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[I_want_an_Omega]

Hi,

My car ('98 2.5 V6 auto) makes a hot "dirty" oily smell when she is hot.

No oil is being burnt and I can see no obvious current leaks onto manifolds etc.

However, the back of the engine/gearbox is covered in very old dirty oil.

It's not suddenly started doing this & the problem is not getting any worse. I was hoping that the problem was caused by a previous leak and that the old oil would have burnt off by now.

I'm tempted to pressure wash the bottom of the engine/gearbox car (after I've sprayed Gunk on it) - bit somehow don't think this will make much difference.

Prior to me getting the car (in July last year), it had been neglected and not serviced in 18k miles/3 years  . I had it fully serviced by an OOF member - but who has subsequently fallen from grace. He did the breathers and cam covers and also replaced the sump which was leaking  - and I suspect the cause of the lost dirty oil. That service was done @ 95k, the car now has 99k. 

I recently did an oil/filter change within the last 500 miles. In that time the oil had become quite dirty but the oil from the most recent change is still nice and clean  - so I think most of the crud has been washed away.

The engine dosn't run hot and fans etc. all seem to kick in and control temp as they should.

So, any ideas would be welcome.

Thanks guys ........

Rob

[tigers_gonads]

if there is no oil on the floor or anything obvious,
i'd give it a good clean first rob then have a closer look 

[ians]

I wouldn't use a pressure washer though as you could damage something or get water ingress where it shouldn't. 

[duggs]

You are NOT alone on this one.  Seems to be a constant "thing" with Omega ownership.

Big cars, big engines but small oil leaks. !

I suspect they were leaking the moment they came off the production line 

[I_want_an_Omega]

Fair point.

There are no oil drops on the garage floor.

I think I will use the washer - but not too close. I'm convinced that the mess was caused by the leaky sump.

Thanks anyway

[feeutfo]

ime by far the most common cause of oil leaks is cam covers as i'm sure you know.

Usually if you can smell the oil a certain amount of smoke can be seen, maybe take the car for a good blast, pull over at a safe point with the engine good and hot lift the bonnet and see if any oil smoke gives you a clue to the location, then when cold spray with airosol gunk and rinse with hose if its just old oil, or fix the leak as apropriate...? maybe?

[dbug]

Check its not atf from autobox mate - pull the rubber bung on bottom of bell housing and stick your finger in - should be dry!!

[I_want_an_Omega]

Where exactly is the bung? Which is best side of the car to get to it? Thanks

[Road Hog Mad]

maybe the grade of oil used? I use to get oil changes at quick fit, mine smelt like burning oil after a long run but since using a different garage and magnatec it doesn't smell now.

[Dave-C]

Where exactly is the bung? Which is best side of the car to get to it? Thanks

The bung is central, so either side, it's in the faceplate directly between the rear of the engine sump and the bell housing and facing forward, it's about 30mm across.... hope this helps.

If there is oil in there try to establish what oil it is, it could be that you've got a leak on your crank rear oil seal as indeed I have, it seems to have subsided somewhat for no reason! 

[I_want_an_Omega]

maybe the grade of oil used? I use to get oil changes at quick fit, mine smelt like burning oil after a long run but since using a different garage and magnatec it doesn't smell now.

GM semi synth, which the current & previous changes were - smell is the same after the oil change. I didn't notice with the old old oil as I changed the oil within a couple of days of getting the car.

[Timsomega]

My V6 auto is currently in dock following recovery yesterday. It developed a very loud rattle from beneath the cambelt cover while I was on holiday and the AA sensibly stretchered it on a low loader 100 miles to my local dealer.
 
Unrelated to this fairly obvious fault in the last couple of weeks I had occasionally noticed a 'hot oil' with a touch of rubber smell after short journeys. Engine temperatures were all normal and I could not find the cause.
I have just been told by the dealer that I have a small leak from the diff that is running onto the exhaust (in addition to the front end issue). The diff seems fine so they are just changing the seal but it may explain the occasional 'hot oil' smell on my car.
My only qualm is that I noticed it more at the nearside front than rear of the car.....

[Bionic]

I use a pressure washer on mine every month or so, top and bottom just being careful where I aim it and have never had it fail to start, run or act any way out of the ordinary. Do not use the 'turbo' style lance though, just the normal one. Gunk is a good idea but I just get it hot then use the detergent additve made by karcher. It got rid of my weird smells after I had done all the leaks and had it serviced. Go for it m8.GudLuk

[Amigo]

As Chris said check cam cover gaskets.