Back in October, I noticed a burning smell almost like a burning candle. I thought it was a plastic bag stuck on the exhaust. Come to find out it was my valve covers leaking, at least the front was leaking because I could see smoke coming off the manifold and it smelled just like that smell.
I ended up doing my LIM and UIM gaskets. While I was in there, I replaced both valve cover gaskets. I noticed the front valve cover bolts were LOOSE and that could've been why it was leaking, also the BACK valve cover bolts were loose too - this was BEFORE I replaced the gaskets. Afterwards I put the new gaskets in, torqued everything in sequence, and I never smelled that smell again.
The other day I smelled something like OIL burning right when the car got up to operating temperature. Then it went away.
Then tonight I drove around, but I was punching it hard because I changed my exhaust. After I got home, I sat idling in the driveway with the windows down and I could smell oil burning.
The oil filter looks dry. But should I check to see if the valve covers are leaking again? I didn't replace those rubber things around the bolts because they didn't look worn. Should I use some kinda thread sealant on those valve cover bolts? What else can cause this smell? Would an oil pan gasket cause this smell? I did get a recall notice in the mail about the front valve cover leaking oil and causing an engine fire. My spark plug boots have the silver heat shield on them.
Car does have 198k but runs really well. I replaced the PVC valve when I did the UIM.
