Fresh oil change - dipstick smells like exhaust

[ragtophardtop]

I'm checking out a car with 20k miles, about 6 years old, with serious intent to buy. The oil has, of course, been freshly changed, but what should it smell like once it's hot?

When I smelled the hot oil on the dipstick, I got a strong sense of exhaust fumes. The car isn't smoking and there aren't any smells in the cabin.

 

[Mr Nice]

That's normal.

 

[AZjeff]

Is the make/model a secret? We ain't going to buy it out from under you!

Super-low mile cars always a good find.

 

[ragtophardtop]

It's a miata

I didn't exclude to hide it from you, but just thought it's a general question that I'm applying to other cars too.

 

[CT8]

Is the engine full of sludge?

 

[Kira]

My neighbor has a "first year" Miata in red. He doesn't drive it anymore. I wonder if he wants to sell it. Kira

 

[ragtophardtop]

No, the oil is fresh and clean. I have the history on the car and know the former owner (it's at a dealership), so I'm quite confident it's in good shape.

I'm sharpening my car knowledge from a buyer's perspective and learning to spot problem issues. I just never put my nose to a hot dipstick before and was surprised to smell exhaust.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: ragtophardtop
No, the oil is fresh and clean. I have the history on the car and know the former owner (it's at a dealership), so I'm quite confident it's in good shape.

I'm sharpening my car knowledge from a buyer's perspective and learning to spot problem issues. I just never put my nose to a hot dipstick before and was surprised to smell exhaust.

I am not sure whether that engine is DI. If it is DI< it is sulfur in gas that ends up in oil.

 

[ragtophardtop]

Originally Posted By: edyvw

I am not sure whether that engine is DI. If it is DI< it is sulfur in gas that ends up in oil.


From the brochure:

Engine Type
167-hp†, MZR 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT)

Fuel system
Multiport electronic fuel injection with tuned air intake
Electronically controlled port fuel injection
Ignition system/fuel system
Distributorless electronic/multiport fuel injection

 

[OneEyeJack]

How close were you standing to the car when you noticed the smell?

 

[john_pifer]

Normal.

Gases that are byproducts of combustion are present in the crankcase. That's what you're smelling.

 

[ragtophardtop]

Thanks, good to know.

 

[BrocLuno]

If it looks good and runs well, BUY IT

Oil smells can vary by brand/base stocks/add packs and by engine topology... Sounds normal to me ...