So Im kinda stumped on this one.

99' civic SI
115k mi
no mods
28 mpg avg= normal

Here is everything I looked over and confirmed.

Oil burning smell *
-only at idle- smell through air vents when set on outside air(of course)
-only at operating temp. no smell when cold (of course)
-no fluids burning on exhaust pipe-anywhere
-engine does not have any oil leaks anywhere. (since I have owned the car I have put a rear main seal/lower pan gasket.)
-No other leaks of any other fluids-coolant/brake fluid/pwr steering.
-*engine is not burning oil- I change the oil every 3000mi- dip stick shows full when I hit 3000miles for the past 6 oil changes.
- **NO smoke out of the tail pipe at all. In any conditions- idle/cold start/operating temp/WOT
- no DTC's at all.
-Engine is completely bone stock.
- I know the previous owner and he did every maintenance at Honda(per service book-older guy in his 50's)
-Only thing I can think of and have not checked yet is PCV valve sticking.The PCV has never been change to my knowledge and rubber seals(on PCV/baffle box) are hard as a rock.
(@ idle in theory = highest vacuum- sucking oil fumes<--oil smell? I know PCV goes into the IM and fumes cant escape into atmosphere. But IDK what else to check out.

RonJ@HT any suggestions?? anyone? thanks

 

A new PCV is cheap, and it wouldn't hurt you to replace it anyway. I would also closely inspect the length of your exhaust for any signs of cracks or damage.

 

Replaced donut gasket in front of cat 7k ago, Could not find any black soot/air leak noise at gaskets and welds. Ill be changing the pcv/seals this sat. I thought of this, this is a some what common issue(welds causing exhaust leak/smell on some older nissan's. (im a nissan tech.)

 

bump

 

Valve cover gasket? Maybe blow by, but no leak, or slight leak into plug tubes?

 

commpression checks normal.
Replaced spark plugs/wires. No oil in plug tubes. No oil found externally of engine

 

I've heard people complain about a smell and it ended up being the VCG, even though they had no leaks... just a thought...

 

well ill pull the VC tonight and check it out.

 

Did you ever find the solution to your problem? I have a 00 EM1 and having the same issue.

 

2001 Honda crv, makes noise while driving, checked oil, added oil, then it started to smoke by oil stick