Exhaust Gases in cabin?

[talon2gbuyer]

Hey all, ive been having this issue for a day or so now. Its happened mostly tonight on my drive dropping off my gf, there was this acrid smell of exhaust entering the cabin, and ive got no idea from where. Its not to the point where your eyes burn, but its really noticeable and I dont like too much that it stinks up the interior of my car while im driving. Ive narrowed it down to when im hitting the accelerator, but when im sitting at a light or at idle I dont notice it nearly as much. I know its coming through my firewall somehow, but anyone have any ideas?

 

[3kgt2nv]

it might be a leak in the exhaust or a slipping clutch or a seized break caliper. all of them will give a headache inducing smell and all 3 can be toxic.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

hmm.. ok the clutch sounds like a winner here. ive been noticing a little bit of slippage lately. So you think its coming up through the trans and into the cabin? Im gonna take it to aamco tomorrow morning and have them take a peek at it. Just bought the car 2 days ago, and so far having the worst luck with it .

 

[3kgt2nv]

a slipping clutch can be smelled from outside the car 10 feet away. once you know what it smells like you will never forget.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Good point, I can swear this smells like exhaust gases. But i have no idea where it would be coming from. What would be your next logical guess? I doubt its an exhaust leak, because i would have noticed a sound difference from the exhaust/hearing it from near the engine?

 

[3kgt2nv]

not if it was leaking the whole time. it could be a loose downpipe or exhaust manifold. if your not knowledgeable on cars and dont know anyone who is taking it to a shop will yield quick results altho they may be pricey.

if it goes away when the car is off then it is most likely an exhaust leak from somewhere. usual places to look are joints in the exhaust and where the cat is located as they can tend to rust out and cause holes in the system.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Ok, im gonna throw the car on ramps tomorrow and check the exhaust. As far as I have been told the car has a 3 inch cat-less exhaust on it. I'll know more tomorrow once i inspect it further.

 

[3kgt2nv]

if its a 3" ebay job then the fitment can sometimes be anywhere from ok to downright crap. check the joint flanges and inspect the pipe all the way out. if your smelling exhaust it will most likely be in the down pipe to first section of the exhaust. it could be something as stupid as there is a wideband o2 bung in the exhaust with nothing screwed into it causing a leak right under the cabin.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

I swear if its something that simple i will do flips . Ill keep you informed, gonna do a major inspect on it tomorrow.

 

[PFC_CiarlilloM]

How does the flex pipe look?

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Ok, i got the car on a jack this morning, and the flex pipe looks good, no tears or cuts or braids broken. I did however find this. It looks like a patch that was welded into place, however i couldnt get to it due to how low the car was, i would have to physically put the car on a hydro lift to get to it. As for the leak, this is my guess of where its coming from. Ideas?

 

[drive57]

Let the car idle and being tracing the smoke, smell etc. Go for a cruise with a buddy and do drive bys and ask if he notices anything abnormal.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

At idle the smell is pretty much absent, its mainly when i hit the gas that i can smell it clear as day. Now correct me if im wrong, but the exhaust mani is located on the front of the motor correct? which means that air flow would remove the gas below the car before reaching the cabin, so im thinking that it has to be somewhere in the section of the down pipe that runs beneath the cabin. Unless of course im missing something.. Thanks again for the help guys, I know its annoying but im trying to sort out all the little shit wrong with the car before I do mods.

 

[northernawd]

Your exhaust mani may be leaking or the gaskets have Broken down and have allowed for leak.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Good idea, ill definitely check that out too. Thanks!

 

[northernawd]

Also, check for possible holes in the firewall and where the wires and such pass through the fire wall for leaks.

 

[rastmp]

If You have a catch can mounted near the firewall...may cause toxic combustion gas to escape into the cabin