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Old 05-04-2013, 06:07 PM   #1
RallyB
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Default 2.5i burning smell?

I have a 2007 impreza and legacy 2.5i, whenever I accelerate hard in either car I get a harsh burning smell that smells like burning oil but not completely. Any thoughts? Both cars are over 100k miles and have both had the head gaskets replaced
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Old 05-04-2013, 11:55 PM   #2
Counterfit
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Small oil leak, old or loose belt slipping and heating up. I don't remember if the Legacy had AVLS like the Impreza, but some of the external hardware for it has been known to leak.
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Old 05-06-2013, 09:59 AM   #3
wonder squirrel
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I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy that I would get that oil burning smell from even though there were no oil leaks. Turns out the passenger side CV boot tore and slung grease out onto the exhaust, after driving for a bit, the exhaust would get hot and start burning the grease.
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Old 05-06-2013, 12:19 PM   #4
RallyB
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Yeah I think its most likely oil related, the crush washer on the impreza is seeping out oil so thats probably where the smell is coming from on that. I had passed a camaro yesterday driving like an idiot but the same smell was coming from his car too so tbh im not going to worry about it
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Old 05-06-2013, 04:15 PM   #5
Counterfit
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I doubt a slightly leaky crush washer would result in a smell. The only thing it could drip on is the ground.
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Old 05-06-2013, 05:28 PM   #6
evilWagon
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Do a visual check of your oil filter and see if there's drips on it. There's been problems with oil filters leaking under hard acceleration (high RPM's).
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Old 05-06-2013, 06:13 PM   #7
RallyB
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False, the oil is collecting at the bottom of the oil pan after seeping out of the crush washer and blowing backward during driving, but I do agree it does not make sense anyway. And the filter is fine no trace of oil
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Old 05-06-2013, 06:17 PM   #8
RallyB
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Maybe a cat problem? It would be the only sign I have of a bad cat if so
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Old 05-10-2013, 10:57 PM   #9
mathmagic22
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it could be your head gaskets, i had that problem with my 07 2.5i at about 95k miles, did a full tuneup when it happened because of a lot of overlap labor, guess it happens a lot with subaru engines, hopefully it's not that gaskets though otherwise your looking at $1500
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Old 05-12-2013, 04:34 PM   #10
Ctelectrician
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I just bought an 06 Impreza with the 2.5 and when I test drove the vehicle it had the same issue. Turns out that there are two sensors behind the upper radiator hose, the oil pressure and crank sensor. One of those was leaking oil and the oil was accumulating on the block, heating up and causing the smell. Check there. Hope this helps
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Old 05-12-2013, 05:13 PM   #11
RallyB
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Alright I'll deff check there. I realized a few days ago that it happens more randomly now than on hard acceleration so I believe it may be the oil leaking out of my crush washer.

Last edited by RallyB; 05-12-2013 at 06:11 PM.
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Old 05-12-2013, 08:44 PM   #12
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I am having the same problem with my 2011. It's not just hard acceleration. The smell seems to come through the vents.
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Old 05-12-2013, 09:09 PM   #13
RallyB
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Prob an oil leak somewhere like mine, I get it through the vents too but its worse with the windows down when it does stink
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Old 05-12-2013, 09:10 PM   #14
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I thought it may just be a subi thing but now that its happening on my car ive been noticing it on all types of other cars too
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Old 05-13-2013, 02:00 AM   #15
T-macks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mathmagic22 View Post
it could be your head gaskets, i had that problem with my 07 2.5i at about 95k miles, did a full tuneup when it happened because of a lot of overlap labor, guess it happens a lot with subaru engines, hopefully it's not that gaskets though otherwise your looking at $1500
+1 for head gaskets. Mine was doing it too. But not just from hard accerleration/high RPMs. I ignored it for months until I broke down. Turns out I had leaking head gaskets, a dropped valve guide, and a cracked head. So there was a ton of problems for mine, but you should definitely check your head gaskets.
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Old 05-13-2013, 10:43 AM   #16
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Oh trust me ive checked them again and again and again and they aren't leaking for me. Plus mine were just replaced 15, 000 miles ago
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Old 05-13-2013, 11:44 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RallyB View Post
Oh trust me ive checked them again and again and again and they aren't leaking for me. Plus mine were just replaced 15, 000 miles ago
You are very lucky then. Hopefully it's just a leak that's easily fixable.
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Old 05-13-2013, 05:11 PM   #18
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Just checked them again, passenger side is dry as can be and the drivers side is wet, mind you my oil pan is leaking from the top and thats very close to the driver side head gasket. Cleaned it up and it looks like the driver side one may be seeping a bit. Im told seepage is normal though
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Old 05-13-2013, 05:14 PM   #19
RallyB
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And today the burning smell returned on the highway every time I accelerated hard, its becoming more of a exhaust burning smell and I do not see any leaks large enough to cause the amount of stink I have. Car has held a full level of oil for 1000 miles now too and my stink was happening before that last oil change.
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Old 05-14-2013, 05:11 PM   #20
RallyB
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Could it be a faulty oil pump at all?
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Old 05-14-2013, 08:24 PM   #21
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Did you look under and behind the alternator and see if the sensors were leaking?
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Old 05-15-2013, 01:52 AM   #22
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Yeah none of them are leaking, I just give up tbh. Ive been researching the crap out of this and no one has any solutions or fixes
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Old 05-15-2013, 06:25 PM   #23
evilWagon
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Why don't you fix the leaking crush washer to eliminate the obvious oil leak... and clean off the oil remnants.

Have you replaced the sparkplug gaskets as well?
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Old 05-15-2013, 06:39 PM   #24
RallyB
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I will once I hit 3000 miles. I dont have the cash to do yet another 1000 mile oil change because of a leak. And no I havent, and cylinder 1 always has oil contamination but its been like that since ive owned the car, this "smell" just recently started
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Old 05-17-2013, 09:06 AM   #25
evilWagon
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I've had the (lack of) luck to have several oil leaks/oil burning/smell issues.

-Split Blue OEM oil filter dripping oil that wind pushed onto the header.
-Leaking AVLS sensor on the drivers head replaced under warranty.
-Oil leaking from the crush washer.
-Dealer splashed oil on the outside of the engine after an oil change.
-And spark plug tube seals leaking oil that would fill the cabin with the hot oil smell towards the last half of my hour long commute.
-I had the headgasket issue as well but that didn't contribute to much smell.

I'd suggest getting under there with some simple green after your next oil change and clean everything so you can find it easily if it continues.
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