2002 Cabin Air Filter replaced and oil odor evident in cabin

[KSRedEye]

Ford dealer replaced the cabin air filter at my request at last oil change.

Since then I am intermittently smelling hot engine/hot motor oil odor inside the car. I'm sure it's not normal .

Dealer is unconcerned and will never see me again. He also broke a hub cap and I lost it somewhere. $138 to replace from salvage yard.

Anyway, has anyone experienced the odor issue and been able to resolve it?

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[tbird.blue]

Ford dealer replaced the cabin air filter at my request at last oil change.

Since then I am intermittently smelling hot engine/hot motor oil odor inside the car. I'm sure it's not normal .

Dealer is unconcerned and will never see me again. He also broke a hub cap and I lost it somewhere. $138 to replace from salvage yard.

Anyway, has anyone experienced the odor issue and been able to resolve it?

Maybe the 'mechanic' that did the oil change had oily hands when he changed the cabin filter? Check the oil filter and drain plug are tightened up properly also.
Ian

 

[biddle]

last oil change.

Since then I am intermittently smelling hot engine/hot motor oil odor inside

Chances are, they spilled oil during the oil change. How many miles to you drive per week? It will burn off after a while.

 

[mjhlosgatos]

Something else to watch out for after your service work- to replace the cabin air filter a black plastic cowl located inside the engine compartment and just in front of the windshield has to be removed. That cowl is held to the firewall by a number of black plastic snap fasteners. They become brittle with age. Several may have broken during removal. If not properly replaced and tightened moving air can get under that cowl while driving at freeway speeds. The result is a loud growling noise inside the car.

 

[jjfro]

Ford dealer replaced the cabin air filter at my request at last oil change.

Since then I am intermittently smelling hot engine/hot motor oil odor inside the car. I'm sure it's not normal .

Dealer is unconcerned and will never see me again. He also broke a hub cap and I lost it somewhere. $138 to replace from salvage yard.

Anyway, has anyone experienced the odor issue and been able to resolve it?

Mine had an intermittent burning oil smell, turned out to be a leaking passenger side valve cover gasket.

 

[Randy M]

Mine had an intermittent burning oil smell, turned out to be a leaking passenger side valve cover gasket.

I have also had leaky valve cover gaskets twice over the past 16 years of ownership. Replaced gaskets and both times the oil smell went away.

Of course the smell was never evident when the top/windows were down, which is the way I normally run the car.