mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 15:22
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - Jon P

The car is a '96 MX5 Monaco - that's a 90bhp 1.6. Mileage coming up to 120,000. On fresh oil and none used between services.

With a hot engine, I am occasionally experiencing a dirty, slightly oily smell entering the interior of the car. Only noticed at lower speeds and usually immediately after rounding a tight bend or tackling a roundabout. The smell lasts for a second or so.

The car is kept well-maintained and bog standard except for a K&N air filter. Any ideas? Thanks in anticipation.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 16:12
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - Oli rag

Gearbox oil tends to be smelly, maybe it has a leak.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 18:22
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - Jon P

Gear oil was changed around 5,000 miles ago. Garage floor is still clean, so not sure that it would be a leak. However, I will check underneath the car ASAP - it could be that one of the oils is surging as I turn - it does seem to occur after the car has made a sharpish right turn.

I was wondering if there was a breather pipe which could become compromised in some way, ie if it became blocked, it would not vent in the normal way. Does this ring a bell, anyone? Cheers.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 18:40
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - RT
Only noticed at lower speeds and usually immediately after rounding a tight bend or tackling a roundabout. The smell lasts for a second or so.

From that, I'd suggest a minor oil leak from a gasket that's dripping onto the exhaust - so it only happens on bends and burns off leaving no trace!

Look at components above, directly and at an angle, from the exhaust system.

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Sun 24 Jun 2012 03:43
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - 1litregolfeater

Replace the KN with the standard airbox

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Sat 28 Jul 2012 21:40
mazda mx5 mk1 - oily fumes/smell - Jon P

Courtesy update.

Eagle-eyed motor engineer spotted a large grommet which had become displaced from the bulkhead in line with the passenger footwell.

All smells now confined to the engine bay. I can live with that. Cheers.

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