I pulled the dipstick out to check my oil and noticed a strong smell of gas in the oil. The oil seemed to be “thin” as well. Is this an issue to be concerned about? I only have about 4000 miles on the engine.
Gas In Oil
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I would be concerned about blow bye if you’re getting gas in the oil. Is there any metal in the oil? Any signs of a misfire? Any codes? Could be worth a drive to the dealership if it’s under warranty still!
No metal in the oil. No misfires. No codes. Seems to run fine. Dealership may be next option.
Then in that case the injector concern “That Guy” said. If you have an injector leaking it will bleed off the pressure or even allow the pressure to leak prior to start and between pulses. This will dump fuel into the piston outside of its firing timing and leak around the piston rings into the oil. My Duramax had the same problem and when I drained the oil I had and “extra” 2 quarts of oil, which was actually diesel drain out. That’s why he said check if it’s over full.
I got it. Thanks
Gas is not a lubricant & as you have noted the oil is thinned out so what is this mixture doing to the engine bearings, piston rings, cylinder walls, etc. Call the Dealer and talk to the Svc Mgr. Consider having your car flatbedded to the dealer so you don't have to run the motor any more. Like others have commented, it might just be an injector but diluted oil is not good and you know what can happen with a large amount of gas vapors in a confined space.
Best!
Would have to be a lot of gas in the oil to make it "thin". Just hot oil is "thin".
The engine oil can collect a bit of raw gasoline at cold engine start. This is normal. It doesn't take much oil in the gas and with the oil hot to really have a strong gas odor. The flip side is the gas turns into a vapor at a relatively low temperature and the gas "boils" out of the oil and is removed from the crankcase by the crankcase ventilation system so there is no build up of gas in the oil.
More reliable signs of gas in the oil is a lower than normal oil pressure. It is important to establish a baseline oil pressure at a given temperature. I use 212F as this is the temperature at which the high temperature viscosity index is measured.
Also smoking from the exhaust pipe. And the odor of gasoline while the engine is running.
A high oil level and a strong (strong!) odor of gas from the dipstick or better yet from the valve cover oil fill hole.
Also an oil analysis can detect gasoline in oil. Some is allowed. A max could be 2% but generally it would be less than this less than 1%. But what is normal varies depending upon the engine but an oil analysis lab probably has a base line for the engine in your car.
The engine oil can collect a bit of raw gasoline at cold engine start. This is normal. It doesn't take much oil in the gas and with the oil hot to really have a strong gas odor. The flip side is the gas turns into a vapor at a relatively low temperature and the gas "boils" out of the oil and is removed from the crankcase by the crankcase ventilation system so there is no build up of gas in the oil.
More reliable signs of gas in the oil is a lower than normal oil pressure. It is important to establish a baseline oil pressure at a given temperature. I use 212F as this is the temperature at which the high temperature viscosity index is measured.
Also smoking from the exhaust pipe. And the odor of gasoline while the engine is running.
A high oil level and a strong (strong!) odor of gas from the dipstick or better yet from the valve cover oil fill hole.
Also an oil analysis can detect gasoline in oil. Some is allowed. A max could be 2% but generally it would be less than this less than 1%. But what is normal varies depending upon the engine but an oil analysis lab probably has a base line for the engine in your car.
If the oil level is correct, I would not be so worried about driving 10mi to the dealer, but NOT at WOT!
Edit: Added "NOT", sorry for the confusing the issue!
Thanks for the response! I have been trying to hunt down an exhaust leak because when stopped at a light, I am smelling what I thought was exhaust fumes. I am experiencing burning eyes too. Lifted the car, tightened all connections and could find any obvious leaks. It’s kinda difficult to discern if I am smelling fuel as well, so I smelled the oil, and noticed a strong gas smell. Engine cold. I have noticed when the engine is running, there is a fairly strong gas odor from the tailpipe, but no smoke. Smells like a dragster at the strip. I’ll double check the oil pressure and go from there. It’s possible whoever owned this car before me put a tune on it, and it might be tuned too rich. I’m considering taking it to the dealership, but that’s something I hate doing. Thanks for any suggestions.
The boiling point for gasoline is around 185 degrees. If the gas in the oil was boiling off you may see vapor or smoke coming from the oil fill when you remove the cap with the engine running. If your getting blow bye that will also cause a faint smoke from the oil fill with the cap removed. Yes the crank case should remove any vapors from itself, but that’s under normal conditions. If it’s burning gas in the oil too it can exceed the ability of the crank case vent.
If your smelling exhaust and gas under normal conditions I would bet there is something wrong. This could be excessive venting of the crank case pulling the fumes as the gas burns off. Also if your smelling gas in the oil with a cold motor you may possibly have a leaking injector. Is there a tune on the car? If so the fuel tables may be way too rich at cold start and low RPM. Does the car bog down at all at stops or idle?
I’m still leaning on a leaking injector.
If it’s that strong of a smell, could be worth draining the oil and see how much comes out. If it’s more than you put in(even a 1/4 quart) then you have a(possibly multiple) leaking injector.
If your smelling exhaust and gas under normal conditions I would bet there is something wrong. This could be excessive venting of the crank case pulling the fumes as the gas burns off. Also if your smelling gas in the oil with a cold motor you may possibly have a leaking injector. Is there a tune on the car? If so the fuel tables may be way too rich at cold start and low RPM. Does the car bog down at all at stops or idle?
I’m still leaning on a leaking injector.
If it’s that strong of a smell, could be worth draining the oil and see how much comes out. If it’s more than you put in(even a 1/4 quart) then you have a(possibly multiple) leaking injector.
I’m not sure if there is a tune on the car. I’ve had it for a little over a week. Is there an easy way to find out if it has a tune without the dealership?
Not with out a tuner.
My AFR gauge reads a steady 13 at idle. Seems to be within normal range..
Could be a good time to drain your oil and see how much comes out. If its at all more than you put in then I would fill her back up. If it’s under warranty then take it to the dealership and take the oil you drained with you. If not, get HP tuners and read injector rates.
Found this in my crate motor and was not sure why. Yet to start it.
Let me know what you find.
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