Hi all, Just found this excellent forum so thought I'd try my luck with a strange problem!

I own a 2016 Forester XT which I've had for about 18 months. Overall I've mixed thoughts on the car..it's my first Subaru and the newest car I've owned but had quite a few little issues.

Anyway a problem I've had all along is a really strong smell coming into the cabin when the car is at a stop and engine idling,  (fully warmed up).

Difficult to describe but it just smells like 'engine smell' like a kind of warm oil. Not particularly like exhaust fumes, fuel or coolant. Car still under warranty still so took to a dealer who said they couldn't even smell it (of course), They said they put carbon monoxide monitor in there and picked nothing up.

But everyone who goes in the car agrees it really stinks and I'm worried what we're breathing.

FWIW the car seems to run fine and engine idles fine. No warning lights etc. Car was serviced a few months ago, got new cabin and air filters which made no difference.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any help at all.

 

Maybe a small oil drip that's landing on the exhaust ....valve cover gasket leak etc. 

Thanks very much for the advice Brack. Must admit I've tried to crawl underneath and have a look for that sort of thing but difficult.

Might take to the local garage get it up on ramps.

Cheers

 

Sounds a good plan, let us know how you get on bud 🙂    

yup as above sounds like a very small leak dripping on something hot

Thanks Jay, I'll keep you posted when it's been up on a ramp.

If engine oil, must be a ver small leak as you say because it's not losing oil.

I read on a US forum that a split CV boot can throw grease onto exhaust too on these cars.

 

19 hours ago, Muckytyke said:

Thanks Jay, I'll keep you posted when it's been up on a ramp.

If engine oil, must be a ver small leak as you say because it's not losing oil.

I read on a US forum that a split CV boot can throw grease onto exhaust too on these cars.

 

It can for the inner one, the outer ones I have had split only throw it more up the inside of the wheel

Could be trans fluid dripping on the exhaust, very tricky to locate but plausible

On 2/5/2020 at 10:22 PM, Muckytyke said:

Thanks Jay, I'll keep you posted when it's been up on a ramp.

If engine oil, must be a ver small leak as you say because it's not losing oil.

I read on a US forum that a split CV boot can throw grease onto exhaust too on these cars.

 

Hi there, did you manage to find out what caused this? I have the exact same problem on my 2014 Subaru Forester XT.