my boyfriends car is a 2000 ford focus se. it is a salvaged car that was repaired and was sold to him %26quot;as is%26quot; it runs..and gets him from point a to point b. but he noticed yesterday that when the heat or a/c is turned on (mostly the heater though), it smells like an oil smell, or even kerosene. sorry hard to describe exact smell. and that smell will keep pumping out of the vents until the heater is turned off. winter is approaching and i want to make sure that his heater will be working properly. is this a major concern? if so, how much will it cost to get fixed? and also..he is overdue for an oil change...like 3,000 miles overdue. he is actually going tomoro. is it doing that because he hasnt gone for an oil change? please help
thanksWhen heater is turned on...oil smell or gas smell comes through vents?
Not changing the oil wont cause a burning smell coming through the vents, it sounds like there is an oil leak somewhere, and it it flicking up possibly from the auxillary drive belt or driveshaft, onto the exhaust system or the leaking oil could be dripping onto the exhaust manifold/heat shield, then the smoke from that is being blown into the car.
try just turning the ignition on (dont start the engine) and put the heaters on (they wont pump out hot air as the engine is not running), if it doesnt smell, then there more likely going to be an oil leak.
i think the pollen filter requires changing after the problem has been fixed.When heater is turned on...oil smell or gas smell comes through vents?
Best guess would be that the seal around the airbox in the engine compartment (where the heater hoses enter) is bad and moving odors from the engine compartment to the interior of the car. This box is where the circulation fan is located also so it will be moving air from this area for both heat and A/C. Yes, it could be a huge problem since it could circulate carbon monoxide into the interior from exhaust leaks, etc. Get it fixed ASAP.When heater is turned on...oil smell or gas smell comes through vents?
The most likely concern is an oil leak which is burning off the exhaust components under the hood. He should have it checked out because this could be a nuisance at best and a fire hazard at worst.When heater is turned on...oil smell or gas smell comes through vents?
Sound or smell like you have a leak under the hood.
Yes this is a major concern.
