('90 300SE)

In the morning, on the way to work, after the car has warmed up some...

Smells like burning oil in cabin.

Comes through the vents- either heat or cool air.

Only when I am at a stop light.

I repaced the VC as there was a little leak, but that did not fix the problem.

I have let the car warm up in the driveway but can not seem to find any smoke or locate the smell.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

I get this aswell but that is because I need to put a head gasket on my 94 e320. What happens is that the oil runs down the side of the block on the Exhaust side. When your driving the fumes and smell is blown back away from the cabin but at a stop the smell rolls into the cabin. Are you leaking oil at all? if so check where it is coming. May be the head gasket.

I get the same smell periodically...usually after I exit the highway.

I though it was due to my needing a head gasket, but after it was replaced a year ago, the occassional odor persists.

It is indeed coming from oil dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold, but I believe a leaky valve cover seal could also contribute.

Check for telltale signs of oil trails and scorched areas on the exhaust maniford...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car