Header Debable! Need input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
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From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
Even with no cats, you shouldn't smell exhaust while driving. I don't smell anything idling either and I have a big cam - it'll make your eyes water if you stand behind the car, especially on a cold start, but that doesn't get into the car with the windows up.
Something else is going on.
I'd look into that rear hatch seal. I'm thinking you have a leak somewhere either in the exhaust or at the rear of the car. Exhaust leaks at joints manifest themselves by soot at the seams as well...look for that up on top as well. Your storage cubbies weren't cut out were they? A smoke machine would help in this analysis if you have one at your disposal...
I'm drawing a blank on location, or if I'm getting my cars confused, but isn't there a port on the rear pan with a flap on it, to allow air out when you shut the hatch...if that flap is missing for some reason, it'll let air back in that shouldn't get back in if my memory is correct...
Something else is going on.
I'd look into that rear hatch seal. I'm thinking you have a leak somewhere either in the exhaust or at the rear of the car. Exhaust leaks at joints manifest themselves by soot at the seams as well...look for that up on top as well. Your storage cubbies weren't cut out were they? A smoke machine would help in this analysis if you have one at your disposal...
I'm drawing a blank on location, or if I'm getting my cars confused, but isn't there a port on the rear pan with a flap on it, to allow air out when you shut the hatch...if that flap is missing for some reason, it'll let air back in that shouldn't get back in if my memory is correct...
One thing to note as well is that even with his bone stock exhaust on, you would get an odor in the car after going wot even at high speeds. It wasn't nearly as bad as this odor, but I think it indicates the car has an issue sealing exhaust gasses out of it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks, we will check that!
One thing to note as well is that even with his bone stock exhaust on, you would get an odor in the car after going wot even at high speeds. It wasn't nearly as bad as this odor, but I think it indicates the car has an issue sealing exhaust gasses out of it.
One thing to note as well is that even with his bone stock exhaust on, you would get an odor in the car after going wot even at high speeds. It wasn't nearly as bad as this odor, but I think it indicates the car has an issue sealing exhaust gasses out of it.
Stock manifolds and cats will produce stink when you go WOT and it hits open loop 11.5 afr. You've smelled this from cars in front of you if they get on it.
You should never smell this in the car from your own car so you've got something going on there. I don't think the shifter boot will do it unless you've got a major leak at the header collector... which you must not have or you wouldn't have gotten it tuned so tight...a collector leak wreaks havoc trying to tune idle and part throttle.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
You've got a hole somewhere in your rear hatch area. Was the car ever wrecked? That tub in the back is a big one piece tub so it shouldn't leak unless the seal is broken or there's a hole in it as I posted.
Stock manifolds and cats will produce stink when you go WOT and it hits open loop 11.5 afr. You've smelled this from cars in front of you if they get on it.
You should never smell this in the car from your own car so you've got something going on there. I don't think the shifter boot will do it unless you've got a major leak at the header collector... which you must not have or you wouldn't have gotten it tuned so tight...a collector leak wreaks havoc trying to tune idle and part throttle.
Stock manifolds and cats will produce stink when you go WOT and it hits open loop 11.5 afr. You've smelled this from cars in front of you if they get on it.
You should never smell this in the car from your own car so you've got something going on there. I don't think the shifter boot will do it unless you've got a major leak at the header collector... which you must not have or you wouldn't have gotten it tuned so tight...a collector leak wreaks havoc trying to tune idle and part throttle.
Yeah both 02s were switching well, so not indicative of a leak around that area. Plus they are ball->flange connections, which generally do not leak.
Last edited by mchicia1; Oct 28, 2015 at 10:08 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
You're right about that, American Racing uses the best collector connections in the business. I love those connectors, it makes any maintenance on the car so easy...unlike some other connector designs.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 517
Likes: 27
Well....I checked all my hatch seals and treated them with the gm stuff. Also temporarily plugged up the 4 drainage ports around the hatch. Still coming into car with windows open any amount. If I close the windows and run recirc. it is better. However, there is always a puff of smell coming in on every startup...even with the windows closed....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Do you have access to a smoke machine? Matter of fact, I saw some at Party City for Halloween...I'd suggest you get one and fill the car with smoke and see where it starts coming out...you might need to turn the air on low and outside air to get it to start coming out...
You've either got a massive exhaust leak before the mufflers or a hole in your car somewhere.
You've either got a massive exhaust leak before the mufflers or a hole in your car somewhere.
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