Odors
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 218
Odors
2008 Z51 manual C6 here. After some time on the road, I feel like I smell gear oil. Definitely could simply be exhaust, brakes or anything else. It’s not overpowering but I figured I’d ask.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
You need to do some checking in the engine bay & underneath. If the odor occurs after the engine heats up fully, there may be a leak somewhere that's smoking on the hot engine or trans. Best is to raise on jackstands or "borrow" a lift so you can fully search from the underside.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 27
Likes: 13
I get the same.... mine is a valve cover that's leaking a few drops of oil onto hot headers. I haven't noticed a drop in oil level after monitoring it for a few thousand miles so I'm not worried about it. Also made worse because the cabin air filter door is messed up on my car.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 542
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I doubt that you are smelling gear oil. That stuff stinks to high heaven. You will not mistake it for exhaust or brake smell.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 218
Exhaust Leak
I conducted the shop vac, soapy water exhaust leak test. I found a leak at one tail pipe connection(secured with oem clamp) including some soot. It looks like a small hole around the seal between the two pipes. Also, the exhaust tip/pipe connection and exterior NPP nut/pivot leaks some exhaust.. Doesn’t leak at idle. Pressure probably not high enough.
Last edited by Dreamer2; Jun 6, 2023 at 02:31 PM.
