'97 Legacy Outback

Perhaps I should clarify on my first question... It smells like burning oil

If the heater core has a pinhole leak, you'll get an antifreeze smell. It might be confused with an oil smell if you haven't smelled both.

If you get the smell all the time, look under the front of the car. If there is wet oil clinging to the frame and exhaust headers, you have an oil leak that is spraying onto the hot exhaust pipes.

Look at where a shaft goes into the back of one of the front wheels. There will be a pleated rubber bulge on the shaft where it mates to the wheel. The bulge is the CV joint boot and the CV joint is inside. Make sure the boot isn't torn and flinging grease on the hot exhaust pipes. Check both sides.

Does it shake up and down - might be unbalanced tire or a bent wheel.

Does it try to twist you hands right and left - might be wheel alignment or worn tires.

There are many other things that could cause this, but these are the most likely.

Thanks for the tips, Jim. The wheel is shaking left-to-right and the tires are pretty new. I kinda figured it just needs an alignment, but I thought I'd ask here to see if there are any known issues.

I think I know why the car smells like burning oil when the heater is on...whoever last filled the oil filled it up way too high. When cold, the dip stick reads well above the "Upper" level, even above "full when hot" notch. I imagine the car is spraying the extra oil out.

Again, thanks for the input.

richard field

Because it is. Most likely the cam seal or similar. You dont smell it until you turn the heater on which is set to draw air in from the vents just under the windshield....which also happens to be just under the hood. It doesn't take alot of oil to make the smell (and smoke).

unblanaced or out-of-round tires wheel bearings damaged front end components misalignment steering gear

First thing I'd do here is take it to a shop to balance the tires where they can replicate the load of the vehicle on the road.