MK4 1.2 GT Line EDC, Oil smell in cabin.

[Rxmx_25]

Hello all!

I have a 63 plate Clio GT Line 1.2 EDC. Earlier this year it had a new timing chain installed. Following that there was a persistant oil leak. During this period I constantly travelled back and forth to the mechanics claiming oil leaking, after 3 or 4 trips he diagnosed the issue and and the leak was fixed.

Now there is oil smell coming into the cabin when the air conditioning is turned on, I am aware it could be residual oil being burnt off but it has been almost 4 months since the chain was swapped and almost 2 months since the leak was fixed. I have had the engine bay washed and the smell subsided for a short while. But I can't help but notice the cabin smells of oil when the blowers are turned on. On air-recirc mode there is no smell of oil in cabin. After a drive there is the slight smell of oil outside the car too.

Please let me know if anyone else has faced the same or similar issue, and what the solution was or could be.
Thank you!

 

[Martin_172]

must be either oil leaking somewhere or an oil breather disconnected, I'm not familiar with the 1.2 tce in the mk4 but have a look at the oil breather pipework, see if any are disconnected

 

[Sash]

must be either oil leaking somewhere or an oil breather disconnected, I'm not familiar with the 1.2 tce in the mk4 but have a look at the oil breather pipework, see if any are disconnected

If it’s anything one the 1.6’s the pipe that goes to the PCV valve splits… I have zero idea what the 1.2 engine looks like so 🤷🏼‍♀️

 

[Rxmx_25]

As far as I can see, there’s no fresh oil build up on the top of the engine. Ie rocker cover & gasket. So if there is one it’s probably from the timing chain cover area and then seeping down. I’ve bought a new charcoal activated cabin air filter but I’m resistant of replacing it just yet. I’m also worried about the head gasket, smell of sweet coolant sometimes blows through the vents, though I haven’t checked for milky residue under the oil cap and no white smoke as of yet.

 

[charltjr]

Sounds like a smoke test would be a good idea for the breather system and a pressure test for the coolant system. You’ve got leaks somewhere, even if it’s only vapour.