If it is a knackered piston ring does it smell like burned oil?
The smell seems to originate from from an area above the bank of cylinders nearest to the passenger, only when the car has been driven relatively hard.
I cannot perceive any change in the engine's performance.
No oil consumed yet but I assume that this will show after a few thousand miles.

[Edited by dmel - 2/16/2002 4:03:11 PM]

 

Do a search , recently covered under funny smells ,could be a leaking rocker cover gasket , oil can drip on to hot exhaust giving a nasty smell worth checking

 

Power steering fluid?

 

If you have over filled your oil after a service.. thats your prob

 

Cheers for the replies guys.
The oil level is exactly (or perhaps 1mm above) the second (upper) hole of the dipstick. I assume this is OK?

 

It will be a seal oil leak onto the exhaust somewhere, I got this problem on one of my cars as soon as I started using Synthetic oils.

Dan

 

Usually a minor leak on to the exhaust.
Power stearing fluid has a tendancy to do this, it may be an oil leak as you have pointed out.
Get it checked out, but this is usually cause for that type of smell

Cheers
steve