Occasional burning oil/tarry smell

[jorbon]

Car is running well, no codes, no noticeable leaks and fluid levels are not dropping... Every once in a while, say, 3 or 4 outings, when backing or stuck in traffic, I get a strong whiff of a very tarry / burnt oil smell. There is no noticeable smoke (of any color), and when I sniff at the tail pipes and under the hood right afterwards, it is not really obvious where its coming from...
03, manual, sedan, 68,xxx miles.
Thoughts?
Thanks.

[mbeckel]

Probably from the catalytic converters. Some oil gets into them and it's probably burning it off

[toddness]

Valve cover gaskets?

[Avetiso]

+1 Valve cover gaskets leaking. Leaks on to manifold. Much stinky.

[SoCalZman]

another vote for valve cover gaskets. I was getting the smell through my vents. new gasket fixed it right up.

[Bimmernut2]

Most likely the VCG as mentioned above. When the engine is cold, run you hand or rag at the lower side of the valve cover next to the fire wall. If it's the VCG, you'll find a small amount of oil collecting & eventually falls onto the exhaust. That's where the smell comes from

[jorbon]

Thanks all- I'll check it.
Did the brakes last weekend, looks like its vcg soon.

[llll1l1ll]

Valve cover gasket for sure.

[Dave1027]

Valve cover gasket for sure.
... and maybe the ccv too. Crankcase pressure causes oil to be pushed out of a weak VCG.