Really funny chemically exhausty smell!

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, a while ago I asked about how to refit an exhaust on here, and with your help I did it... but there is still a really bad exhaust type burning smell in the car - I even took it to millenium motors in Manchester today and they refitted the exhaust, no fumes coming out of there now... but still the smell. My exhaust, on the traveller, is a little short - it does not show from underneath... but I don't think it is that...

It is starting to make the car impossible to drive now with the fumes - bad throat etc...

What the hell can it be?

[Arthurdaily]

If it helps I did find one thing which seems like an oddity - this pipe thing is the crank case breather isn't it? The pipe runs from here to the side of the carb - however when I pulled it off it was very very oily inside, not dripping but certainly wet? Is this bad?[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

the exhaust fumes may be coming in through the back doors, i know others have had this problem

[Arthurdaily]

God, and how on Earth can I stop that?! lol - They have been refitted recently, they are no letting water in but... lol

[Arthurdaily]

Oh, and I notice that although there is that breather... I presume that is what it is... there seems to be no breather on top of the rocker cover? Would that acount for the smell???

But that would mean there should be two breathers yes? One from the crankcase and one from the rocker - the crankcase one goes to the carb at the moment, with nothing attached to the air filter?

Confusing - but might acount for the smell?

[aupickup]

it is better to have ethe type of carb with the breather , then nothing goes to the airfilter element clogging that up
best to have the rocker cover with the pipe thats for sure

and smoke and fumes can get in where water may not be able to

[David53]

The exhaust pipe MUST extend past the back of the car. Otherwise the fumes will be sucked up into the car by the movement of air underneath. I would say it is being sucked in through the back doors. Fir a tailpipe extension and all should be well

[welshrat]

So is the smell a smoke or chemical one? You could purchase a short chrome, down turned, exhaust finisher. This would push the pipe out past the doors on rear. If the smell is a chemical one check the battery out, mine was over heating and a eggy smell was comming through the bulkhead into the cab.

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I do have a carb with a breather - that picture is of my saloon actually, can you confirm that that sort of 'mini exhaust' I have circled in the picture is a crankcase breather? On my traveller that pipe does indeed go to my carb breather, through an inlet on the battery side of the carb. So, that is THAT breather, should there thus be a SECOND breather on the top of the rocker cover? If so the inlet on the carb is already taken...? So I'll have to attach it to the air filter yes?

SHOULD there be two breathers?

Point firmly taken about the exhaust - I'll measure up tomorrow to find out the dimensions needed and order one asap!

Thank you.

[Arthurdaily]

The smell is a sort of exhausty one I think...

[Arthurdaily]

Oh, and if I pull what I think is the crankcase breather off the carb the engine cuts out?

[chrisryder]

are there any manufacturers stickers on the exhaust, like on the silencer? some fool stuck a sticker on mine, and that gave an interesting burning smell.

i'd also check your gearstick gaiter, fumes can come up through there if it's split, or not screwed down well!

[kennatt]

all new exhughts smell for a while until the paints and whatever protective coating that was put on by the maunufacturer to prevent rusting whilst stored,burns off.Its a metalic smell rather then an exhaught gas smell.

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, it isn't a new exhaust though - will try exhaust extension and ensuring gear gatter are fine first.

[Arthurdaily]

Well, extension fitted so that although it doesn't direct fully down yet, it does at least extend to the bottom of the bumper, plus gaiter checked and screwed down tight... and when I open the windows especially... yes full of fumes! I just CAN'T work out where they are coming from!

It makes me want to sell the car!

[Arthurdaily]

Horrible acrid fumes - the engine bay smells too!

[DaisyMayFozz]

long shot, an oil leak dripping onto the exhaust?, check the exhaust for any waxyoil or anything else on it that might be burning?

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, thanks for that - but all cleani... well cleanish anyway! Just back from Kwik Fit and they say exhaust is fine and no leaks!

[MarkyB]

Short circuit somewhere inside the car?
That stinks then catches fire!

[Arthurdaily]

No, it is definately an 'engine' smell - It wafts in from the windows the worst, I kept the engine running today, and could smell it all under the car and round the back wheel arch on the near / exhaust side - but the exhaust now sticks a good three inches from under the car and tilts slightly down, I couldn't get a longer tail pipe...

I just don't know what to do - this is the family car and don't feel it is 'safe' to go out in at the moment. I think a Nissan Micra beckons!