Burning Smell, Smoke, Oil leak?

[KingTriEye]

So this probably started 3 weeks ago. I was at a red light and smelled what i thought was burning oil. Didn't think anything of it as it's a fairly new low mileage 2023 (22K on it, 3.6L). Since then i would get the smell more and more so it wasn't a coincidence. Didn't see anything obvious under the hood, and didn't see any smoke.

Fast forward to this morning and i got a strong smell of something burning (oil or rubber), while stopped in a drop off line for the kids school. This evening i finally saw smoke coming from the front throuhg the grill (see video). I noticed some seepage around the VVL Solenoid but it doesn't seem to be dripping anywhere or producing smoke. Addtionally i noticed there is build up on the hood prop which seemed odd. no stains in the driveway so curious if anyone has thoughts of what to expect before i take it to the dealer. Should all still be under warranty (was bought as a leftover in 2024). My buddy thought maybe it's the transmission lines?

i think i'm starting to get the tic noise in the engine as well. you can hear that in the video.

Sponsored

 

[azmojave]

Do you have any drips? Check the oil filter housing. It’s plastic and sometimes they crack if over tightened or the seals go bad. That’s my first thought.

 

[bleda2002]

Valve cover gaskets also go on these some times. Check the corners behind the fenders that's the usual drip spot, also can check your pcv which is on the passenger side. Both of those make a lot of burning smell as they drip right on the exhaust

 

[Splenda]

I'm watching this thread. My 2024 with 12k miles has a slight burning smell sometimes, but it smells more like hot plastic. Maybe the grease from my front driveshaft boot is burning off? I just got rid of a stinkbug infestation under my bed mat.

 

[KingTriEye]

Valve cover gaskets also go on these some times. Check the corners behind the fenders that's the usual drip spot, also can check your pcv which is on the passenger side. Both of those make a lot of burning smell as they drip right on the exhaust

That's a great call out on the PCV, i didn't even think to check that. But with the hood open, would the smoke still get pulled to the front and exit out the grill?

Do you have any drips? Check the oil filter housing. It’s plastic and sometimes they crack if over tightened or the seals go bad. That’s my first thought.

Honestly on the top side i couldn't see anything "dripping", but again hopefulyl getting under there today or tomorrow to verfiy. my guess is if it's hitting the exhaust, it's burning off before it hits the bottom hence the smell.

I didn't see any dripping or cracks around the filter housing, and other than some spillage the filler looked fine as well (no visible pooling anywhere). Trying to get in monday to have the dealer scratch their head for a week while they "diagnose". With all the rain the past couple of days, i haven't had a chance to climb underneath to see if there's saturation there eithier.

Rather get this solved now than out on the trails at the upcomming jamborees.

 

[KingTriEye]

drooped it off at jeep this morning. Let’s see what they say. I did take a deeper look this weekend. The pvc looks to be saturated as well. I imagine it would only be a matter of time before I start getting a CEL on. I’ll keep the post updated

 

[KingTriEye]

Update #1 - they'd like to put in spark plugs and a new pcv valve based on mileage.... it has 22K on it. "Hmmmm, our computer must be malfunctioning because when we plug it in, it shows 99K"

 

[KingTriEye]

Alright final diagnosis, tech confirmed leakage around the VVT seals and seonsors on the passenger side. Replaced both the camshaft sensor seals, and VVL seals. no explanation as to what caused the failure. Just another fun day. IT was under warranty so nothing out of pocket. Just another thing to keep an eye on.

 

[Stan H]

Alright final diagnosis, tech confirmed leakage around the VVT seals and seonsors on the passenger side. Replaced both the camshaft sensor seals, and VVL seals. no explanation as to what caused the failure. Just another fun day. IT was under warranty so nothing out of pocket. Just another thing to keep an eye on.

I replaced those seals the VVT sensors turn hard as flint as do the camshaft sensors seals. Once they are hardened and shrunk they leak. Those VVT seals was like 15.00 and camshaft seals cheap also .

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Shoulda just slapped a “No Smoking” placard on there and wheeled it.

(Joking!! Don’t do that!!)

 

[jeepdan]

My 2020 is going into the dealer's shop for this repair.
During the WV state safety inspection performed at the dealer, the mechanic found several of them leaking oil.
Just reached 47,000 miles.
Dealer is replacing the seals under their "lifetime" power train warranty.

Sponsored