Gasoline odor in oil...normal?

[email protected] said:

I have an 07 Yaris with about 2400 miles on it... and whenever I check the oil, I can smell gasoline on the dipstick(mixed in with the oil)... I noticed this when I first got the car, and I figured it was just blow-by in the cylinders due to it being brand new...(because the piston rings hadn't seated yet) but it's been a while and I can still smell it. Will this ever go away, and is it cause for concern?
Thanks!

Ryan

Click to expand...

Toyota piston rings are seated from the factory.
All engines have BLOW-BY to some extent, thats why they have PCV systems.

Gasoline was once oil in a different form, both products come from the same source. They are just different foods in the same chain.
Yes it will probably always smell like that and as long as the engine light is NOT on and you feel it runs fine, there is no cause to worry.

I have read somewhere that the Yaris had been recalled for defective PVC and other fuel control systems. Go to a dealer and look up the tSB and see if it applies. Sounds like a problem to me. You should not have raw fuel blow by unless you are running a 15-1 comp gasser big block with mechanical CFI!
Grumpy - Master Tech

post script to above message - Toyota typically hides its TSB's from alldata - so good luck finding them online. Denial is the best way to improved quality

I have checked the TOYOTA TIS data base and there are NO TSB's for the PCV system or engine oil, or fuel smell.
I checked 2004-2007 ALL YARIS.
There is a TSB for "SULFER ODOR", but thats out the tailpipe.

They do recommend you use a specific oil, to keep engines from excessive smoke and noises.
i have attached a copy of that TSB.

To the original poster: Do you drive a lot of short trips? Does your oil not get fully heated? Lots of short trips and/or lots of driving with the oil not yet up to temperature can cause fuel dillution in the oil. This can eventually cause sludging of the oil in many engines. But don't dispair! Just get your ride on the freeway for at least 30 minutes once or twice a week and this will cause the fuel to work it's way out of the oil sump. Doing this will allow your engine to last longer too.

Fuel dillution is normal for all engines, especially if one drives their car on lots of short trips, in city stop and go especially. These folks should change their oil more often, as this will also mitigate the fuel dillution issue.