What causes a distinct oil smell from the exhaust? My car started driving erratically again and everytime it does this, I smell oil. There's no smoke though. I do have a valve tick somewhere on the driver side.

Also, I was wondering about how often trans coolers leak water into the transmission fluid?

 

If you smell oil from out of the exhaust pipes at the back of the car,I'd suggestchecking your PCV valve, and your breather. If the valve sticks open it would suck oil and cause a loss of vacuum (causing a poor running condition). If you smell oil burning off the exhaust under the hood or inside the car, I'd suspect an external oil leak from a valve cover or the oil pressure sender, which would be coincidental to the "erratic running".

I have seen a crack form in the transmission cooler portion of the radiator. Not uncommon. Radiator repair facility can take care of that. I'd highly recommend fixing this problem as soon as possible, then flushing your transmission. Coolant/water causes major issues inside your transmission.

Good luck,

 

Should the PCV fit very snuggly into the gromet on the valve cover or should it just loosely fit? Mine fits sloppily enough to where I can't imagine there not being a vacuum leak right there. Also, the breather cap is the same thing as the driver side valve cover cap where you add oil to right??

 

Its possible that your transmission modulator diaphram is leaking. Pull the rubber hose off of it and look for fluid, change it right away, if you find fluid inside the vac hose. (and don't forget the check the tranny fluid level).

 

The PCV valve rubber grommet should hold the valve tightly. If it doesn't, then get that replaced. Also go ahead and replace the PCV valve itself.
Yes, some models have a breather cap with a hose that goes to the carb for recirculation on the oil filler cap. Mine doesn't and it is a San Jose plant model so that confuses me. Mine has a mesh like a very large brillo pad inside the cap, whereas others have the hose that runs to the carb.

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Thanks for the advice guys, I'll replace the PCV/grommet and will check the trans modulator.

That's a strange breather cap, Soaring. I'd like to know what that stuff is.

 

I *think* the DSO dictated the emissions system. So, if I am correct, and your DSO was other than California, you would not have the "closed" system PCV even if your car was built in San Jose.

I agree with Soaring that the grommet should be tight. Although that will not create a "vacuum leak"causing your engine to run poorly, it will cause oil weapage. The PCV valve is a "metered vacuum leak". So if the valve is stuck open, it increases the quantity of airflow allowed in to the intake through the hose. If you have the original steel bodied PCV, I'd clean the heck out of it then check it for possible re-use. I'm not sure if you can buy those anymore, and it would be a great to have ona concours correct car.

 

I just bought a new PCV valve for mine a few months ago from a local parts place, so they are still available. You can swish the valve through some solvent to get the sludge out and reuse it, but the little ball gets scored so replacing it is the best way to go.

 

From an ex California smog technician, in agreement with the quote, if your PCV valveis stuck open, it would only have a slight driveability effect upon on wide open throttle. Since maximum vacumn in an engine is 1st on decel and then second, idle, the PCV valve is full open at those settings. If your gromment is leaking, its more of an oil leak issue instead of an oil burning (internally in the cylinder). Its also possible that some time in the life of this car, it had a closed system installed (hose to the aircleaner and a PCV valve) if configured with a hose to the air cleaner.
There is a third possibility yet to be discussed which, is cylider blow-by caused by piston rings that are not holding cylinder pressure under load. if this is the case, its soon time for a ring job.

 

It is asbestos,,,,, just kidding, I really don't know what it is....