Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


1996 Suburban I need someone with lots of knowledge!!!


1993Suburban
10-16-2007, 12:34 AM
Ok folks, i need to know if im going insane. 1996 Suburban, 5.7 liter, Half ton, auto, 4X4. My problem is that occasionally my engine seems to get a little too warm on the top, and it smells like really hot oil. Just a nasty smell. And other times it is perfectly fine. I just dont get it. It NEVER over heats, my oil pressure is always good, and it doesnt burn oil. My friend suggested to me that there might be some crud in the oil cooling system (oil cooler lines, oil cooler in radiator, oil filter) that will block the flow. This seems logical to me, but i just dont know. Recent work on the engine includes getting the cylinder heads remachined, and new fuel injectors. I will start with the obvious and easy by changing the oil filter. I changed the oil and filter a couple months ago, not near time for a new filter yet but i ran a can of seafoam through my crankcase and drained and refilled my oil a couple times without changing the filter. I just dont get it the vehicle runs great, however I notice when it makes this smell that it runs a tad bit on the rough side, but not at all close to bad. Anyway I dont know if i am losing my mind or not, I drove it to work today and it smelt like hot oil when i parked it, i could smell it right when i opened the door, and when i got out to check it after driving home from work it was absolutely perfect. ANY help is very much appreciated and needed right now. Thank you in advance!

777stickman
10-16-2007, 10:00 AM
Check the PCV system to insure the crankcase is venting properly.

I thought that SeaFoam was a top end thing only??

J-Ri
10-16-2007, 03:42 PM
Is there oil on/around the EGR pipe? Maybe burning off at times, if the EGR is on at idle, that would explain the running rough. If that's not it, I would wash the entire engine and see it that gets rid of it.

Sea Foam can be used in the gas tank, air intake, or crankcase.

1993Suburban
10-18-2007, 01:25 AM
Ok well I think i figured it out. I went ahead and did an oil and filter change with a new AC-Delco filter. (I've had much better luck replacing stuff on this truck with Delco stuff) After doing this it still smelled, but not as bad. Also my distributor was way off (cap was twisted too far clockwise and would miss and throw p1345) when i ressurected the vehicle from the previous owners backyard, and i adjusted it to what i thought was right. However even after this i wanted to get it on the tech-2 scanner and make it right. Turns out the distributor was off about -8 degrees. They adjusted it to where it should be, and i immediatly noticed the difference in the way the engine ran. Smooth as glass. I also asked the technician what he thought about the smell. He said it was "probably residual from having engine work done on it, or from the timing being off". I ran around all day on errands, I thought i could still smell it just a bit at first but it got to where i couldnt smell a thing. I pulled it in my garage and finally it didnt make my garage smell like crap! Hallejuia!!! Hopefully it stays that way too. Thanks to all who help, and also, where could I find a set of good AC-Delco plug wires for a 1996 5.7 liter Vortec?

Add your comment to this topic!