i own a 03 VW Passat. I have oil smell (sometimes). Mechanic says it's possibly the turbo. Comments?

Answer 1

A failed turbocharger compressor shaft seal enables oil to migrate into the exhaust gas stream post combustion. Faulty valve stem seals do the identical thing by introducing oil into the combustion process. A leaking valve cover or camshaft seal can allow oil to leak onto hot exhaust parts and achieve the same effect by burning off and emitting fumes. You should perform a visual inspection from above and beneath. Also inspect the tail pipe to see if has an oily residue on it's inner surface by wiping it with a peice of paper. Fuel combustion residues may be black, but are always dry. Oily residues make paper transparent. All of the things I mentioned are easy to find

Answer 2

You could be leaking oil at the turbo, but you would be able to see it. And if the mechanic is trying to tell you the turbo is shot, you would know by a lack of power or louder than normal turbo whine, and a leak at the turbo is only going to get worse.. The oil smell is burning oil? Definetly look around the turbo area and exhaust header.

Answer 3

You shouldn't be getting any odours in the cab no matter what the turbo or engine is doing. The seal on the firewall is not sealing. Oil smell would be more likely on oil that actually hits the hot exhaust manifold and burns. Leaks on the oil feeder line to the turbo would be visible and could be fixed. Turbos don't generally cause many problems. They work or they don't. Just would have less pickup.

Answer 4

I had a 2000 V6 Passat that started smelling like oil after I had been driving for a while and stopped at a light. Turned out is was a camshaft seal - covered by the powertrain warranty. I'd look at crankshaft and camshaft seals or valve cover gaskets.

Answer 5

If you have a oil cooling tube going into your turbo, that could be your smell. Sometimes, if your turbo is going bad, it will leak oil out of the turbo, or sometimes, let oil into your exhaust, and you will have black smoke and have a oil smell.

Answer 6

No offense but what you say smells like a oil leak maybe a coolant leak. Take it to a ASE certified mechanic. Like me. And get a seperate second mechanic at another shop look at without telling that shop. See what happens. Do your research on these shops too.

Answer 7

if your not having a blue smoke from the exhausts then you have an oil leaks around the exhaust manifolds.

Answer 8

hey i once had that from the heater so there is quite a range of possibilities also a leak that is getting to the muffler could be it

Answer 9

What smell were you expecting from a piece of junk?

Answer 10

if your selling it im wiv u bro.