Iv got a 2004 STI UK, every now and then lately i get a burning smell coming into the cabin when stopped or moving slowly i.e traffic lights or parking, had a look under the bonnet and it seems to be coming from around the power steering area of the engine (bottom left) cant see anything that looks like it might cause it though, werent sure if i was just being stupid and riding the clutch or something! anyone ever had anything similiar. i appreciate im looking for a needle in a hay stack with this one!!

 

Could the smell be a drop of oil from the drivers side rocker cover dripping on to the hot turbo heat shield? Common problem.

 

Or Headers

 

Yeah, cam cover leaks are common, and as said leaks onto you headers.

 

Check for a leak from around your power steering pump.

only reason i say that is cos mine is leaking and gives the same symptoms.

 

thanks for your help guys, i think iv found the problem, seems like oil is dripping from the rocker cover gasket on the drivers side and then dripping onto the exhaust pipe beneath. had her serviced not long ago and the idiots at subaru overfilled the oil by about a litre! so whether the excess pressure caused the leak! they quoted me £35 for new rocker cover gasket, spark plug, gasket and rubber gromet washers
is there anything to watch out for when fitting this new gasket?
any one seen a how to guide or anything for fitting this??

thanks for all your help and advice guys

 

Being pedantic for a minute....

What's with all this talk of headers (are we/ Subarus American? ).

And rocker covers too?! They are perfectly good cam covers with DOHC cams in. After all, it's not some dodgy ol' archaic 70's/80's BL OHV product, is it?! (well, maybe still dodgy ).

LOL

P.S. That said, I'm as bad as the next person for employing this parlence.

 

surely if they caused the leak then they should put it right for FREE.

an oil over fill can cause more problems also. take it back and give them an ear full. I know would.