Our 2000 SSEi has developed a bad smell after it'* been running for a while. When you stop the car after a trip (and engine is warm) you can smell a burning smell like burning oil. You can also smell coolant at the same time. I can't see any visible leaks at all, but the burning oil and coolant smell is very strong. You can smell it without the hood even being opened. The car also has a rough idle to it. Rougher than normal for sure. It drives fine other than that. Any ideas of what could be wrong with it?

Did you recently do anything engine wise? Spilled some coolant or something into the bay? I know I get coolant trapped in the top of the control arms once in a while when im hangeing a tstat or soemthing and it takes a bit to burn off.

OK dumb question time- Have you check the oil level and is it "milky" ?

Sounds like the valve cover gasket is leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold.They sell a dye that can be added to your oil and then checked with a black light to find out where the oil leak is.Since you smell coolant and oil maybe you have an intake manifold gasket leaking,that would also cause a rough idle.

I have the same problem. I'm loosing coolant and now can smell it leaking. Turns out to be the water pump. I can only smell oil everyonce in a while, but i know my valve cover gaskets are leaking (i may just try tightening them). Could be a combo of those two. Take off your WP belt and check to see if the pulley moves side to side, if it does it'* time for replacement.

Looks up service records.....

Justins 2000 SSEI

Milage 36400
Complaint: Burning oil smell after car is shut off, and during first 5 minutes of driving in the cabin.

Resolve: replace rear valve cover gasket. (replace front as courtesy) Found intake gasket leak, potential coolant loss, replace intake gasket. Recomend intake cleaning to customer, and replacement cabin filter. (oil coated)


My guess? Rear valve cover gasket and possibly intake.

Got Warrenty? Hope so.

I see that you have the SC. Will have nothing to do with anti-freeze leak but you may want to run your finger under the front nose of the SC (way up under there). See if you get oil residue. The SC oil smells like a skunk'* anal glands . Even a slight weep will smell like hell from 5 ft. away! You'd think you blew your oil pan or something.

Ok, this looks to be a major problem. I didn't have the time so I had never checked into it myself, but my dad checked it, and the anti-freeze is a dark brown color, almost black, and there is coolant in the oil. Sounds like our worst fears come true... blown intake manifold gasket.

On a SC'ed car?

Whoa...so whats the plan? Fixing? How much?

Thank god for the bumper to bumper extended warranty. Not sure when we're going to take it in. We're going on vacation this weekend (300 mile drive) so it looks like the SSEi won't be making the trip, but mine probably will be instead. I guess at least it didn't happen while we were on our way.