Hello everyone,

I have a weird smell coming from my car, everytime I take it to mid/high rpm's the car emits a strong exhaust odor from inside the car. When I let off the pedal, the smell goes away. I'm thinking it might be the clutch, but its seems to be working fine (no slipping).

Anyone know what could be causing this odor? I have 27000 miles, and completely stock.

Thanks, Dave

 

maybe exhaust gas? clutch is a very distinct smell.

 

Almost a 100% guarentee it's the exhaust, if it was clutch, you'd barf, clutch smells REALLY bad, exhaust is just kind of like "what the heck is that smell?" And secondly, mine does it too, but I'm catless

 

Could it be an exhaust leak? If so it might be a big exhaust leak to be smelling inside the cabin. I was also thinking it might be my manifold gasket going out.....???? Who knows it can be alot of things....

Funny thing is when my car was modded it didn't create any wierd smells. What gives?!?!?!?

 

If you have the stock cat on the car that will make it stinky.

 

Stock cat will make my car smell? For reals?!?!?! Well anyhow the car started smellng really bad going on the on ramp with 4 people in the car including me. The smell went away right after i let off the gas. This is pissing me off!!! Went to the dealer and they told me that the clutch is going out. They tried to recreate the problem but it wouldn't smell! Man this sux. I might have to just call up a local shop that knows wtf it is. I should check out my muffler and see if there is any leaks. Thanks for the advice guys. Keep em coming!

 

BS. Not true.

 

Better get it checked out, don't want to get CO poisoning.

 

Yeah telling me. THe exhaust gas is overwhelming. The smell is really distinct. Sorta smells sweet. Not sweet in i like it.

 

i dunno if this will help but my buddy just traded in his 04 specV because of a bad exhaust smell. the service tech told him it was because of the first cat deteriorating, letting more unfiltered gas pass through. the guy also told him he has had to replace some engines in cars with the precat because when it starts deteriorating inside,pieces get pulled back into the engine and scoring the cylinder walls or worse. BTW, my buddy was having this happen when he was on his second engine in his 24,000 mile car.

 

Does it smell like rotton eggs or sulfurish? Then I would believe its the exhaust.

 

Dave. i have about the same milage on my car and notice the same thing if im in boost i get the same thing its not the clutch or not in mine i have a new act street clutch im thinkn i have an exaust leak some where soon as it gets warmer out im going to check it out cuz i dont feel like buying more propain / kerocene since warm weather is hopefully around the corner


somone said something about a sweet smell iv narrowed that down to being the IC spray with windshiedl washing fluid

 

I have the same problem...

First off, it is your exhaust, not the clutch
Second, it could be a couple places:

A. it could be at the donut gasket that connects the dp to the o2 housing. When the motor is under torque, the motor will flex back towards the firewall. If you can imagine the turbo/o2 housing as mounted solid to the motor, then it will torque back as well. The donut gasket/spring assembly is designed to flex, as a hinge. now lets say that your cat may be slightly clogged from running factory rich for so long, not you have additional restriction in your exhaust system, which increases exhaust pressure. combine that with an already flexed/stressed dp/o2 gasket, and you have the recipe for an exhaust leak.

B. it could be a leak at the flex section in the dp which is only exposed when the motor is torqued back (see above), and it's "stretching" the flex section.

C. failing gasket from the end of the dp to the cat, or after the cat to the cat-back.

My solution: buy an aftermarket turboback, and make sure it's got a flex section at the dp. solves all the above.

 

You say you were modded and then went back to stock?
If you pulled exhaust on and off and didnt install new gaskets, you more than likely have an exhaust leak.
Its easy to find out , just start your car when its cold and before it has a chance to heat up run your hand across all the flanges. You will be be able to feel the air escaping around the connection.
I had the same problem when I installed my test pipe without doing the gaskets. It leaked and smelled like crap. Threw on some new gaskets and problem solved.

 

About to go to the dealer right now. I'm gonna have them check out the exhaust system and make sure there is no leak/bad gaskets or a bad cat. I will let you guys know the results. Thanks for all the help.