Quote:
Originally Posted by AlmightyCamry777
Has this happened to anybody else?
My 2002 V6 often has the smell of burning oil in the passenger compartment. Its light and there is no smoke, and the engine doesn't even use any oil between changes. But its a PITA and embarassing when i have other people in the car.
I have washed the engine off and even changed the PCV valve (the one at passenger side rear of the engine) i cannot figure out where the smell is coming from! Obviously oil must be dripping onto the right-side exhaust manifold somehow but when i open the hood usually you cannot smell it there, only inside the cab!
Does anyone have any ideas?
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It could be a lot of things, but I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that it is the rear valve cover gasket leaking. The oil leaks out when you shut off the motor, and drips down the back side of the engine, and then on to the exhaust pipe. It usually happens when you first start up the car in the morning. You drive for maybe 2 or 3 miles and if you come to a stop sign you will smell burnt oil, and maybe see some smoke coming from the hood. It's annoying for sure. The real annoying part is that the evidence is destroyed when the exhaust pipe gets hot enough to burn off the oil. It's looks like everything is OK, until the next day when you start it up and the cycle repeats itself.
It's easy to check. Just reach behind the motor between the firewall and the engine. Take a clean rag and rub it against the head. I'm betting it comes out with oil in it.
It's because of the way Toyota designed the bolts that hold the valve cover down. It's guaranteed to leak. Get ready for a lot of work to change out the valve cover gaskets. They only cost $20.00 or so, but the dealer will probably charge you $350.00 to change them out. You can do it yourself with just regular tools, but it requires an afternoon to get it done.
There are many threads here on TN on how to do it.
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It worked fine until I fixed it! 
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