Smell from under the hood

[bdy0003]

About a year ago, I pushed my car up hills (RPM to 3-4K) and this bad smell came from the hood, when I usually drive at around 2.5K going on the freeway. Now, it smells again but not as much, maybe a burnt oil smell, but occurs during normal driving. I smell it when I am at a stop when the outside air comes inside.

Just to let you know, my engine bay is pretty dirty, I don't think its been cleaned, but it never really had "an in between" smell. I was thinking of seafoaming it as it says in the DIY (idles at around 1.25K), but I am nervous about my car breaking down AND also, it might remove some sludge that maybe covering cracks, cracks that might allow oil leaks. I dont know if there are leaks. The gen 3 2.2L I4 has 158K miles.

I hope this covers everything and I hope someone can help.

[hill8570]

If you've got a ton of crud on the outside of the engine, then it's going to be hard to find any small leaks -- it's always easier to take a can or two (or three) of engine cleaner (Engine Brite, etc.) and clean off the crud. Crud on the outside isn't stopping any leaks, so you don't have to worry about that.

Assuming for the moment it's an oil leak, you might to check under the car and see if there are any obvious drips on the exhaust system directly under the engine -- that will stink up things pretty quick. Same for in the front of the motor -- if there are leaks coming from under the oil cooler, they can eventually get to the exhaust manifold. With 158K miles, you've probably got multiple leaks, so it's a matter of what you want to fix.

[bdy0003]

Specifically on the engine cover, theres not that much crud. I looked at the left of my oil filter and that part looked like it had some nasty buildup of something not quite sure what it is. Its also kinda wet too, so I'm thinking maybe oil from my filter. I might need to replace something there? But I checked my oil levels and they havent dropped too significantly last i checked...which was 4 weeks ago. Just to be sure, I added some more in there.

[500KCamry]

Originally Posted by bdy0003

Specifically on the engine cover, theres not that much crud. I looked at the left of my oil filter and that part looked like it had some nasty buildup of something not quite sure what it is. Its also kinda wet too, so I'm thinking maybe oil from my filter. I might need to replace something there? But I checked my oil levels and they havent dropped too significantly last i checked...which was 4 weeks ago. Just to be sure, I added some more in there.

"hill8570" was refering to the oil cooler whick is the circular part that your oil filter is screwed into. It can leak between itself and the engine block which might be what you are seeing. Search this forum, there's a DIY repair process for it.

[bdy0003]

Thanks. But just out of curiosity from the repair manual, why do I have to remove the engine coolant to replace the gasket and the O-ring?

[cykaaro]

Not sure, but on the V6 it was just removing the oil filter assembly and putting in a new o-ring. The smell is created from the oil dripping on the down pipe. Had the same problem.

Only way I can see the coolant needing to be taken out is if it is routed through the assembly. Not as familiar with the I4 so not sure but don't know why they'd do it on the 4 and not the 6. The 6 assembly simply bolts to the block with three bolts, and the filter goes on to that.

Another leak point you may want to change is the o-ring for the distributor. With one seal going, they may all be needing replacing in the near future. Just one less to worry about.

Would also second degreasing the engine as well.

cheers

Actually saw this thread. Check it out and it may explain more as I think it's the I4 engine.
My oil leak

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by bdy0003

Thanks. But just out of curiosity from the repair manual, why do I have to remove the engine coolant to replace the gasket and the O-ring?

There are two lines that circulate coolant through the oil cooler (the two rubber lines coming in on the right-hand side of the cooler). I'd hate to try to pull the oil cooler with those lines attached -- they're jammed right behind the exhaust manifold. Pulling those lines without first draining the coolant down a bit would be more than a little messy.