Oil Smells Like Gas
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
Oil Smells Like Gas
Hey y’all,
I have a 1999 Corvette 5.7.
Today while driving, I had a low oil level message come up on the dash. I stopped at AutoZone to grab oil to at least make it to the shop. I pulled the dip stick out to check the level and observed a little bit of white smoke coming from the stick. I then removed the oil reservoir cap and noticed a little more smoke. I could smell fuel on the oil cap and the rag I wiped the oil on. Needless to say it’s at the shop now, but was curious if anyone else has experienced this.
What is it?
Is it a common issue with this car?
is it expensive to fix?
Any information is appreciated!
Thank you ahead of time!
-Alex
I have a 1999 Corvette 5.7.
Today while driving, I had a low oil level message come up on the dash. I stopped at AutoZone to grab oil to at least make it to the shop. I pulled the dip stick out to check the level and observed a little bit of white smoke coming from the stick. I then removed the oil reservoir cap and noticed a little more smoke. I could smell fuel on the oil cap and the rag I wiped the oil on. Needless to say it’s at the shop now, but was curious if anyone else has experienced this.
What is it?
Is it a common issue with this car?
is it expensive to fix?
Any information is appreciated!
Thank you ahead of time!
-Alex
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
I don't think that was a low oil level but low oil pressure. Gas in oil reduces viscosity. It will kill your bearing. Fuel can get into oil by things like stuck injector. You need to change oil before you run it anymore.
Last edited by juanvaldez; Oct 17, 2017 at 09:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
The level was slightly low, but I didn’t think it was enough to make a light come on. The car has 72,000 miles. I just bought it about a month ago, so I’m fairly new to the car. If an injector is clogged does it need to be replaced, or does it just need to be flushed and an oil change.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
change your oil and filter. Could just be condensation in oil...
short trips, or even not changing the oil enough will cause this.
You need to change your filters and fluids to get a baseline on your "new" car
short trips, or even not changing the oil enough will cause this.
You need to change your filters and fluids to get a baseline on your "new" car
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
The level was slightly low, but I didn’t think it was enough to make a light come on. The car has 72,000 miles. I just bought it about a month ago, so I’m fairly new to the car. If an injector is clogged does it need to be replaced, or does it just need to be flushed and an oil change.
Drifting
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 126
From: LOS ANGELES CA
Send your old oil to Blackstone labs and get an OA. Take the sample mid stream. I usually have like 4% fuel in my oil. I beat on my car sometimes. Ask them to do fuel by gas chromatography. (GC fuel method) ICP results will tell you if you have ring wear which can contribute to your fuel dilution. Actually it will tell you a hell of a lot of things. I never used Blackstone before, but i did work in a private lab with the ability to test such things.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
