CN: 220,000 don't know maintenance history, oil smells burnt, but no smoke and not burning off the oil. Maybe a problem starting? what to check?

i bought a 96 civic as a 2nd vehicle a while ago. it had 200,000kms. I have no previous maintenance records.

I had the timing belt changed at probably 210,000 (but not the water pump), have kept the oil changed with non-synthetic oil and honda filters every 5000kms, replaced the air filter and plugs when i bought it. All fluid levels are good.

Recently the gas mileage has gone down quite a bit (its getting colder in canada but not this extreme) from 550kms on ~35 liters to 400kms on ~35 liters. I've noticed the oil currently in the car is smelling burnt (off the dipstick). The oil is topped up and the car doesn't smoke, the oil level never goes down. Soemtimes driving you can smell it as well if the vents are open and blowing.

I picked up honda parts for tune-up, air & fuel filters, distributor cap & rotor, new plugs and going to change engine oil/filter. What could cause this burnt oil smell or is it normal for a car with 220,000kms (current mileage) after about 3500kms on the oil change?

Is replacing the tranny oil a good or bad idea without knowing the history? I've heard some people say if your tranny oil has never been changed then don't start changing it.



Modified by luciffer at 2:29 PM 11/4/2005