Exhause smell in car

Tiny
SIXSON63
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,600 MILES
I have a 2003 Alero with 145K miles. About 25K miles ago I started smelling exhaust in the car when stopped at a light or stop sign. I don't notice any performance problems, fuel mileage is excellent, and I don't hear any excessive exhaust noise when accelerating. Any ideas?
Saturday, March 12th, 2011 AT 4:18 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
If you smell it in the car, check for exhaust manifold leaks. Also, check for leaks after the muffler if there has been no change in sound.
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Thursday, April 7th, 2011 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
SIXSON63
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks. There has been no change in sound, the manifold was my first guess as well, but again, no change in sound. When I put the ventilation on recirculate the exhaust smell goes away. Anything else I should look at?
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Thursday, April 7th, 2011 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
Keep in mind, a manifold leak will most likely make a slight ticking sound. Also, check to make sure there are no leaks near the Y-pipe and the EGR. We own an expedition that was doing the same thing. My wife drives it. She smelled exhaust just as you described, but she never told me she heard a slight ticking sound in the AM, It was a cracked manifold.

Let me know what you find.
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Friday, April 8th, 2011 AT 2:19 AM

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