Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - echobeech

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on what might be the cause of this issue with my 2004 Getz (automatic), which normally runs very smoothly.

After periods of not having driven the car for a few days, or when making shorter journeys of under 3 miles, when the engine stops, you can smell smoke and a burning clutch or oil-like smell coming through the vents. Upon opening the bonnet, quite a bit of smoke appears to be coming from the bottom right of the engine, with some black grime/debris which looks like burning oil around the area.

Strangely, this doesn't happen when making longer journeys - I frequently commute a distance of 30 miles and have never had this happen on this type of journey! Makes me wonder whether it's something to do with transmission?

No oil has ever accumulated or dripped from underneath the car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and will try and figure out how to upload a photo/video of this issue. Many thanks.

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - echobeech

photos.app.goo.gl/2Gz8pZBuj3TRL4Tr9

Hope this link works!

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - Adampr

Check your engine oil and transmission oil levels and you should know which is going down. However, it looks very much like engine oil to me. Probably easiest to get it lifted up and looked under.

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - elekie&a/c doctor
Looks like engine oil leaking from the cam box cover and running onto the exhaust system.
Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - John F
Looks like engine oil leaking from the cam box cover and running onto the exhaust system.

Agreed. Probably a failed cam/rocker cover gasket, easy enough to fix. Might just need tightening down a bit. The oil will ooze out for a short time after it's been sloshed around inside the cam cover, and then stop when it drains back down into the sump. In the early stages of a journey the manifold will smoke away for a bit until it's all gone. That's why there appears to be no problem after a longer journey. I suppose if the manifold gets too hot with the engine working very hard in the early stages of a journey, e.g.towing a caravan quickly up an alp, there might be a risk of fire, but it'll have to get above 400C (autoignition temperature) which is pretty hot!

Edited by John F on 01/11/2024 at 18:18

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - echobeech

Thanks for your help, everyone - probably best to take it into the local garage and get it up on ramp to have a look, and suggest the cam/rocker cover gasket gets replaced..

Engine temp stays at normal levels but will bear that in mind in case it rises in any instance!

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - Andrew-T

Thanks for your help, everyone - probably best to take it into the local garage and get it up on ramp to have a look, and suggest the cam/rocker cover gasket gets replaced..

If the cam cover is leaking you should be able to see it by just lifting the bonnet - no immediate need for the ramp ?

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - John F

Thanks for your help, everyone - probably best to take it into the local garage and get it up on ramp to have a look, and suggest the cam/rocker cover gasket gets replaced.

Or you could do it yourself. The gasket is only a few pounds mail order and here's an 8 minute video on how to do it - looks as though this example has failed in the same place, possibly a well known feature of this car?

www.google.com/search?q=hyundai+getz+rocker+cover+...0

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - echobeech

Thanks all, really helpful - will take a look at the video and part links.

Hyundai Getz 2004 CDX - Smoke/oil leak in Hyundai Getz - Big John

Check PCV Crankcase (Breather) Valve which can block / partially block. Basically excessive crankcase pressure pushes sump soil past any oil weak spot including external oil seals, gaskets, valve oil seals etc. If partially blocked it may improve on a long run as things properly warm through.PS Easy cheap fix so worth doing anyway. PS You still might have to change the gasket if it's been compromised.

Edited by Big John on 02/11/2024 at 23:44