hey all,
i recently started getting a smell of burnt/used oil through the heat after the car warms up and i come to a stop. dont get it at all while moving. i'm not noticing any more oil loss than normal (02 SE-about 1-2qts per 4k miles). i dont really smell it under the hood though.

anyone have any thoughts?

thanks!

leaking valve covers?

Very common problem that is most likely the result of your rear valve cover.

You can replace it (use a 6th gen valve cover- it's cheaper and superior) or monitor your oil consumption.

thats what i was hoping (well, not really) to hear, considering the alternatives. this is a pending upgrade i need to complete.

thanks all.

I've been loosing oil since I bought the car 3 years ago, but only recently have been getting the oil smell, also. Glad to hear it's fixable, though that sounds like a pretty big job. Will have to get the procedure through this site or from my Haynes (which isn't nearly as good as the one for my '87 Sentra was).

... guess I might as well change the rear plugs as well, since I'll be in there. - ?

Maxima valve covers are the reason i'm switching to a 4 cylinder when my 5th gen dies. I swear that's the most PITA job i've done to the car, and i've done it twice. It's not overly hard but time consuming if this is your first. time. That's why mechanics charge so much for it. make sure you seal them correctly or you'll be doing it again sooner than you expected.