Faint smell of gas in oil

[robob2]

I have a 2007 V6 Camry LE with about 8000 miles on it. At 5000 miles I changed the oil using Mobil 1 5w-20w and a Toyota filter. I did not notice any unusual gas smell during the oil change, but it was cold at the time and that would affect my ability to detect odor.

When checking the oil the other day, I noticed a faint gasoline smell and took a closer sniff of the dip stick (I know, it sounds odd...). I detected a gasoline odor from the dip stick. It's faint, but there.

What does this sound like? Is it possible such a new vechicle has gas in the oil? Or, is it just the smell of Mobil 1?

thanks!

[toyomoho]

Compare the smell of the oil from the container with the dipstick. If really gas take the car to the dealer, gas in the oil is not good.

[workerant]

I did my last oil change.. all I smell was myself cause I was sweating. It was a hot day. LOL

[west467]

Have you noticed a decrease in gas mileage?
It is not uncommon to smell gas in the oil, it does not sound odd to me.

[gdanaher]

Part of the issue here is that you have an 07 with 8k miles. Unless you bought it at the end of the year, it doesn't get a lot of drive time, so it isn't getting hot and the oil isn't cooking off moisture and residual gas. Just as some oil is going to squeeze past the rings and get to the combustion chamber, a little gas is going to get past the rings and get to the oil sump. Likely not a huge deal here, but you it wouldn't hurt to put it on the road and heat it up good and/or change the oil more frequently.

[robob2]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Compare the smell of the oil from the container with the dipstick. If really gas take the car to the dealer, gas in the oil is not good.

The oil in the container does not smell the same as the oil on the dipstick. The oil on the dipstick smells a bit like gas.

[robob2]

Originally Posted by west467

Have you noticed a decrease in gas mileage?
It is not uncommon to smell gas in the oil, it does not sound odd to me.

I have not really noticed a decrease in mileage, I get about 24 - 25 MPG with split higway/city driving. Not as good as some I've read here, but sounds within reason.

[robob2]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

Part of the issue here is that you have an 07 with 8k miles. Unless you bought it at the end of the year, it doesn't get a lot of drive time, so it isn't getting hot and the oil isn't cooking off moisture and residual gas. Just as some oil is going to squeeze past the rings and get to the combustion chamber, a little gas is going to get past the rings and get to the oil sump. Likely not a huge deal here, but you it wouldn't hurt to put it on the road and heat it up good and/or change the oil more frequently.

The car was purchased at the end of the 07 model year and had a build date of 07/07. I did not get it until early August. I do only put on about 10k or so per year.

I did just take a small trip, about 300 miles of highway driving and there is stil a faint smell of gas to the oil. Perhaps it is normal.

[workerant]

I put in 22K miles per year. The oil I put in say I can go 15K miles before change. LOL It gonna be awhile before I change.

[Hajoca]

Normal to smell slight odour of gas.

You are smelling some unburnt, and some dissolved combustion byproducts (exhaust) as well

[TRD VVTi]

Normal.

If there was problem with the vehicle running rich, the MIL would be on.

[robob2]

Thanks to all for their input. Sounds like it's nothing to be concerned about.

[Tobeit]

Originally Posted by robob2

I did just take a small trip, about 300 miles of highway driving and there is stil a faint smell of gas to the oil. Perhaps it is normal.

Just curious: What makes you sniffing on your oil dip stick in the first place and now regularly? I honestly never had that idea or desire .

[robob2]

Originally Posted by Tobeit

Just curious: What makes you sniffing on your oil dip stick in the first place and now regularly? I honestly never had that idea or desire .

Yes, it does seem like a strange new habit. I was checking the oil prior to my trip and I could smell gas when I pulled the dip stick out and looked at it. It was very faint so I took a sniff of the dip stick and that was the source.

[Tobeit]

I am glad my ability to smell faint smells is not as developed as yours ....I would be afraid what else I would smell and bother me wherever I go.

...and, please, keep your nose of the dip stick from now on, would you ...its all good.