Burning oil smell?

[axelmasok]

This might be old news to Focus fans but I am growing tired of the burning oil smell we get inside the car after driving for about 20min or so.
We have a Focus SR 2004 manual.
My parents have an '04 LX auto and it smells the same after a while and the folks have noticed it too.

Just today I had ours up on the hoist at the local mechanic to check for leaks again - not a drop. Oil filter surroundings are clean.

Is there any use bringing this car to Ford for a check (still under warranty)?

Anyone else out there know where the smell is coming from? It's definitely oil, more engine than gear oil. Not brakes or clutch either, nor coolant.
Thanks

[melbzetec]

Have had my Focus for 4 years, and have never experienced or heard of your problem.

Definitely take it back to the dealer to check if you are still under warranty....surprised you haven't already. I don't think this is a common problem

(You and your folks don't drive with the handbrake half on do you???? LOL)

[More revs]

Might be a stuffed cat??

[axelmasok]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

(You and your folks don't drive with the handbrake half on do you???? LOL)

Sorry, nope. Like I said, I know handbrake/brake smell.

Stuffed Cat eh? You will have to explain that one because the only possibility I can think of is serious loss of engine oil which i would notice, smoke and or fire coming out the exhaust. There is no oil leak onto the cat housing either as I checked.

[melbzetec]

Yes, but you only say a burning oil smell....which doesn't mean it is actually burning oil.

What More Revs is trying to suggest is that when a catalytic converter fails, it often changes the smell of the exhaust gases....which you may be interpreting as a "burning oil" smell

And the handbrake line was only a joke!

[More revs]

Thanks Melb that's what I should have said..

[axelmasok]

I'm curious now. Can you tell me what sort of failure will result in a change of smell and what may cause it?

[melbzetec]

Any failure of the cat can cause this change of smell. Often it is a rotten egg gas smell. Often caused by .....excessive heat in the cat... a bit of a common problem in Australian conditions....and once this happens, the ECU can dump more fuel into the system as the O2 sensors start to get a different reading, and this excess fuel will then make sure the cat is totally stuffed as it contminates the precious metals in the cat. Usually you would notice a lack of performance and start to hear rattles as the cat starts to die.

Best get to your dealer I'd say, especially since you are still in warranty.

And a reading of your ECU by the dealer will be more useful than a local bloke putting the car on the hoist. That will quickly tell you if you have a cat problem

Good Luck

[axelmasok]

Fair enough. Will do.