Exhaust stink in cockpit

[bigjones]

Doesn't smell like gasoline - just a horrible exhaust type of smell. Not all the time but when it is there it is BAD. Reminds me of when I used the Corolla liftback to haul stuff with the hatch open. I couldn't open the windows funnily enough because the exhaust fumes got sucked in.

I've had this car for over 10 years and it has just appeared.

Things I've done recently:
Replaced ZS with HS4.
Removed (non-functional) EGR valve - tightly plugged hole with nut.
Plugged hole in intake manifold with nut.
Installed bigger heat shield.

Could the stench be caused by an incorrect fuel/ mixture ie running too rich?
This is very strange - the ZS (22mpg) was running slightly rich but there was never this smell before.
Can't smell much under the hood with the engine running

 

[DrEntropy]

Put an obstruction on the tailpipe when it's running and listen for leaks further up the system. A S.O. sitting demurely on her derriere onna floor with a Nike'd foot covering the pipe end works in a pinch. :wink:

 

[bigjones]

Doc,
Good idea!
Not sure of the wife's participation after the brake bleeding session a while ago.
Will report back.
Cheers

 

[bigjones]

Do you think this has something to do with it? Ha!
Well, I went out to try Doc's suggestion to find the exhuast tip missing - prolly rusted up and fell off some place!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

That'd do it! :wink:

 

[jlaird]

At least it was easy to find and you don't need to pull the engine.

 

[scoutll]

Mo Debnely be da prollum!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

RE. the EGR Valve plugged up and bypassed you mentioned. So I'm guessing you've suddenly developed an oil leak as well...

 

[DrEntropy]

I guess we call THIS mystery solved. :wink:

 

[bugimike]

Looks like a good candidate for a Harley muffler!! :wink:

 

[Sarastro]

Check around the rest of the exhaust system, too. If that part is so rusted, more could be bad as well.

 

[bigjones]

Mike,
Yeah, I was excited to find on my local CraigsList a pair of stock Harley mufflers - I was planning on trying one of them out on my TR3 as well(which is becoming too loud for me). Anyways the guy got back to me this morning and wants $75 for them - which is too much.
There is a Harley dealership in the big city - the last time I was in there it was more like a boutique than a bike shop. Kinda difficult to go in scrounging for cast off parts. I'll keep an eye on Ebay for a set.
I'm not in any hurry - I've "borrowed" the exhaust from my '70 Midget.

Note: old and new pipe is "connected" with a short piece of 1.5" ID pipe I got from FLAPS. I was planning on putting in two self-tapping screws (one already installed). Now I'm nervous this may not hold them together. It was a loose fit onto both pipes.
Back support is the existing hard "rubber" that can flap around:

Maybe I need a couple of those C clamps on the connecting piece - whadya think?

Cheers

Steve, Thanks for the warning - the rest of the system looks good.

 

[bgbassplyr]

Install 3 screws on each end of the connector, one on the bottom, one on each side at least 90 degrees apart. Four would be better if you can get one on the top of the pipe. That should be enough to hold it all together for a while. Use large enough fastener not to have a failure of the fastener. 3/8" long x 1/4" dia. TEK self drilling fastener would be the minimum. Available at all the big box hardware outlets, and the smaller ones, too.

 

[bigjones]

Jim,
Sounds good - will do - thanks for posting.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Or better yet stop by the local Muffler Shop and ask them to tack weld it together for you. Will be $20 well spent and you won't need to worry about it coming apart. A 5 minute job for them.

 

[bigjones]

Uh, oh. Too late.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Necessity is the mother...It works, just drive fast.

 

[Nelson]

What would be wrong with just hacksawing a slot on each end and using a pair of regular muffler clamps??

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Unless welded vibration tends to make these things come apart no matter how tightly they are clamped.
when I added the Harley Muffler to Bugsy needed several connectors to get pipe to the correct ID. Tightened real tight but still worked it's way loose every few weeks. Three tacks and no more problem for the last two years.

 

[Guest]

What would be wrong with just hacksawing a slot on each end and using a pair of regular muffler clamps??

Nothing, you don't even have to hacksaw it as the clamps are made to squeeze the pipe down and seal.