An oil burner exhaust smell test

Trying to work out if the exhaust was a bit more smokey than it should be for the milage, the car dealer held his hand over the exhaust pipe outlet and then smelt his hand and invited us to smell it. He said if its burning oil you can smell it on the hand.

I've never heard of that one before. I know my sense of smell is not great, so could not tell if this was a valid method or not, even if i smelt it. Would you think this is a valid method?

Reply to
john brook
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Lol - He's having you on

Reply to
Fatso

What makes you say that?

Reply to
Nige

"For the mileage"? - what sort of car is it? On anything normal and modern, I'd be of the opinion that any smoke would be too much once the engine and exhaust pipes had had a chance to get up to temperature.

Burning oil does have a reasonably distinctive smell.

Reply to
Douglas Payne

I agree. I can be following a vehicle and if it is burning oil I can certainly smell it.

Reply to
Harry Bloomfield

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