Car smoking after oil change

MELISS2_4

MEMBER
2002 HONDA ACCORD
87,000 MILES

I took my car in for an oil change earlier today. Afterwards the car was smoking and smelled like burnt rubber. I called the shop and informed them of this problem. They told me that they spilled oil in the engine and that it would burn off in 10-20 minutes.

I drove my car later that day and it was still smoking. I took the car to jiffy lube and it turns out the previous shop filled my car with 7 quarts of oil. Jiffy lube drained the excess oil and topped off all fluids. They said that the smoking should stop. However, when I got home my car was still smoking and smelt of burnt rubber.

4 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Depending on how much oil was blown out, it could take a day or two to burn off all of the oil.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 4:24 AM

MELISS2_4

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Is it safe to drive the car on a several hundred mile road trip? Thanks for your help.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 4:27 AM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

I would use an engine degreaser first. Follow the directions on the can. That way you can be sure. Cover the coil leads with something before spraying it with the water.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 6:10 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Oil spilt onto the exhaust should burn off after 20 minutes or so and if it keeps smoking from within the engine compartment, chances there should still be a leak somewhere or spilt oil is being held in recessed areas and slowly dripping onto the exhaust.

As Mike explained, get the engine cleaned and run it till operating temperature and the smoke should clear. Do not degrease the engine while it is still hot. Let engine cool down before doing so as degreasing a hot engine can cause a lot of problem.

If the smoking is fomr the exhaust, chances it might take forever to clear if oil had gotten into the intake system via the crankcase ventilation system due to the overfilling.

If the above are confirmed to be the cause, you have no problem driving the vehicle around.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 1:14 PM