Thread: Burning Oil Smell

Are you sure its not coming from one of or both of the valve cover gaskets?

Originally Posted by Bruty74

My 01 is burning oil due to a leak somewhere that only occurs when the car is running. There's never any oil on the ground. it uses about a half a QT every couple weeks. It looks like the leak is somewhere near the bottom of the engine. anyone had a similar experience to this?

If it is coming from the bottom of the engine, it wouldn't burn it, it would leak on the ground. If the valve covers were leaking, you would get the burning smell as the oil leaked over the exhaust manifolds.

My guess is your valve covers are leaking.

take it to GM and see if ur car falls under the recall for the front valve cover gasket...get that done for free.Im willing to bet thats where the smell is coming from...mine got real stinky in the cabin when i ran the a/c or heater.

u can either call or take it up there,i heard about the recall on here...i took it directly to pontiac dealer,they had it fixed the next day.Dont quote me on this but i dont think the recall was directed to "all" Grand Prixs.And i dont think theres any other recalls for 97 - 03,other than front valve cover gasket.

The recall is only for supercharged engines.

I just did my valve cover gaskets, mines not S/C'ed but they were leaking. It will show it on the bottom of the engine, but if you get a flash light and look up or down at the valva cover gaskets, you might see some oil.