drives: 2016 SS AT Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: SE Georgia Posts: 81	I have that same faint oil smell. I have noticed it several times since purchasing my 2SS when slowing or stopping. I'm at 3300 miles and cannot find any oil leaks. I have not done anything to my engine or drivetrain. I did change my oil at 1500 miles but had the smell prior to the change and a few times since the change. __________________ 1969 Z-28, 302 4-Speed Sold 1989 350 AT Sold 2013 RS Convertible LFX AT Traded 2016 2SS AT

02-27-2017, 01:45 PM	#4
Eric SS #becauseracecar Drives: 2016 SS Sedan, 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2015 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,959	I get this sometimes. My car is bone stock as well. Same as you. faint but noticable on and off when I am coming to a stop or stopped. My oil level has already been good and when I was under the car looking when I put on my track day items I didn't see any signs of dripping oil. I'm a bit stumped but not worried. Figured it was something to do with the LT1 and how they get oil back to the crankcase or something.

02-27-2017, 02:18 PM	#5
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Stumped but not worried is definitely the right phrase for it, oil level is spot on and getting super gas mileage. Guess I'll just keep an eye on everything and unless a visible leak presents itself I won't worry too much about it. It reminds me of my '96 Trans-Am where those LT motors developed a tiny oil leak at the back of the intake manifold; except that was visible just nearly impossible to get to how those engines were shoe-horned into the engine bay.

02-27-2017, 03:56 PM	#7
jreagle56 Drives: 2022 2SS A10 NPP MRC Red Hot Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: CT Posts: 128	Wondering if are all the hoses and hose connections are good on the factory clean side oil separator? The black box located on the passengers side of the engine. Just for giggles, is the PCV connection tube connected properly and the dipstick seal good as well?

03-01-2017, 08:04 AM	#11
Eric SS #becauseracecar Drives: 2016 SS Sedan, 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2015 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,959	Well, if any of you decide to take it in let us know what it ended up being. Like mentioned above I have the exact same issue.

03-01-2017, 09:24 AM	#12
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	I'm going to put it back on the ramps tonight and try and get a better look underneath again...if not I'll bring it in next Friday when I'm off.

03-03-2017, 01:27 PM	#13
Whitemaro6 Drives: 16 Summit white, Ceramic white 2SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Places Posts: 419	Glad i'm not the only one who notices this. I have the opposite tho I get a faint oil smell when hard accelerating. Been doing it since I got the car and oil pressure and level stays consistent so I figure its normal. I was wondering about it but this puts me at ease.

03-07-2017, 01:00 PM	#14
SaphfireSS Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE SS Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: In my driveway or on the track. Lol Posts: 257	Have the same smell since new. I have 7200 miles now and haven't smelled lately but I'm sure it will be back. All is normal as far as no leaks no oil quantity loss etc...

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