Oil Burning Smell/Oil Brand Sensitivity

[ElliottC]

My 2004 5. 9L 2500 has oil burning smell in the cabin at idle. Moving down the road there is no issue, but stopped in traffic or at a long stop light the cabin fills with the smell. The odor comes through the vents and you can make it go away by putting the A/C on re-circ mode. Fresh Delo 400 was just put in by a good independent mechanic -- very clean job with no oil spilled. I've heard that these engines are very sensitive to the type of oil used, and I've had numerous problems with my combo Ford/Dodge dealer mechanics often fudging it with Ford oil, which I notice instantly and have to take it back to make them re-do the job. I'm familiar with the putrid smell of the Ford oil, but I'm surprised to have an issue with the Delo (which does smell slightly different). Should I be looking at problems other than the type of oil? The dealer has fessed up to using the wrong oil each time (about 4 or 5 times), changes it, and claims there is no other problem but I'm starting to wonder. Truck has 110K miles. Is there some other problem that would cause a burning oil smell in the cab?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Look around the head and exhaust manifold for any signs of an oil leak.

 

[jjdiesel]

common

Sounds pretty normal. . right after an oil change. It will diminish as you add miles since the oil change.

 

[GaryOwen]

Remove the cover from over the valve cover. Check the rubber hose connections that go to the breather tube. I had one leaking and was getting really bad oil smell in cab.

 

[steved]

As noted common...



Common enough that dodge offers an "engine oil deodorizer" that is added to the oil...

 

[JJPage]

My father in law got a good buy on Rotela T, put it in his 03, Good God, did that leave an odor. I could hardly believe that was what it really was, changed it out back to Delo 400, and the odor went away.

 

[AABEN]

That is a very common thing don't worry about it. It will get less as the miles go on.

 

[BDaugherty]

I have been using free or reduced cost CL4+ oil since I've had my truck. Recently, I switched from CAT branded oil to Kendall due to availability. Right after the switch, I noticed the oil smell. It wasn't a big deal and it went away after a couple hundred miles.

 

[amsoilman]

Some oils will do as you say... ..... leave a smell after an oil change, but will not linger after 1-2 thousand miles. It has to do with the additives they use in the oil formulations.



Wayne