fuel smell in oil

[Kev0607]

All engines have slight blow-by, gasses that escape past the piston rings and flow into the crankcase where they mix with the oil. When you start your engine cold, the computer commands a rich mixture and some of that fuel doesn't burn and ends up in the crankcase.

If you drive short trips and never get the engine hot enough to evaporate that fuel, you end up with a petrol smell in your oil.

Although, petrol in the oil isn’t good. Your engine needs lubrication that only the oil can give.

Needs a service (oil change) and a good drive. That’s the cheapest option at first. If it still smells like petrol after new oil and a decent spin, something else is wrong. Likely injectors, which can’t be tested by simply looking at them.

[nokinnikon]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

All engines have slight blow-by, gasses that escape past the piston rings and flow into the crankcase where they mix with the oil. When you start your engine cold, the computer commands a rich mixture and some of that fuel doesn't burn and ends up in the crankcase.

If you drive short trips and never get the engine hot enough to evaporate that fuel, you end up with a petrol smell in your oil.

Although, petrol in the oil isn’t good. Your engine needs lubrication that only the oil can give.

Needs a service (oil change) and a good drive. That’s the cheapest option at first. If it still smells like petrol after new oil and a decent spin, something else is wrong. Likely injectors, which can’t be tested by simply looking at them.

Absolutely the correct answer kev.

no regular short journeys are good for a any vehicle. You really need to go and blow the cobwebs out it will cost you in the long run otherwise.

[loelly]

If oil level was to high befor, it is also possible they did not overfill but fuel came in the oil and the level got higher. So oil + fuel gave an inch overfill and not only the oil. If so have it checked again after the service now.If level go up again there i a big problem that need to get fixed soon.

[jackson74]

just got a call from the garage.. it was a the broken thermostat, tricking the engine thinking it was running cold all the time and using extra fuel hence the smell in the oil, so all is well again and no major engine problem phew!

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by jackson74

just got a call from the garage.. it was a the broken thermostat, tricking the engine thinking it was running cold all the time and using extra fuel hence the smell in the oil, so all is well again and no major engine problem phew!

Good result. Which specialist did you use?

Are you having the timing belt replaced?

[jackson74]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Good result. Which specialist did you use?

Are you having the timing belt replaced?

It was Trevor Burgess in Hyde, and must say very happy with there customer service and keeping me informed, i can't speak highly enough of them.

yeah initially that's why i took my car in to get a new timing belt and pulley as it was due a new belt, plus it was making an constant/intermittent noise which is common on my model and its because of the pulley which causes that noise.
I will add that within seconds of me pulling up into the car park the mechanic came out and without me asking he told me what was wrong with it lol