Good Morning,

When oil hits an exhaust manifold, or is real close to it, it has a smell that you can't miss. Lately when I run my car a little hard I smell this. I've looked over the engine & from what I can see it is clean as a pin (I washed it a few weeks ago). I do know that I probably have an oil pan gasket that needs to be replaced. When I change the oil the pan has oil on it, and around the gasket area it looks like it's not sealed tight. I'm wondering if the oil coming from around that area could be causing that smell- the amount I'm losing is very small. I appreciate your time.


Hugh Sr.

1984 190d, 2.2 143,456

Sure it's possible if there is even a heavy trace leaking from the valve pan gasket onto the exhaust manifold. Also check the valve pan for flatness the next time you have it off.

inspect all the crankcase breather tubes... they are probably leaking onto the head around the injectors.

If the pan is leaking, wind could be throwing it onto the exhaust when moving fast enough.

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