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  #1  
Old 12-14-2010, 07:18 PM
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weird smell

so i got my car inspected tonight, the people were really nice, and they fixed an exhaust leak for me for free so i would pass. but then when i left i noticed a really weird smell coming from the defroster. it's not gas, it's like a chemical smell. i don't know if it's bad or not, it's just weird, but only the defroster, not the heat or anything else. is this cause they fixed my exhaust leak? or something they do when they smog check a car? i'm not sure, but i don't like the smell. it's kinda gross.
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  #2  
Old 12-14-2010, 07:57 PM
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Re: weird smell

Does it smell like burning coolant?
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'92 Ls-L Dark Teal
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  #3  
Old 12-14-2010, 08:09 PM
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Re: weird smell

i don't think so. i had that problem a year ago, it smells more foul than sweet.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #4  
Old 12-14-2010, 08:23 PM
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Re: weird smell

and i drove my car earlier with no smell. it was just after they inspected it. i think they cleaned something out or used some chemical in the test and it's just residue. it makes me a little nauseated.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #5  
Old 12-14-2010, 09:32 PM
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Re: weird smell

well i drove home from work, and the smell gradually decreased, so i think it was residue from something at the shop. it almost smelled like metal, which would make sense since they welded the exhaust.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #6  
Old 12-14-2010, 10:51 PM
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Re: weird smell

Sounds like its nothing to worry about, unless it comes back. good luck
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'92 Ls-L Dark Teal
11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons
ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams
ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU
Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors
Balanced & Blueprinted
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  #7  
Old 12-15-2010, 05:25 AM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: weird smell

Depending on how "foul" it is, it could be from gear oil if they have to check the differential levels. (not sure how inspections work as we don't have them here)
Also, if they have to check that, the diff dipstick has a notch on some of them so that it rests correctly. If they didn't get the notch in the nothced open spot on the case, it could be coming from there.

Try checking that as well as checking to see if the smell goes away completely when you hit the "circ" button on the climate control. This recirculates the air in the cabin instead of bringing in air from outside the car.
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  #8  
Old 12-15-2010, 09:28 AM
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Re: weird smell

where is that dipstick? and i think it was just residue from the shop. it started to smell less like chemicals and more like a mechanic shop. but i didn't even try the circ button yet, i was too busy watching my temp gauge to make sure my cooling system hadn't erupted again. lol
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #9  
Old 12-15-2010, 03:48 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: weird smell

It's on the passenger side of the transmission. Below all the wiring harnesses and hoses. The dipstick can be either black or I've also seen yellow for the dipstick.
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  #10  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:19 PM
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Re: weird smell

When you're running the heat, are you running it in ECON or AUTO?
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  #11  
Old 12-15-2010, 11:06 PM
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Re: weird smell

running auto. should i use econ? it's about 15 degrees at night now. i was under the impression that econ is for like 60 degree weather.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #12  
Old 12-16-2010, 06:10 AM
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Re: weird smell

Quote:
Originally Posted by B 4 You View Post
running auto. should i use econ? it's about 15 degrees at night now. i was under the impression that econ is for like 60 degree weather.
Auto means the a/c will come on if needed, Econ means the a/c will not come on.
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  #13  
Old 12-16-2010, 11:25 AM
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Re: weird smell

right, and most likely it won't be needed in below freezing temperatures. right? by the way the smell is completely gone now.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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