Exhaust Fumes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
Exhaust Fumes
Hello to everyone. I am a new member, but have been reading the forum. Everyone is very helpful. I have a question to ask. I have a 69 covertibe vette and when I drive the car, I seem to get exhaust fumes coming into the cab. I smell it with the top up also. When I'm done driving, my clothes smells like exhaust fume. It this common with the C3's? I checked for exhaust leaks but can't find any. Let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Its common for cars with no catalytic converters to stink. Everything I wear in the car needs a wash afterwards to get the exhaust stink out.
As for the smell coming into the cabin, you might want to check closely for leaks. I smell when I get out of the car, but cant usually detect a smell inside the cab. Be safe and give it another good look with the car off the ground. Get up in 'er undercarriage and inspect closely.
As for the smell coming into the cabin, you might want to check closely for leaks. I smell when I get out of the car, but cant usually detect a smell inside the cab. Be safe and give it another good look with the car off the ground. Get up in 'er undercarriage and inspect closely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,038
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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When I went to true duels I noticed that it got a little stinky inside. I try to drive faster to stay ahead of it...........
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
You guys may be confusing the smell of the engine with exhaust smell. If you truly have no exhaust leaks then oil evaporating on the block (no big stretch with the number of leaks these cars get from time to time)may be the cause. I know I used to get a lot of smell in the cockpit until I discovered my cockpit heat fix. Here's a link to the tech tip article I posted. It not only fixed the heat situation in the cockpit but eliminated the smell from the engine compartment. Give it a try.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=241&TopicID=3
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=241&TopicID=3
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
You guys may be confusing the smell of the engine with exhaust smell. If you truly have no exhaust leaks then oil evaporating on the block (no big stretch with the number of leaks these cars get from time to time)may be the cause. I know I used to get a lot of smell in the cockpit until I discovered my cockpit heat fix. Here's a link to the tech tip article I posted. It not only fixed the heat situation in the cockpit but eliminated the smell from the engine compartment. Give it a try.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=241&TopicID=3
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=241&TopicID=3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
I know exactly what you're referring to, I used to get it also but have been able to get rid of most all of it.
Change the rubber gasket where the hood seals against the firewall, engine fumes can come in the fresh air vents.
Change the seals around the steering wheel, where the speedo cable enters the firewall and anyplace a cable or other wire enters the firewall from the engine compartment.
If your car has A/C change the seal around the pipes where they enter the firewall/condenser area. Mine was completely missing, when I installed it there was a big difference.
Make sure the gaskets on the fresh air vents are good.
You would be suprised how the smallest opening can stink up the cab.
You can get seals and gaskets from Doc Rebuild.
Good Luck
Change the rubber gasket where the hood seals against the firewall, engine fumes can come in the fresh air vents.
Change the seals around the steering wheel, where the speedo cable enters the firewall and anyplace a cable or other wire enters the firewall from the engine compartment.
If your car has A/C change the seal around the pipes where they enter the firewall/condenser area. Mine was completely missing, when I installed it there was a big difference.
Make sure the gaskets on the fresh air vents are good.
You would be suprised how the smallest opening can stink up the cab.
You can get seals and gaskets from Doc Rebuild.
Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It is also possible that your carb is burning very "rich". That will leave a lot of unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust and make it much more noticable. But, I agree with the seal on the rear edge of the hood; that hardens so that it doesn't seal. To check, put some clay or putty on the flange where the hood gasket is to seal. Close and latch the hood, then re-open. The thickness of the clay remaining is the "air gap" which allows engine compartment heat and fumes to get into your air intake system.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
Put it on the lift. While the engine is running at idle, have a friend put a towel(shop cloth) over the exhaust coming out of the rear. While he does this, see where, if anywhere you hear a leak. Once you find the leak, go from there.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
Put it on the lift. While the engine is running at idle, have a friend put a towel(shop cloth) over the exhaust coming out of the rear. While he does this, see where, if anywhere you hear a leak. Once you find the leak, go from there.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
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