|
|
Oil Smells from My Engine
by Bob DeP.
AskBob@stretcher.com
Dear Bob,
My '88 Plymouth Voyager was starting to burn oil; a costly valve job (valves were ground, guides reset, gaskets & rings replaced) has helped considerably (no longer have to purchase oil by the case) but I still detect an oil odor occasionally when the engine is allowed to idle any length of time. My question is - I have seen products in the automotive section of stores that are additives to cut down on smoking, etc. Are these safe/effective? Or am I better off leaving them alone? We change the oil regularly & check it frequently, & haven't had to add oil between changes since the work was done in October.
Virginia
Virginia,
The smell of oil could be coming from a slight leak in the valve cover gasket that is dripping on the exhaust system somewhere. Not enough to notice in your checks, but just enough to stink up the place. Another place to look is at the PCV system. Make sure that there is a fresh PCV valve and all the lines are connected properly. As for your question about additives, I dont think that they will help your problem. Are they safe? Some of the early ones actually bonded themselves to the metal of the engine, thus making them not repairable. Look at it this way, if you need a MAJOR engine overhaul and they need to over bore the cylinders, they simply CANT. Some others are just really think oil that mixes with the thinner oil that you have already in the car. You can do the same thing by just using a thicker oil to start with (not reccommended for newer cars, only older ones with problems).
Good Luck!
Drive Safely!
Bob, The Auto Answer Man
If you have a question for Bob send it to: . He's able to answer many of them personally and we'll include the best questions in future issues of The Dollar Stretcher.
Subscribe to TDS Newsletters
Join over 250,000 other subscribers!
To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.
View the TDS privacy policy.
|
Money problems? Struggling with credit card debt? What you need to know about bankruptcy? Trouble repaying student loans?
|
Get free money-saving articles in your inbox!
Sign up for our free weekly eNewsletter Surviving Tough Times.
Looking for an answer to a frugal living question? Click here to ask a
Dollar Stretcher Stretchpert!
Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.
Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805
"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.
| About Us | Privacy Policy | Writer's Guidelines | Sponsorship | Media | Contact Us |
