Cab exhaust odor
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Belfair Washington
Cab exhaust odor
I have an odd problem w/ my 2002 coupe. When stopped at a light or in traffic moving slowly the exhaust smell in the car is really bad. It isn't occasional, it's every time. Can't find any exhaust leaks in the system, and my car seems to be tight with the windows closed. Any of you guys got any ideas? I'm kinda stumped. Thanks in advance. Larry
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 42
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I have seen in the past that the PCV valve sometimes get clogged and this cause a problem in some cars. Does your car have the catalyst converters installed still? Sometimes when they are not installed the smell of exhaust creeps its way into the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Are you sure you don't have a leak somewhere in the engine bay, and a bad seal between the hood and the cowel? Could it be that you have a leak and the odor is being sucked into the cabin by the A/C fan?
If not, then you've got to have a leak under the car, where the H-Pipe / cats are...........the symptoms you describe are not normal, so there's a problem somewhere.
If not, then you've got to have a leak under the car, where the H-Pipe / cats are...........the symptoms you describe are not normal, so there's a problem somewhere.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Is the rubber seal still in place around the shifter? If not exhaust fumes can get into tunnel from the rear of the car and then come up through the shifter into the cabin.
Bill
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
JOVETTE & Bill covered the major areas of engine compartment leakage. Another one that is popping up a lot lately is the hole cut in the cowl for the oil pressure sensor replacement. Some people dont think resealing the hole is necessary.
BC
BC
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
I am having the SAME EXACT problem. I have LG long tubes, no cats and a corsa catback.
When I am driving there is no odor, but when I am stopped I can smell exhaust. When I have the heat/AC on, it is so bad, I have to keep the windows down.
My family owns a Chevy dealership, and the service manager said it sounds like I have an exhaust leak (possibly the headers, either they are cracked or the gasket is bad). I am going to put it on the lift Monday and see if I can isolate a leak somewhere.
The smell is so bad with the heat on, and I drove it lastnight (the temp was 40*) so I had to have the heat on, and everytime I stopped, I started to get dizzy.
There is no way its coming from the rear of the car, I think this because when the heat is on its really bad, and when its off its not bad at all (but I can still smell it).
Oh, and when I let the car sit for a few days/weeks, and I get in it still smells like exhaust. I just hope I dont have to drop the headers, but I think I may just to replace the gaskets and check for cracks.
When I am driving there is no odor, but when I am stopped I can smell exhaust. When I have the heat/AC on, it is so bad, I have to keep the windows down.
My family owns a Chevy dealership, and the service manager said it sounds like I have an exhaust leak (possibly the headers, either they are cracked or the gasket is bad). I am going to put it on the lift Monday and see if I can isolate a leak somewhere.
The smell is so bad with the heat on, and I drove it lastnight (the temp was 40*) so I had to have the heat on, and everytime I stopped, I started to get dizzy.
There is no way its coming from the rear of the car, I think this because when the heat is on its really bad, and when its off its not bad at all (but I can still smell it).
Oh, and when I let the car sit for a few days/weeks, and I get in it still smells like exhaust. I just hope I dont have to drop the headers, but I think I may just to replace the gaskets and check for cracks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I am having the SAME EXACT problem. I have LG long tubes, no cats and a corsa catback.
When I am driving there is no odor, but when I am stopped I can smell exhaust. When I have the heat/AC on, it is so bad, I have to keep the windows down.
My family owns a Chevy dealership, and the service manager said it sounds like I have an exhaust leak (possibly the headers, either they are cracked or the gasket is bad). I am going to put it on the lift Monday and see if I can isolate a leak somewhere.
The smell is so bad with the heat on, and I drove it lastnight (the temp was 40*) so I had to have the heat on, and everytime I stopped, I started to get dizzy.
There is no way its coming from the rear of the car, I think this because when the heat is on its really bad, and when its off its not bad at all (but I can still smell it).
Oh, and when I let the car sit for a few days/weeks, and I get in it still smells like exhaust. I just hope I dont have to drop the headers, but I think I may just to replace the gaskets and check for cracks.
When I am driving there is no odor, but when I am stopped I can smell exhaust. When I have the heat/AC on, it is so bad, I have to keep the windows down.
My family owns a Chevy dealership, and the service manager said it sounds like I have an exhaust leak (possibly the headers, either they are cracked or the gasket is bad). I am going to put it on the lift Monday and see if I can isolate a leak somewhere.
The smell is so bad with the heat on, and I drove it lastnight (the temp was 40*) so I had to have the heat on, and everytime I stopped, I started to get dizzy.
There is no way its coming from the rear of the car, I think this because when the heat is on its really bad, and when its off its not bad at all (but I can still smell it).
Oh, and when I let the car sit for a few days/weeks, and I get in it still smells like exhaust. I just hope I dont have to drop the headers, but I think I may just to replace the gaskets and check for cracks.
Switch your HVAC system to RECIRCULATE (that prevents the HVAC system from taking air from the cowl area) and see if the pronlem is better.
Please let us know what you fine out.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Mar 14, 2009 at 09:57 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
Well I am having my problem fixed as we speak. My header collector was leaking pretty bad. I put it on the lift with the car running, and got under it and its leaking so bad that you can feel and hear it. Its getting welded right now. I am going to see if that corrects the problem (which I am 99% sure it will) and then I will look into replacing that seal.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 12
From: Houston Tx
Like previously stated, the rubber gasket/seal that is inplace on the windshield cowl, MUST be in good condition and seal all the way across the hood area. The trough below that windshield cowl serves as a drain AND the fresh air inlet for your HVAC system. If that gasket is compromised, your going to pull heat and fumes from the engine compartment into the cabin.
Switch your HVAC system to RECIRCULATE (that prevents the HVAC system from taking air from the cowl area) and see if the pronlem is better.
Please let us know what you fine out.
BC
Switch your HVAC system to RECIRCULATE (that prevents the HVAC system from taking air from the cowl area) and see if the pronlem is better.
Please let us know what you fine out.
BC
My car has the same problem. Same setup as the guy you quoted. When I first did the install it didn't do it. Could my header gasket be bad? I even went and bought exhaust repair stuff and unbolted all the clamps, wrapped the strips around the exhaust connectors and reclamped it down. Still the same problem. Would a P1416 code do this as well?
