# Ford Focus - Burnt oil smell

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-focus-burnt-oil-smell/8254>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [December 12, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-focus-burnt-oil-smell/8254 "2007-12-12T03:54:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Whit\_Malone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@Whit\_Malone](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whit_Malone)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-focus-burnt-oil-smell/8254/1 "2007-12-12T03:54:01Z")

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We have a 2001 Ford Focus wagon, When we turn the heater on there is a distinct smell of burnt oil. It is worse when the engine is idling. Ideas?  
  
  
  
 Whit Malone

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 4:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-focus-burnt-oil-smell/8254/2 "2007-12-12T04:00:33Z")

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Most likely you have an oil leak somewhere up front. Oil is dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold and the fumes are blown into the cabin by the blower fan. Find the leak; it may be minor and simple to repair. Let us hope so.

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**Author:** ![Whit\_Malone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@Whit\_Malone](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whit_Malone)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-focus-burnt-oil-smell/8254/3 "2007-12-12T14:11:41Z")

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That’s what I suspected and have noticed drops of oil on the garage floor lately. Thanks!