I have a 98 RS in great condition that I purchased. Occasionally when driving and running it hard (sometimes) I get a smell that flows back thru the car that smells like oil burning on the manifold. Sometimes I dont get it. I just recently had it turned by the dealer and they said that it was a solid car. It doesnt burn, leak or drip oil. It acts like a stuck PVC valve when you get blow back burn oil smell inside the compartment. The smell is not very strong but noticable. Any suggestions?

I had the same prob. Ended up being the ever popular drivers side rear headgasket leak. What was happening was the oil would leak down onto the exhaust and burn.

thanks...I'll look for it and fix it.

Headgasket or valve cover gasket?

Originally posted by silvershadow
Headgasket or valve cover gasket?

Valve cover gasket wouldn't cause oil burning. Headgasket, bad rings, valve seals, etc. Would cause it.

Make sure you always check your oil level to make sure there is enough oil, back when I was burning oil, it would eat it like hell. I had to fill up every week just like gas... It ended up being my valve guides. I had a crap load of blue smoke though.