Burning Oil Smell but no leaks
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 17
From: West Palm Beach
2004 S500
Burning Oil Smell but no leaks
Still have my 2004 W220 S500 with about 185K miles. Over the past few months I have noticed a burning oil smell after driving a while but I have no visible leaks or smoke. Just in case I had the Valve Cover Gaskets replaced and that had know effect.
Any thoughts...Thanks in advance
Any thoughts...Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 17
From: West Palm Beach
2004 S500
Found my problem...
I think I may have found and solved my problem and thought I would pass this along.
I had an issue at the beginning of January with my Air Matic that required a part that had to come from Germany!!
Long story short, I waited 3 months for the part to arrive and be installed. During the process my Independent shop was sold. During that time my car was parked out side under a group of trees along with several others.
Today I started looking under the hood for any oil leaks but only found residual oil from a previous leak...but also discovered a CRAP LOAD OF DRIED LEAVES!!
I promptly got our my powerful Milwaukee Cordless detail blower and blew out all of the leaves and found a few that HAD BEEN BURNED by the hot exhaust!!
I cleaned everything out and actually had to blow a whole mess of leaves off of my driveway. I am so lucky that I discovered all of this before I burned my car up!!!
I went for a few long spirited drives on this 90* day in Florida and guess what? No more burning oil smell!!
I hope this helps someone else....look under your hood regularly...you might be surprised what you find!!
I had an issue at the beginning of January with my Air Matic that required a part that had to come from Germany!!
Long story short, I waited 3 months for the part to arrive and be installed. During the process my Independent shop was sold. During that time my car was parked out side under a group of trees along with several others.
Today I started looking under the hood for any oil leaks but only found residual oil from a previous leak...but also discovered a CRAP LOAD OF DRIED LEAVES!!
I promptly got our my powerful Milwaukee Cordless detail blower and blew out all of the leaves and found a few that HAD BEEN BURNED by the hot exhaust!!
I cleaned everything out and actually had to blow a whole mess of leaves off of my driveway. I am so lucky that I discovered all of this before I burned my car up!!!
I went for a few long spirited drives on this 90* day in Florida and guess what? No more burning oil smell!!
I hope this helps someone else....look under your hood regularly...you might be surprised what you find!!
Last edited by sprink49; May 4, 2026 at 06:08 PM.
