l have a '97 Cavalier which l have not been driving much lately. It is in fact over due for an oil change. My question is, would that cause the oil to smell like gas? l have also been told that driving only short distances (which is me) does not allow the engine to fully warm up and that could be the cause. The car is running good. It is not missing, hesitating, making any noises, and does not seem to be running rich. l just changed the plugs and wires as well. Any suggestions?
Yes the car was missing so l changed the plugs and wires. But l had not noticed the gas smell at that point. l do not know why but today when l checked it l thought l should smell it. l do not always.

That is true to a certain extent . that the engine has to warm up every now and then. But the problem is that the gas, is going through to the bottom of the engine. Change the oil, filter, and give the car a good drive on the highway. Bottom line , it is not supposed to go through to the bottom of the engine. If after doing what is suggested does not get rid of the problem , tke your car to a trusted mechanic so he can check for compression in the cylinders , etc.

You changed the plugs & wires before u noticed the smell of gas?

If so, hope for the best - u might have had a misfiring cylinder that was allowing unburned gas to wash down one of the cylinders & into ur oil.

Change the oil - & I'd recommend u add a wear-additive, just in case. Do not miss the next oil change - check the oil & see if the odor persists.

l have a feeling u might have simply had a cylinder misfire that added that gas smell to ur oil. If the odor is there at ur next oil change, u should be a little more concerned.

if gas is getting past the piston rings then they arent doing there job.

You already know the problem.You do not drive the car long enough to bring it up to operating temperature.It is winter and cold and It is normal to push gas past your piston rings before everything warms up and expands to make the rings seal.Change your oil more often under these conditions.