Oil smell while driving at low speeds - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

shibbs · 06-16-2015, 02:59 PM

So I know there was a thread on this, but as far as I saw, it never came to a conclusion unless I missed something.

Anyone happen to figure out what causes this? I've smelled it on ZL1s and SSs alike.

nosmr2 · 06-16-2015, 09:20 PM

I don't recall the thread on this. But when I got mine it had 11,000 miles on it and had a slight burning oil smell when stopped. I assumed it was spilt oil from a previous oil change. A couple hundred miles later and no smell. If it had not gone away I was going to look into it.

2010SLVRBULIT · 06-16-2015, 09:58 PM

wasn't there a rear seal on the engine that tended to leak?

shibbs · 06-16-2015, 10:36 PM

After a quick look using google, not the forum, it seems there's a possibility for the rear main to leak, but more common is an "oil porosity" issue on the back of the block. The headers, exhaust, oil pan, and transmission have to come out.
Good news is if this is the issue, it should be covered under my 5/100 powertrain warranty.

LTRS777 · 06-17-2015, 05:30 AM

Covered under warranty with LTs, CAI, and tuned?

shibbs · 06-17-2015, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTRS777

Covered under warranty with LTs, CAI, and tuned?

None of those have altered the material that GM cast the block with, so yeah.

nyrfan · 06-17-2015, 04:07 PM

It's really never been resolved. There are many ideas but no 100% fix.

shibbs · 06-17-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyrfan

It's really never been resolved. There are many ideas but no 100% fix.

If that's the case, I might have an excuse to have the block cleaned and painted.

MPrento84 · 08-17-2015, 09:57 PM

Do you have a catch can?

Installed one on my SS and I don't notice the smell anymore. Only makes sense if you're burning an oz of oil every 1000 miles. I used to only smell it when I came to a stop. I bought the car used and only put about 500 miles on before I ordered one.

gorysaye · 08-18-2015, 02:01 AM

A couple hundred miles later and no smell. If it had not gone away I was going to look into it.

nyrfan · 08-18-2015, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPrento84

Do you have a catch can?

Installed one on my SS and I don't notice the smell anymore. Only makes sense if you're burning an oz of oil every 1000 miles. I used to only smell it when I came to a stop. I bought the car used and only put about 500 miles on before I ordered one.

Catch can will not solve the problem.

Felix - Speeding in my SS!

shibbs · 08-18-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPrento84

Do you have a catch can?

Installed one on my SS and I don't notice the smell anymore. Only makes sense if you're burning an oz of oil every 1000 miles. I used to only smell it when I came to a stop. I bought the car used and only put about 500 miles on before I ordered one.

Yes, I do have a catch can. Still get the smell sometimes.

FASTDIESEL · 08-18-2015, 05:56 PM

The issue may be the oil its self (or the additive package in the oil). Some oil additives smell bad for a few hundred miles. The smell gets weaker as you drive. Oil change time, you will smell it again.

Oil brand is the key to how much it smells. Hear it all the time in the Diesel world (more additives), not so much with gas burners.

So, put your thinking cap on. Did you the smell the "oil leak" right after an oil change, and now it's better a few hundred miles later?

christianchevell · 08-18-2015, 06:18 PM

also are you driving over fresher pavement? and could some of it be from wind blowing exhaust... do not just assume you are leaking without looking.

06-17-2015, 05:30 AM	#5
LTRS777 Drives: 2014 Saleen 620 White Label #14-011 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: AL Posts: 610	Covered under warranty with LTs, CAI, and tuned? __________________ '14 Saleen 620 White Label #14-011 ADM LSA Stage 1 Kit, ADM 2.75 Pulley, DEKA 63lb injectors, ZL1 Fuel Pump, JLT 123MM Big Mouth intake, TSP 2" LTHs, BW TB, 2.5" Catback, Scott Culbert/GEN3PERF tuned! 573WHP/557WTQ @ 10psi. Build Thread Here: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=390708

06-17-2015, 04:07 PM	#7
nyrfan Let's go Rangers! Drives: 13' AGM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 10,742 View My Garage	It's really never been resolved. There are many ideas but no 100% fix. __________________ Soprano 4/1/00-6/14/11, Gone but NEVER forgotten! FSP tuned: 377/389

08-18-2015, 05:56 PM	#13
FASTDIESEL Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 SLP Cosmetics Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 382 View My Garage	The issue may be the oil its self (or the additive package in the oil). Some oil additives smell bad for a few hundred miles. The smell gets weaker as you drive. Oil change time, you will smell it again. Oil brand is the key to how much it smells. Hear it all the time in the Diesel world (more additives), not so much with gas burners. So, put your thinking cap on. Did you the smell the "oil leak" right after an oil change, and now it's better a few hundred miles later? __________________ 13.244 @ 104.91 100% stock (#17). Now - Mike Norris catch can. 245/50/19 Firestone Wingfoot A/S on LT2 black powder coated rims (square). 1 7/8" Speed-Engineering LTH, off road pipes, tune. Now 12.93 @ 109.13.

08-18-2015, 06:18 PM	#14
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Manual,DM exhaust,CRT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,587 View My Garage	also are you driving over fresher pavement? and could some of it be from wind blowing exhaust... do not just assume you are leaking without looking. __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data, Carbon, Nav, RotoFab Dry CAI, Elite x2, Borla ATK, Driveshaft shop

06-16-2015, 09:20 PM	#2
nosmr2 Drives: 2011 L99 SS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 500	I don't recall the thread on this. But when I got mine it had 11,000 miles on it and had a slight burning oil smell when stopped. I assumed it was spilt oil from a previous oil change. A couple hundred miles later and no smell. If it had not gone away I was going to look into it.

06-16-2015, 09:58 PM	#3
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	wasn't there a rear seal on the engine that tended to leak?

08-17-2015, 09:57 PM	#9
MPrento84 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 50 View My Garage	Do you have a catch can? Installed one on my SS and I don't notice the smell anymore. Only makes sense if you're burning an oz of oil every 1000 miles. I used to only smell it when I came to a stop. I bought the car used and only put about 500 miles on before I ordered one.

08-18-2015, 02:01 AM	#10
gorysaye Drives: camaro Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: FL Posts: 2	A couple hundred miles later and no smell. If it had not gone away I was going to look into it.