Exhaust leak?

msvx95 · #1 12-10-2004, 02:54 AM

I have noticed when I start up my car and let it warm up for a few minutes that while sitting inside the car I start to smell exhaust....This is very noticeable when the vent or floor heater vent is opened. I have to turn off the instrument panel circulation "economy" button for a few minutes to stop the smell.
Now the problem goes away when I start driving and turn the vent back on......Has anyone ever had a problem like this? From what I know about my car, there are no noticeable holes in the floorboards or firewall. Bad exhaust seal?......Hole in exhaust pipe?

SilverSpear · #2 12-10-2004, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by msvx95
I have noticed when I start up my car and let it warm up for a few minutes that while sitting inside the car I start to smell exhaust....This is very noticeable when the vent or floor heater vent is opened. I have to turn off the instrument panel circulation "economy" button for a few minutes to stop the smell.
Now the problem goes away when I start driving and turn the vent back on......Has anyone ever had a problem like this? From what I know about my car, there are no noticeable holes in the floorboards or firewall. Bad exhaust seal?......Hole in exhaust pipe?

It can be both... while your car is cooled down (early morning), turn it on and try to pinpoint the leak with a sponge filled with soap (foam), you will quickly notice the leaky part...

#3 12-10-2004, 06:39 AM

Sounds like a leak from the front of the exhaust. Since air can easily flow around the engine bay, exhaust fumes from a front pipe leak are free to rise up and make their way into the cowl panel under the windshield (this is where outside air enters your cabin). As you drive the exhaust fumes are forced under your car by incoming air...so you don't notice the exhaust smell when you are moving.

Dave

SilverSpear · #4 12-10-2004, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by red95svx
Sounds like a leak from the front of the exhaust. Since air can easily flow around the engine bay, exhaust fumes from a front pipe leak are free to rise up and make their way into the cowl panel under the windshield (this is where outside air enters your cabin). As you drive the exhaust fumes are forced under your car by incoming air...so you don't notice the exhaust smell when you are moving.

Dave

not necessarily, i had a leak in my rear exhaust before, also it flew into the cockpit and made a bad smell... he should check all around the exhaust system.. with no exceptions

#5 12-10-2004, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SilverSpear

not necessarily, i had a leak in my rear exhaust before, also it flew into the cockpit and made a bad smell... he should check all around the exhaust system.. with no exceptions

Of course he should check the entire system.

Dave

msvx95 · #6 12-10-2004, 09:24 AM

I will give that a try definately........Either way, is the cowl panel the only path the fumes would travel into the cabin?...(Assuming there isn't a hole somewhere else).

Thanks for your input guys.

drivemusicnow · #7 12-10-2004, 09:31 AM

from my experience, the SVX seals up pretty well... with the ac recirculating, i doubt there would be another location where anything air can get in...

Ever driven the car by a really bad smelling farm before? i live sorta near a bunch of farms.. and with the windows up, and A/C recirculating.. i don't smell ANYTHING, where the smell can be overwhelming in other cars that i've been in under the same conditions

#8 12-10-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drivemusicnow
from my experience, the SVX seals up pretty well... with the ac recirculating, i doubt there would be another location where anything air can get in...

Ever driven the car by a really bad smelling farm before? i live sorta near a bunch of farms.. and with the windows up, and A/C recirculating.. i don't smell ANYTHING, where the smell can be overwhelming in other cars that i've been in under the same conditions

Exactly. I think the car seals up pretty well too.

Dave

n00b on demand · #9 12-10-2004, 11:42 AM

Exhaust donut gaskets.

SilverSpear · #10 12-13-2004, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by msvx95
I will give that a try definately........Either way, is the cowl panel the only path the fumes would travel into the cabin?...(Assuming there isn't a hole somewhere else).

Thanks for your input guys.

from the trunk, especially when you have open windows, the air flows to the inside to get out from the windows. try it out, drive when your windows are closed, you wouldn't smell anything anymore, open them and the smell gets back in...

SilverSpear · #11 12-13-2004, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by red95svx

Exactly. I think the car seals up pretty well too.

Dave

from the doors, yes, from the trunk, NO !!! believe me I had this problem in my car before... but if he still smells when the windows are closed it means he has a leak from the exhaust donut gaskets (or somewhere near that in the engine compartment) as soobiesvx said.