Hot/Burning smell

[Matt Courtright]

So for the last year, I have noticed a hot/burning smell under the hood. I started my truck after sitting a few days, and it seemed a little worse. There was a very light smoke coming from the drivers side wheel well. I moved my truck and noticed it coming from under the hood. The smell and smoke seem to be coming from around the base of the oil dipstick. There was a substance that leaked out in the area. Any idea what would be causing this? I took some pics, but I have no idea how to post them.

 

[Richard L]

Dip stick tubes are removable and often have little "O-ring" seals. They are also prone to rust on some vehicles. You probably need to check the dip stick tube and seals, as well as other places for oil leaks.



...Rich

 

[Brad H]

If its a 1st gen sport trac, check the pcv valve on the back of the drivers side valve cover. I thought my oil pan was leaking when found oil on the bottom part of my pan. Come to find out the seal was broken due to a plugged and backed out pcv valve. Oil ran out around the pcv and down the side of my engine for months...smells horrible when its burning off a hot engine. Cost me less than ten bucks for a new valve and an hour's worth of time to fix it.happy hunting!

 

[Matt Courtright]

Awesome, thanks for the quick replies! Hopefully it is just a quick fix.