Oil or grease smell ???

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Hi All,

Not sure where to post this so i thought this would be a good a place as any.

I have noticed recently (approx 2 weeks) a oil or grease smell which I'm assuming is coming from the front left as the smell is more noticeable in this area.

The problem is i cannot identify the cause and its doing my head in!! I can't see any obvious signs of a leak in the engine bay and haven't seen any oil leaks or the driveway/road etc.

Admittedly i haven't been able to get underneath and check that out properly.

I don't know if it is grease from the Hub or CV and to be honest I don't know what i would be looking for if it were the start of something i'm assuming a complete failure would be an explosion of muck everywhere and the pride and joy parked on the side of the road!!

Would really appreciate your feedback, as we are heading off to Mansfield and Harriteville on Saturday.

Cheers

Michael

[Guest Close Guest]

Grease normally doesn't have a smell unless burning/ heated.
Could it be diff or gearbox oil as these have a very distinctive strong smell.

Cv boots can leak slowly. Common issue to see the cv boot bands fail.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

The front diff breather is located on the passengers side wheel arch, not coming from that ??.... You don't say wether diesel or petrol ?? No leaks from the rocker cover then dripping onto exhaust manifold ??.. Doesn't take much to get a smell and as Piggy has said gearbox oil or diff/transfer oil is a very strong smell... Cheers Steve

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Thanks for the replies, i was chatting to the good lady wife who can confirm the burning smell is most noticeable when stationary i.e wafting through when sitting at lights or after parking the car.

I'll check the front diff and around the gearbox tomorrow, what does it look like when the CV boot is leaking? sorry never seen a leaking one before...

I do have diff breathers so i will pay attention to this area, also it is a diesel. i'll check the rocker cover and manifold again tomorrow

Cheers

Michael

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

If CV boot is leaking you will have MOLY grease spraying under. Like a black/grey/silvery looking colour grease. Generally sprays up under the wheel arch on the plastic under guard.. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...56&FORM=IQFRBA

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

has it just been serviced? excess grease from the drive shafts been thrown onto the exhaust .

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Thanks for the link to the images, i'll check later on today and post the findings.

Car had the 150k service back in July/August and has done just over 3 thousand k's since then.

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Ok I have had a really good poke around and i can confirm there is nothing leaking within the the engine bay, nothing from the manifold dropping onto the exhaust etc i can also confirm the CV's are fine there is no build up of oily greasy gunk.

The drive shaft as thrown some oil around however it isn't excessive or anything to worry about.

I did however notice the centre diff is leaking oil, the bash plate is covered , the best way i can describe it is that it isn't dripping like a tap or anything however when you touch it your hand comes away with oil over it, the oil is clean.

The diff isn't making any horrible noises or anything, i don't know if its normal for it to loose oil or not?

what do i do now meant to be going away on Saturday with the van

[Guest Close Guest]

I would clean it up as best as possible. Carry some spare oil and tools to top it up of need be and monitor it closely.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

The transfer case seal has been known to leak from time to time, that sounds like it could be your issue. There are a few threads on the topic if you are keen to search them out.

Cheers Andrew

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Thanks guys, I cleaned the transfer case guard and went for a 40 k drive, i can see it is leaking on the top drivers side the it appears minimal at this stage however i'm worried now about towing a 20ft van and doing several day trips around the high country....

What oil would you recommend and what tools will i need to have on my just in case? sorry about to head to an christmas party.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

SAE 75w-90 is the spec oil, getting it in could be tricky though. I have a largish syringe that I carry with me for messy little jobs like this should they arise.

A spanner to undo the plug to top up is about all you are going to need to check and top up oil. Carrying a good selection of tools is always worthwhile though.

Might have to keep an eye out for you as we will be in around the same area at the same time as you by the sounds.

Cheers Andrew

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

You haven't had any work done on your injectors, have you? I had similar symptoms. It turned out to be diesel leaking from an injector pipe. This is just in case someone else is using this thread for their issues. I'm sure you can tell the difference.

[Toy4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toy4x4]

Injectors were changed out at 142k so am confident thats not my particular issue but certainly handy knowing what happened in your situation.

Thanks for the information Andrew i'll have a hunt around hopefully i can find it, i've got a syringe i can use however finding it is going to be another story!!
Message me if your keen on joining us on a day trip, we have a few trips already planned ranging from easy/medium touring to some medium/hard to suit different experience levels.

Cheers
Michael