Oily smell from heater

[mellowship]

Hi all,
I have recently become the proud owner of a 98 4.0L chimaera! I have noticed on occasion a fairly strong oily smell coming from the heater (had it on quite a bit lately with the weather!). Is this a trait of the Chimaera or should I start getting worried? m

[wolosp]

Glad to have you along!
Are you sure it's oil and not coolant/anti-freeze? I occasionally get a wiff of anti-freeze once the engine gets hot.

[tamago]

possibility that the smell you are experiencing is the waxoyl what was applied to the chassis if the car was serviced in preparation for winter when you bought it...

[kenny chim 4]

Hi all,
I have recently become the proud owner of a 98 4.0L chimaera! I have noticed on occasion a fairly strong oily smell coming from the heater (had it on quite a bit lately with the weather!). Is this a trait of the Chimaera or should I start getting worried? m

Mark, if your car has PAS, that would be the main suspect IMHO. Mine loses some fluid via the connections betwixt the rubber hose joints and the metal outlets/inlets (the hoses expand under heat).
Look from near-side behind the swirl tank and see if there if there is fluid seepage. If so, tighten the jubilee clips.
At worst, with the heater on full to the windscreen, it actually made my eyes water- like peeling onions whilst negotiating the North Circ!- not too bad now.
Then again it may be a number of things..