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Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:44 am

Just got an 02 GTI 1.8 from a dealership last night- when I got to work this morning, I noticed a slight burning smell coming from under the hood. Checked the oil and its overfilled by at least a quart or 2. I know this can cause the frothy oil and leaks and all that but will it cause the smell? I put a piece of cardboard under the car and so far no leaks so is this something else I need to be concerned with?? Also- kind of a dumb question, but is there any way I can tell if the previous owner was running synthetic in this car?
(Planning on changing the oil when I get home by the way. )

Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:02 am

Dude, you just bought it from the dealer... Take it back to the dealer and make them handle that shiz! Without service records it may be hard to figure out what they were running.

Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:10 am

The only service records that I got were from the carfax which Im pretty sure is only warranty related stuff? Other than this problem the car seems to be in pretty good shape...
I didn't want to bring it back to the dealer- I don't know how much I trusted them to even know what was going on with the car considering its run out of a double-wide so thought I'd ask here.

Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:16 am

Double wide dealers are scary... So when you pull the dip stick it's past the top part of the cross hatch? or last dot (depending on dip stick)? If your engine looks super clean and shiny then they may have sprayed the hell out of it and that is what you could be smelling. I would not take it back to that dealer!!! I am sorry that I assumed you bought this from a vw dealership.

Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:29 am

I should've made it clearer. Yeah, no a USED CAR dealership :/
But every VW deserves a 2nd life! :)

Anyway, the oil is to the max line-and then some. Like, a lot some. Didn't look like the engine was doused in oil at all but who knows til you really get in there I guess.
So you think it's possible that even though I don't see any oil dripping it could be causing the smell?

Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:57 am

If you over OVER fill it a light should come on to let you know... You need to be careful because of the sludge issue with these motors. Over filling it can cause that.

Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:25 pm

Overfilling could cause engine damage, not to mention ruining the catalytic converter.

Sounds like they either have no idea how to change oil, or are trying to hide something.

Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:51 am

drain ther oil, refill with 4.5 qts.

the smell is most likely coming from the breather system.

remove the engine cover on top of the engine, look for a split hose, probably in the shape of a Y. they are known to split. (drivers side of the engine, hose coming off valve cover)

eurojet makes a nice silicone replacement.