We have a 2014 CX-9 Sport with 124k. Noticed a burning oil smell and smoke coming from the front of the engine. Figured it was valve cover gaskets, so replaced them - twice! Because after the first time the smell and smoke remained, I figured I screwed something up.

It appears oil is seeping/dripping onto the top of the exhaust manifold right near the engine pulling bracket. After extensive cleaning, I can see oil residue around the exhaust manifold gasket near that engine pulling bracket.

Anyone else experience anything like this? It’s a new one on me. No coolant in the oil or vice versa. Car has never over-heated. Oil changes every 5k.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Lets start with what you are calling an engine pulling bracket?????

Pictures may help as well?

 

there is a large black bracket with a hole in it in the front of the motor. I believe this is one of two used in pulling the motor out of the car.

I am away from the car at the moment. Here us the best image I had on my phone.

 

Thank you for providing the pictures. Best I can tell it is a valve cover leak. But it is very difficult because the engine is not very clean.

 

I would agree with you if I hadn’t changed the gaskets - twice, and when I run my fingers along the cover along the seam, I get no oil residue at all.

The pictures I sent pre-dated me cleaning the heck out of everything so I could get a better look.

With everything clean, and running the engine while looking at the exhaust manifold where it meets the engine with my mirror, I do see oil seeping out around that gasket area.

Tackling that is beyond me. So I’ll have a garage I trust look into it.

I really appreciate you trying to help, though!

 

Well lets us know what the results and outcome are.

Just out of curiosity, when you had the valve cover off did you check for surface area contact straightness?

 

Excellent thought! The second time I replaced the gaskets I put my mechanic’s ruler on the cylinder head after I cleaned the mating surfaces and it appeared straight and even.

 

Sorry.... I meant the valve cover itself.

 

Did the shop find the source of your leak? I'm having the same problem but on the back of the engine, and cannot find the source of the leak after replacing the valve cover gasket.