Hello, my daughter is driving my hand-me-down 2010 Prius. Recently I realized there is a burnt oil smell when she parks in the garage. When I told her about it she says she can occasionally smell it inside the car, too. It has 115,000 miles and has not had the EGR cooler cleaned or replaced yet. Also, the oil level on the dipstick is slightly over the max line and It's been several months since the most recent oil change. I've scanned EGR posts and comments and haven't noticed comments about smelling burnt oil. Did I miss that, or is there another common reason why there would be a burnt oil smell? Remember, the oil level is still over the max fill line on the dipstick. Thank you!
What you want to do here is look for blow by on the timing tensioner doodad that sticks out beside the timing cover or the oil pressure switch any of that stuff attached to the timing cover tends to break their hermetic seal whether it's a tensioner or the oil pressure switch for the light whatever you'll see the oil build up on the cover and all that if you looking it's there looks like a vapor with dust in it been summertime or whenever the air conditioning compressor is running will cause the ice engine to run and if you're burning oil I guess some of that smell could be coming through the floor of the trunk and whatnot that being a new smell would be very noticeable.
Take the silver plastic engine cover off and us a flash light to check for leaks. Looking at the engine, on the back left side, behind the engine is the oil pressure switch. That is a common item for a leak. It will go everywhere! The valve cover gasket could also be leaking.
ASRDogman, thank you. There was definitely oil around the oil pressure switch. Valve cover gasket seemed in good shape. Thanks again!
It's a little tricky to get to the oil pressure switch, but it is doable. You might have to buy a special socket to remove and install it, but still less costly than paying someone to do it. You can gunk down the engine and wash it off really well before changing it, then let it dry. Then you can check it after a drive and see if it was the leak.
I would have bet timing chain cover gasket - but either way I'm glad you identified the source. I always DIY my oil changes, but I understand this is not practicable for others. My usual mantra applies: 500 mile OCI (oil CHECK interval) - that's a good habit to get the kid into, especially if you're a girl-dad. 5000 mile OCI (oil CHANGE intervals) for Priuses - especially if they or their drivers are teenagers. You're going to want to look into the EGR... Good Luck!
