Car Smells Like Oil After Oil Change (Explained)

Discovering that your car emits a strong oil smell after an oil change can be a confusing experience.

The lingering odor of oil within your car raises worries about potential issues or malfunctions.

In this guide, I outline the common reasons why your car smells like oil after an oil change and provide practical solutions to address this problem.

Reasons why your car smells like oil after oil change

Here’s why your car smells like oil after an oil change:

1. You have an oil spillage

Oil spillage during an oil change occurs when small amounts of oil are unintentionally spilled onto the engine block, exhaust manifold, or other components instead of being properly directed into the oil reservoir.

This spillage can happen due to various reasons, such as clumsy handling of the oil or funnel, overflow during pouring, or a disconnected oil drainage tube.

When this spilled oil comes into contact with hot engine parts, such as the exhaust manifold or engine block, it heats up rapidly.

As a result, the spilled oil starts to burn off when the engine is running, creating a noticeable smell of burning oil inside or around the car.

Signs of oil spillage during an oil change may include:

Visible oil traces spilled around the engine bay or underneath the car.
A strong smell of burning oil inside or around the car, especially noticeable after the engine heats up.
In some cases, you might observe wisps of smoke or fumes emanating from the engine compartment when oil comes in contact with hot surfaces.
Over time, spilled oil may leave a residue or buildup on engine components. This residue might appear as dark, greasy patches in the engine bay.

Solution:

Consult a mechanic to inspect and address the problem.

Cleaning the affected areas with a degreaser and checking for proper tightening of components will resolve the issue.

2. The oil filter has a problem

Oil filter issues can contribute to a car smelling like oil after an oil change, primarily due to improper installation, a defective filter, or leakage.

Here’s how oil filter issues can lead to a noticeable oil smell:

Improper Installation: If the oil filter is not installed correctly or securely during the oil change, it can cause oil to leak out. Improper threading or sealing of the filter can result in oil seepage, allowing the oil to escape and come into contact with hot engine parts.

As the engine heats up during operation, the leaked oil can burn off, emitting a noticeable odor of burning oil.

Defective or Damaged Filter: A faulty or damaged oil filter, either due to manufacturing defects or mishandling during installation, can lead to oil leakage.

A compromised filter may not effectively prevent oil from leaking out, causing it to drip onto the engine components, where it can burn and produce an odor.

Signs of oil filter issues:

Visible oil leaks.
Oil on engine components.
Persistent oil smell.
Low oil level.

Solution:

Seek assistance from a qualified mechanic to assess your car. The mechanic will inspect the oil filter, verify if it’s correctly installed and functioning, and address any concerns.

Regularly replacing the oil filter as part of routine maintenance is also important to ensure proper oil flow and prevent potential issues.

3. The oil cap or drain plug is not tightened

If the oil cap or drain plug is not properly tightened after an oil change, it can lead to oil leakage, resulting in a distinct smell of oil within the car or around the engine area.

The oil cap seals the oil reservoir, preventing oil from spilling out while also keeping contaminants from entering the engine.

If the oil cap is not securely tightened after an oil change, the oil may seep out from the reservoir and spread over the engine or other hot components.

When the engine heats up during operation, the spilled oil can burn off, causing a noticeable odor of burning oil.

The drain plug is removed during an oil change to allow the old oil to drain from the engine. If the drain plug is not adequately tightened after replacing the oil, it can lead to oil leakage.

This leaked oil can drip onto the hot engine parts, resulting in the oil burning off and emitting a distinct smell.

Signs of an oil cap or drain plug not being properly tightened:

Visible oil residue.
Burning oil smell.
Low oil level.

Solution:

Seek help from a mechanic to inspect an improperly tightened oil cap or drain plug. Ensuring proper tightening of these components prevents oil leaks, maintain proper oil levels, and eliminate the associated odor.

4. You have spilled oil on the exhaust manifold

Spilling oil on the exhaust manifold during an oil change can lead to a distinct smell of burning oil in the car or around the engine area.

The exhaust manifold becomes extremely hot during engine operation as it is responsible for collecting and channeling exhaust gases away from the engine.

If oil is spilled onto this hot surface during an oil change, the heat causes the spilled oil to rapidly burn off. This burning oil creates a distinct odor that is often described as the smell of burnt or heated oil.

Solution:

Cleaning the spilled oil residue from the exhaust manifold and surrounding areas eliminates the odor.

Also, being extra cautious during future oil changes can prevent similar incidents from occurring.

5. You have an oil leak

Oil leaks can be an ongoing issue that causes a car to smell like oil, and also after an oil change.

If there are existing leaks within the engine or its components before the oil change, the introduction of new oil might increase the odor as the fresh oil could come into contact with hot engine parts, further highlighting the leakage.

Worn-out or damaged gaskets, seals, or other engine components can lead to oil leaks.

These faulty parts may allow oil to escape from the engine, resulting in the oil coming into contact with hot surfaces and producing an odor when it burns off.

Signs of oil leaks:

Visible oil puddles underneath your parked car.
Oil stains or residue around gaskets, seals, and the oil pan.
Burning oil smell.
Low oil levels.

Solution:

Seek help from a mechanic to inspect your car for any signs of oil residue or leaks. They will replace damaged gaskets, seals, or other components causing the leaks.

6. The old residue oil is burning off

The remnants of oil or contaminants present in the engine before an oil change can heat up and burn off once fresh oil is introduced into the system.

When new oil is added, the change in viscosity, composition, or the introduction of cleaning agents in the new oil can cause the remnants of old oil or deposits to heat up and then burn off, leading to visible smoke.

Signs of old residue burning off include:

Smoke from the exhaust.
Burning smell.
No other changes to the car’s performance is experienced.

Solution:

Typically, this problem is temporary and decreases as the engine warms up and the residue burns away. If the smoke persists for an extended period, it might indicate another issue.

If smoking continues or if other concerning symptoms are persisting after your car’s oil change, have a mechanic inspect the car to rule out any potential underlying issues beyond the normal burning off of residue.

To minimize the chances of old residue burning off and causing smoke after an oil change, following of proper maintenance procedures, including regular oil changes at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals is important.

Also the use of high-quality oil and ensuring a complete oil drain during changes helps to minimize the buildup of old residue within the engine.