uh oh... what's that smell???

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Hey guys, and gals,

I'm wondering if you can help me?

I noticed yesterday that I have this strong smell of oil while fully depressing the gas pedal. It's only noticeable under full throttle, do you think it's excess or spilled oil, burning off?

Or would it be more likely that the orings are shot, and need to be replaced? Any help, or first hand experiences would be awesome.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

By the way, I just topped up my oil with M1 syn 5w30.

I drive hard, all the time, I can't help it.

Only noticed the smell after I added oil

Any other questions or things that are not clear let me know.. Thanks guys

[marlin29311]

Did you drop any oil in the engine bay?

Is your oil cap sealed correctly?

[BrandAidDesignG35]

I did spill a small amount of oil, but it would've burned off by now.

I've upgraded to a nismo oil cap, and it is possible it wasn't seated properly, I'll look into it and report back. Thanks Marlin

[tollboothwilley]

If you only notice the smell when after you have topped it off, then I would think its just burning off what you spill??

How often are you topping off and how much do you put in???

I don't lose oil in my engine....

[BrandAidDesignG35]

I have noticed some really bad oil consumption from my engine... I can loose 3 quarts between recomended oil change intervals... but usually 2 per 5000km. Just depends if I'm at the track.

I think the previous owner had some $, but no brains.

So, I'm within the "Dealership's" warranty exempt area for oil consumption...

[pfarmer]

I have noticed some really bad oil consumption from my engine... I can loose 3 quarts between recomended oil change intervals... but usually 2 per 5000km. Just depends if I'm at the track.

I think the previous owner had some $, but no brains.

So, I'm within the "Dealership's" warranty exempt area for oil consumption...

Not sure if this applies or not to a Nissan engine. However on a 68 Ford 390 I had I could go through a quart in just a few miles if I floor it.

What I found was the oil drain holes in the heads were virtually plugged off. Cleaned these out with rods and all was good. If you really got on the engine it apparantly could pump far more oil into the valve train than what could drain away. It would then leak out the valve covers and drip right on the dual exhaust.

Perry

[SteveTheTech]

Hey Grant,

A few quick questions.

How many Kls on your car?How often do you run at WOT?Is there any visible oil leakage?Is your dipstick fully installed?

Keep in mind when you put the engine under full throttle any weakness in the circuit will be exposed. You need to find where it's coming from. Looking for smoke on start up isn't going to work in your environment...stupid cold. A leak or clogged/clogging PCV, although that's not really common. Blow by and other mechanical issues maybe to blame here, a smell while abusing isn't enough to condemn anything. Good Luck

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Steve, thanks for the help, and everyone for that matter

I now have 126000km on the car, I drive it like I stole it, all the time, no visible oil leaks, except I noticed that there was some spots near the oil cap... like it wasn't seated properly... and causing oil to spit out onto the upper plenum (slightly) I adjusted the nismo cap, drove it like I stole it for a couple days, and have not noted the smell since, thankfully.

I would have kept the oil dipstick in there, that's not like me.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Sorry to revive the smelly thread, I have noted the smell again, this time maybe stronger, I'm concerned that something is about to blow I noticed my coolant was low, would that account for the smell by chance? I'm going to do some research, and maybe take it in to the shop Any other ideas guys?

It's only when I really come on to her, like High rpms usually, but my girlfriend was like that stanks!

[tollboothwilley]

If your coolant is low and not cooling the engine properly you could be burning oil. That could account for the smell.

Check your oil levels and make sure the coolant is full. Why is yoru coolant level low?? Hopefully you aren't losing anything into the heads via bad gasket.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Neglect, would be the short answer.

The coolant has been low, ie: near the minimum line since summer It hasn't been driven daily either, I'm just driving it more now because it's getting sunny

I'll top it up with some distilled water / coolant mix, do you know the ratio off hand?

I've looked under the G to find any oil leaks, none present, but I'll keep you guys posted on this BS.

Thanks John

[tollboothwilley]

I'm not sure what the Nissan manual says about mixture, but with you being in Florida where its not gonna freeze, I would go with a 40% coolant and 60% distilled water. Somewhere in that range.

Higher water mix will dissipate heat better.

Problem is, if your car has been running hotter than normal from low coolant levels then the life of your engine oil could have been severely cut down. I think that would make it burn quicker too.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Will pick some coolant up tonight, and report back with my findings, I'm thinking you may be onto something with this, but my heat gauge has never gone above the normal level... and there is some coolant, it's just low

What kind of legnth of time would it take to cause severe damage under these conditions? I'm getting worried now... Thanks for the heads up... I'm glad I brought this thread back from the grave.

[tollboothwilley]

I've done some research on the temp sensor for our cars. It seems that they are not as responsive as you might think. You could be running a little hot and not know it. I found this as i was researching the E-fan conversion.

I would say that running 20* hotter for 400-500 miles would be similar to running 1500-2000 miles normally.

[tollboothwilley]

I would pay close attention to the coolant levels to make sure you don't have a more serious problem.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

1+Thanks again, so I guess the bullet proof VQ has a weakness... leave it to me to find it

I will get into this tonight, it's kinda cold, but I don't care, if it may save me some $ down the road, I won't mind freezing a lil tonight! Hey John, thanks

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Hey Grant,

A few quick questions.

How many Kls on your car?How often do you run at WOT?Is there any visible oil leakage?Is your dipstick fully installed?

Keep in mind when you put the engine under full throttle any weakness in the circuit will be exposed. You need to find where it's coming from. Looking for smoke on start up isn't going to work in your environment...stupid cold. A leak or clogged/clogging PCV, although that's not really common. Blow by and other mechanical issues maybe to blame here, a smell while abusing isn't enough to condemn anything. Good Luck

Uh.... so.... I was topping up my coolant, and also, I noticed my power steering was low, so I went and bought some... and, also 2 Qrts of M1, to be safe.

I topped everything up in the wind

And noticed that there was more oil below the intake than last time so I was about to finally top up the oil... and I noticed the dipstick wasn't and Steve, you'll have to pardon my ignorance...

wasn't in all the way So, I was thinking about this thread since I found out laughing to myself.. thanks guys again, that's awesome too that it's nothing major, I keep my car in good working order tothe best of my ability. we'll beside wot 247.

[av8or]

Uh.... so.... I was topping up my coolant, and also, I noticed my power steering was low, so I went and bought some... and, also 2 Qrts of M1, to be safe.

I topped everything up in the wind

And noticed that there was more oil below the intake than last time so I was about to finally top up the oil... and I noticed the dipstick wasn't and Steve, you'll have to pardon my ignorance...

wasn't in all the way So, I was thinking about this thread since I found out laughing to myself.. thanks guys again, that's awesome too that it's nothing major, I keep my car in good working order tothe best of my ability. we'll beside wot 247.

be careful when you put back that dipstick... i happened to me too.. dipstick wasn't all in and oil got out to the manifold and got the burning smell..

[SteveTheTech]

That's good to hear.

Under 90% of driving conditions the oil pressure is not sufficient enough to actually shoot out of there, but it does happen. It's good that it was something that doesn't require any components replacement or work or any kind to resolve. I wouldn't :tisk you for something like that, I'm glad you found it.

1+

Thanks again, so I guess the bullet proof VQ has a weakness... leave it to me to find it

You dog the hell out of your car, and although you only have 78k on an auto and it should last you well beyond that with some maintenance and proper loving. The motor you have was pre high rev and pre VVEL so it's the last of the original legacy. Don't get me wrong I love the new technology but the motor that is in your car is pretty basic and it works.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

1+ for preventative maintenence... I spelt that wrong.

I am relieved that I can now flog the car, without the smell.

It was really funny when I found the dipstick loose, my girlfriend has been calling me dipstick since it happened but that's OK.

It was funny, I was so proud that I "fixed" the problem, and when I started explaining the symptoms, and how I found the dipstick loose with great proud proclaimation, I always end up sounding like a tool. even if I just finished a transmission swap, I'd still end up looking dumb when it's over.

I agree that Nissan / Infiniti engines are the cat's meow, I would never get any other brand of vehicle.

I'm now debating whether to trade my G sedan on a coupe, or my altima on a J30... Steve? How do you like driving the J? Is it hard on gasoline? auto/ manual transaxel? I can thread jack, this thread is MINE

Thanks again everyone

[tollboothwilley]

why not upgrade that Alti for another G...a coupe?

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Just bought a house instead... I will probably end up with a JDM RHD R32 SR20DETT Skyline, just a matter of time... my business is picking up like crazyness... Buying a diamond for the GF, maybe get married sometime soon too

[tollboothwilley]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh

crazy

What is your business?

You should get a 240SX and do a SR20DETT swap. I think the 240s are hot. Especially if you can find a Silvia.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Brand Aid Design

I lust after the 95+ 240 sx, I almost bought one last year, but for winter driving decided on the shotty altima.

I love the R33, and of course the R34... But for track, I'm looking at the R32, they're cheaper now, and they still hold all the novelty IMHO. There is an import dealer in Montreal who only sells japan domestic imports, engines, etc... They have supras, evos, subarus, and mostly Nissans

[tollboothwilley]

Graphic design...haha

got ya..

If you do end up getting the R32 I'm sure it will be fun as well

[SteveTheTech]

I agree that Nissan / Infiniti engines are the cat's meow, I would never get any other brand of vehicle.

I'm now debating whether to trade my G sedan on a coupe, or my altima on a J30... Steve? How do you like driving the J? Is it hard on gasoline? auto/ manual transaxel? I can thread jack, this thread is MINE

Same here I'll drive whatever comes my way at the right price.... free but I really like the style and design that Infiniti and Nissan have striven for over the last few decades. They have tried (with varying degrees of success) to make quick, dependable, and well appointed cars, and for my needs they fit perfectly.

I wouldn't advise you to trade your car for anything that is a decade older. A J is an expensive car to maintain. I ordered front sway bar links ($121 for the LF$115 for the RF, I do not know why they are different prices) but everything is old and expensive. When it's running as it should it's an amazing car (for the age) it breaks speed limits with effortlessness. The only cheap thing on them are tires and.....yeah that's just about it, it's motivated me to take things apart and do what I can to fix them. Although I have left a few small electrical bugs that will keep me busy down the road (ASCD inop and DLC doesn't power up).