Oil smells like gas

windmill · 11-10-2005, 08:20 AM

Hi All,

I've put about 2K miles on the car since the last oil change and the oil is dark and smells a little like gas. Is this a sign of a problem (as in- should I mention this to the dealer before my bumper-to-bumper warranty expires)? I've never noticed the gas smell before. Searches have yeilded little info.

Car is stock, BTW.

Thanks!

solbergfan · 11-10-2005, 08:29 AM

It seems to be common with these cars because they run very rich-I checked my oil the other day and could smell the fuel on the dipstick.

2fas4u · 11-10-2005, 08:37 AM

yep the richness causes this in our cars. Mine was the same way.

gbonesti · 11-10-2005, 08:41 AM

maybe 500 miles after an oil change,my oil always smells faintly of gas... i'm guessing you do much stop and go.
i drive 6 miles each way to and from work which seems to exacerbate the blow by problem.
i wouldn't worry about it.

g

Madness · 11-10-2005, 09:04 AM

maybe this is normal for our cars but this is not right. This leads to heavy oil consumption and in my case a blown engine. Take it to the dealer!!!

Ol'SaltyBastard · 11-10-2005, 10:38 AM

I did my first oil change at 1K miles, and it STUNK of gasoline!! Changed it every 3K miles since, and haven't burned a drop. Oh, it doesn't stink anymore.

Davenow · 11-10-2005, 10:44 AM

blowby

Your motor was new, so the rings were not sealed as well as they are/will be, which allows a lot of blowby past them.

Madness · 11-10-2005, 10:45 AM

self healing? your lucky!

Davenow · 11-10-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezamaster

self healing? your lucky!

not self healing

The rings just seal better after the break in is done.

Singletrack · 11-10-2005, 11:19 AM

If you are paranoid, you can: 1. Get an oil analysis done by blackstone labs and 2. have a leakdown/compression test done on the motor.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 11-10-2005, 08:00 PM

3. take a lighter to your dipstick. if you can use it like a fire swallower you've got a problem.

Adam · 11-10-2005, 08:12 PM

They call this cylander wash.. When the gas from the chamber actually goes past the ring and into the oil pan... Be very weary of this as gas will reduce the effectivness of the oil.... This means you may not have a fully broken in motor...

Adam

Singletrack · 11-11-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceChapman

3. take a lighter to your dipstick. if you can use it like a fire swallower you've got a problem.

Hahahahaha - nice.

Singletrack · 11-11-2005, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

They call this cylander wash.. When the gas from the chamber actually goes past the ring and into the oil pan... Be very weary of this as gas will reduce the effectivness of the oil.... This means you may not have a fully broken in motor...

Adam

It could easily be a clearance issue also, i.e. there might just be too much room between the cylinder and the piston.

Madness · 11-11-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singletrack

It could easily be a clearance issue also, i.e. there might just be too much room between the cylinder and the piston.

What I understand from my engine builder is Subaru Turbo cars have always been known for this.

11-10-2005, 08:20 AM	#1
windmill Professional STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: COBB Stage 1! Posts: 462 IWSTI Addict since: May 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Oil smells like gas Hi All, I've put about 2K miles on the car since the last oil change and the oil is dark and smells a little like gas. Is this a sign of a problem (as in- should I mention this to the dealer before my bumper-to-bumper warranty expires)? I've never noticed the gas smell before. Searches have yeilded little info. Car is stock, BTW. Thanks! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-10-2005, 09:04 AM	#5
Madness The Next Petter Solberg Location: Lake Sammamish, WA Posts: 984 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	maybe this is normal for our cars but this is not right. This leads to heavy oil consumption and in my case a blown engine. Take it to the dealer!!! Last edited by Madness; 11-10-2005 at 10:45 AM.

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11-10-2005, 08:29 AM	#2
solbergfan Senior STI Driver Car: 05 CGM STi Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 355 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	It seems to be common with these cars because they run very rich-I checked my oil the other day and could smell the fuel on the dipstick.

11-10-2005, 08:37 AM	#3
2fas4u Silver Member Car: 05 & 09 WRB STI Location: Manchester, Maryland Posts: 2,469 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	yep the richness causes this in our cars. Mine was the same way.

11-10-2005, 08:41 AM	#4
gbonesti Junior STI Driver Car: WRB 2004 WRX STi Location: Los Angeles Posts: 106 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	maybe 500 miles after an oil change,my oil always smells faintly of gas... i'm guessing you do much stop and go. i drive 6 miles each way to and from work which seems to exacerbate the blow by problem. i wouldn't worry about it. g

11-10-2005, 10:38 AM	#6
Ol'SaltyBastard Spec C Club Car: 1983 Mercedes Benz 3 Location: N. Kentucky/Cinci Posts: 1,464 IWSTI Addict since: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I did my first oil change at 1K miles, and it STUNK of gasoline!! Changed it every 3K miles since, and haven't burned a drop. Oh, it doesn't stink anymore.

11-10-2005, 10:44 AM	#7
Davenow Professional STI Racer Car: 07FXT. Fast Location: Austin TX Posts: 812 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	blowby Your motor was new, so the rings were not sealed as well as they are/will be, which allows a lot of blowby past them.

11-10-2005, 10:45 AM	#8
Madness The Next Petter Solberg Location: Lake Sammamish, WA Posts: 984 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	self healing? your lucky!

11-10-2005, 11:19 AM	#10
Singletrack Spec C Club Car: 04 Impreza WRX STi Fav Mod: La Quarta Stella Location: Blitzburgh, PA Posts: 1,440 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (2)	If you are paranoid, you can: 1. Get an oil analysis done by blackstone labs and 2. have a leakdown/compression test done on the motor.

11-10-2005, 08:00 PM	#11
*Neanderthal Racing* GT R US Car: CUTN EDG project Fav Mod: $20. mudflaps from auto zone Location: my cave Posts: 5,967 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	3. take a lighter to your dipstick. if you can use it like a fire swallower you've got a problem.

11-10-2005, 08:12 PM	#12
Adam Junior STI Driver Posts: 122 IWSTI Addict since: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	They call this cylander wash.. When the gas from the chamber actually goes past the ring and into the oil pan... Be very weary of this as gas will reduce the effectivness of the oil.... This means you may not have a fully broken in motor... Adam