Oftentimes, an oil leak can be found and diagnosed by its scent. In particular, a sharp and strong burning oil smell. This is the scent of hot motor oil leaking out of your engine and dripping onto hot components of your car. These hot parts can include the exhaust, for example. Over time, this smell would quickly turn into an unpleasant acrid smoky scent. This odor might also be followed by other symptoms, such as noticing how your car is overheating. If you notice a burning oil smell, it's crucial that you pull over and give your car a check-over. Oil leaks can turn into a serious fire hazard if it continually leaks onto hot components and burn. Moreover, driving without the right oil level may cause significant issues to appear down the line.