Hi guys! Looking for some advice here please as I've recently had a strong smell of burning oil coming from my WRX. It has happened twice but clears again quite quickly. I can't see any obvious oil leak (no dripping) but it does look slightly black around part of the turbo. I've recently done quite a lot of motorway miles so the turbo has had some consistent use.

Do any of you know what this might be so I have some starting points before I head to the garage?

Cheers!

 

O/S rocker gasket is common. Leaks onto the up-pipe and burns away. Hence the smell and no oil puddles on the floor

 

Ok thanks. If it is the off side rocker gasket do you have any idea how big a job it is to fix?

 

Or drops onto the outlet manifold/headers

 

Its not to bigger job at all if thats the issue.

 

Thanks. I've just had another look and there seems to be some thick black oil around where "I think" the off side rocker gasket is (I'm no mechanic though).
Is it safe to drive like this gently for a while, keeping an eye on oil levels?

 

Yes shouldnt be a problem. Just a bit smelly sometimes

 

Just wanted to say it turns out it's leaking through the oil separator gasket just above the rocker cover which seems to be ok.

Thanks for the help