alps_bits

Hey all, I own a 99 Subaru Forester, which has about 50K miles on it. I recently had a road trip from TX to CA. In the middle of the trip near AZ, I smelled a burning smell coming from under the hood. I took it to a mechanic(NAPA network member) and he said that my CV axle was torn and all the grease was spilling out and falling on the exhaust and that was causing the burning smell. I got the CV axle replaced from him. He said he couldn't clean the grease completely, so the smell might last a little bit but it would go off in a while, once all the grease was burnt. Then I drove it to CA. Could smell the burning still, (strength of smell was reduced though), but I took the mechanic's word and thought it would go away eventually. Came to CA and had an oil change done because of the long trip. In a few days there was a knocking sound from the car, whenever I accelerated from a stop. Took it to another mechanic in CA (NAPA network member), and he said that the CV axle was damaged and that it was causing the knocking sound and he would replace it since it was under warranty. Now , its been about 2 weeks since I got the CV axle replaced, the knocking is gone, but the burning smell came back stronger again. Opened the hood and saw that there was oil/grease in the same location as in AZ. Took it to the mechanic in CA, and he says its an oil leak from the oil cooler gasket. It needs to be resealed. Then we need an oil change and a coolant flush. I am wondering if the first mechanic did not make a proper diagnosis. Is the CV axle near the oil cooler gasket? Could leak from one be mistaken for another? Thanks for reading my story and thanks in advance for the reply.