Weird smell
 

so i got my car back from the repair shop, and when i got home i smelled a pretty strong burning smell coming from the engine bay.

the repair shop did drive it to a subaru dealership to replace a window motor, and then took it to a place to get film on, then back to the body shop. probably less than 20km total of driving for them.

i checked the oil and it appears to be pretty low, it’s not even filling the bottom hole of the oil stick.

i did change my oil right before my road trip which was a 7000km trip. a few hundred of those was spirited driving, probably like 4000km was in 35+ degree heat.

i have an oil change appointment next Monday, and i have to drive about 25km to get there. should i add a bit of oil in or should i leave it until then?

i checked the cam plate and didn’t see any oil leaks.

i imagine non of the people handling my car would have messed it up in that short time frame.

i have no idea what the smell was. could it be something burning off from the bodyshop? does low/dirty oil make a smell? i would imagine if it got that bad my oil light would come on.

@Tcoat
@Ultramaroon
@humfrz

you guys always have an answer lol

What kind of bodywork did they do? If they created any dust it could just be that burning off the exhaust.

paint match front right fender
film on the front right fender
cut weld the rear right quarter by the small window
new passenger door panel
new motor for the window
repaint

OK almost guarantee it is just dust/light overspray from the body work then. Should go away pretty quick once driven a bit.

thank you

it was pretty damn strong so i was a bit concerned

can always rely on Flanders

I had the same after they had to do my quarter panel. Smelled for a couple of days. it isn't like they mask off the whole underside of the car so some grinding dust and paint overspray gets under there.

+1 Dust gets everywhere.

If you keep smelling it, then I'd start looking around. Replace the cabin filter for good measure.

Yay for being back on the road.


edit: bottom hole just means time to add a quart. Read that as "when you can get around to it." It's fine. You still have over a gallon circulating.

Well, with that much work being done, I reckon the smell is just a temporary by product of the repairs. I wouldn't worry about it unless it persists.

Low/burning oil level shouldn't smell ...... unless the engine is grinding up a bearing .....:sigh: ....... not to worry.

I'd suggest you top off the oil level right away, before driving much further.

Good to have your car back ...... ?? ;)


humfrz

How come @Tcoat and @Ultramaroon are "supposed" to be working ..... and I am retired ..... and THEY can respond quicker ........:iono:


humfrz

We don't get as much nap time.

Yeah, what he said.

^

^^

Oh, ........:sigh:


humfrz

my car looks better than i expected. i looked for any indication of a new panel and i can’t even find a thing.

only thing is the roof is all scratched up, probably from the blanket for welding, which has a ton of fine shards of metal, so i’ll just compound that out myself.

https://imgur.com/a/MGH1R

Looks good as new ...... :thumbsup:


humfrz