Hi all,

I'm running a Powerlab single turbo on my 2005 Z, I get a strong exhaust smell with the windows down, and only with the windows down. I had Crawford Z Car check the system for leaks, didn't find anything. Where else could this smell come from? I have a old metal core Vibrant cat that I'll be cutting and re-welding the newer GESI cat into to downpipe, but I'm afraid that won't really stop the issue, just knock some stank down.

Any ideas where it could be coming in with windows down outside of an exhaust leak?

 

it is there when the windows are up, but since they are you dont smell it

 

It's the performance fragrance, get used to it.

On a more serious note, it can be much worse if you have an exhaust leak towards the front of the car. For example when I had a custom exhaust that dumped right before the drivers seat front area wise, it would reak really bad as it would come from under the car out the sides, and into my open window if I was cruising. I'd come home red eyed and highly flammable. A long as you got a leak-less system all the way out rear, at least your dumping the fumes on other drivers for the most part, your just collateral damage at that point and mercy to the winds.

 

You sure it's exhaust and not gas? Check for leaking fuel lines or injectors.

 

You don't need an exhaust leak to smell like the race track. If the wind is right, and you are at a traffic light it'll get in the cabin in a hurry with the windows down. It is especially noticeable if you are backing up, and the windows are down.

This was my solution:








These are two Mill-spec 100 cell 3" converters. Took care of the problem, without much sacrifice. I din't want to put just one in, as it would restrict flow more than I like.


I had made another for a customer using Vibrant Performance converters...these were not cheap:

 

It's don't think it is fuel, although now I think I have something going on with my return system or fuel filler, bad fuel smell after parking. I'll have to get it checked.

 

not to be a jerk...... but OP ....read your post.

you don't think it's fuel.......but now there is a bad fuel smell?

I heard a place called Carma Performance was pretty good in Nash.

 

the fuel smell is different than the exhaust smell. I have 2 issues.

There are a couple Z guys around here, Crawford and Z Cars by Z Crawford near Renntag, i'll see who might be more familiar. Crawford already looked at it for exhaust leaks and said it was good, no one looked for the separate fuel smell, coming from the right rear.

 

Could be evap canister issue. But if you don't have cats, it's going to smell like fuel, because unburnt fuel is coming out the tail pipes!

 

it's concentrated in the right rear and I get a burst of it in the car when driving now. I also get smell when filling up that i don't get from my other cars.

I'm going to address this fuel issue smell first. looks like the evap can is near the right rear as well...maybe the filter is bad or hose is off.

 

It is your exhaust...trust me. Just like rcdash said, you have unburnt fuel in your exhaust, and it has to evaporate...only way out is through the tail pipe.

 

Is your tune mad rich?

How new is the kit? Maybe new parts warming up for the first time?

 

I've had the kit on the car for about 8 years, it's not new pipe smell.

I can't bite on the fuel in the pipes just yet, it has a vibrant cat on it, dual exit GReddy exhaust and the smell is coming out of the right rear wheel well the most.

I'll be taking it in within the next couple weeks, I barely drive it now anyways with my new toy in the stable.

 

I wonder if your vent control valve is stuck open. I would say have someone smoke test your evap system with the valve commanded closed to see if it leaks, but it's probably cheaper to just buy a new valve.