Bad smell when driving with windows down!

[mashloh]

I have a 97 Eclipse GS

not sure when it started but recently I've been smelling a strong fuel? exhaust? smell when i drive with my window down. I tried to pin point where the smell is coming from and it seems like it's coming from around the engine itself but I can't say exactly where.

I had a leaky valve cover gasket (with oil filling up the spark plug wells) and i just had it replaced by myself but the smell is still there. I've read a bad o2 sensor could cause some bad smells but none of my check engine lights are on so i don't think it is that.

Any tips on what to else look for or other stuff to check up on?

Thanks in advance for the help

Kyle

BTW, I don't smell anything or the smell is very very faint when I have my windows up

 

[Mike1992]

running a test pipe? Possibly a clogged catylatic convertor

 

[mashloh]

ok, I just double checked again and it seems like the smell is coming from around the headers area or somewhere more towards the front of the engine bay.

I went to the back and smelled the exhaust and that smell is the same smell i get when I drive. The exhaust is putting out a little white smoke but nothing too bad. The only mods I have are a cold air intake and a bolt on exhaust.

 

[Mike1992]

could be leaky gaskets or a bustedflex section on the downpipe. Let the car sit a few hours then, start it up and feel your hand around the header and downpipe, DO THIS WHEN ENGINE IS COLD and feel for leaks. For better results have a friend rev the engine while your looking under the hood for leaks, if ya see a puff of smoke you got a leak

 

[GetEvryGear]

Do you still have a cat on your car?

 

[mashloh]

yah I still have the stock cat, the car has about 83k miles on it.

I'll try to get my friend to rev it while i take a look at the engine to see if I can find anything.

 

[GetEvryGear]

Ok, not sure then. If you didn't have the cat on that would be the problem.

 

[a_scobel]

Burnt Clutch?? Blah Hate that smell.

 

[rdogg07]

i had a similar problem.. a bad smell would come in through the vents.. but mostly when windows were down. it turned out be the clutch! had to get a new one