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  #1  
Old 01-20-2013, 11:03 PM
FM977 FM977 is offline
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Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

I seem to have a rather unpleasant smell coming through the heater vents that almost smells like exhaust. It doesn't really smell like burning fluid (neither oil nor ATF). Has anyone here experienced this and determined the cause? I don't hear any exhaust issues other than the resonator which buzzes a bit

Thanks
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Old 01-21-2013, 06:31 AM
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Conn SVX Conn SVX is offline
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

If it is sweet smelling it could be the heater core leaking or a hose. Get a battery powered home CO alarm and put it on the front seat. That will tell you if it is exhaust or not
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Old 01-21-2013, 06:37 AM
Blacky Blacky is offline
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

If it is the heater core leaking, your windshield will fog over if you turn on the defrost before the engine heats up.
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Old 01-21-2013, 09:12 AM
FM977 FM977 is offline
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

Quote:
Originally Posted by Conn SVX View Post
If it is sweet smelling it could be the heater core leaking or a hose. Get a battery powered home CO alarm and put it on the front seat. That will tell you if it is exhaust or not
That's a good idea! I'll try it and post back.
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Old 01-21-2013, 09:57 AM
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

Power steering leaks have been a persistent PITA for me and that smell comes in through the vents. If you see drips under the car, put paper towels under there and look at the color of what drips.
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Old 01-21-2013, 11:57 PM
FM977 FM977 is offline
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

There may be a slight ATF drip from the PS pump, but it sure smells like exhaust.

Last edited by FM977; 01-22-2013 at 02:14 AM.
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Old 01-22-2013, 06:30 AM
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Re: Exhaust-like smell coming through heater vents

Exhaust flowing into the coolant may be the sign of a heat gasket issue.

If you smell the coolant reservoir under the hood, does it smell of exhaust?

How many miles on the engine?

A quick test to see if your getting combustion gasses in your coolant via a head gasket: Smell the coolant. If its bubbling into the overflow tank, give it a sniff as well as when its cold pop the cap on the radiator and do the same. If it smells like exhaust or gasoline, then regretfully you have a bad head gasket. This will lead to your radiator blowing all of its coolant into the overflow tank in a short time, like a few days.

Pop the cap when your car is cold and see if the radiator is loosing a lot of coolant. Its a tell-tale sign.

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Last edited by svxcess; 01-22-2013 at 06:33 AM.
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