Maybe a Weird Questions / Exhaust leak???

[Cudajason]

Ok guys, this may be a weird question or comment, but its driving me nuts.

I have had my car out a few times in the last week, and whenever I drive it, I find I feel, off, for lack of a better term.

I think exhaust is coming int the cabin and I am sucking in the fumes. 

The other thing I find is that I can almost feel the exhaust on my skin, I feel like it sticks to me, and I feel icky after driving it.

I have manifolds and full factory style exhaust system with turndowns at the mufflers (no cut out valance).

I do not have any singes of an exhaust leak at the manifolds, not tick tick etc.  I guess it could be coming from the joints throughout the system.

Do you think that is a possibility or am I crazy.  I want to enjoy driving my car, but it's hard when you don't feel good afterwards.

Other info, I have an AF sensor and the car is not running overly rich or lean, I spent a great amount of time tunning it so it runs properly.

I was thinking that I get under it and use a muffler tape on all the joints to ensure they are sealed?

Thoughts?

[Jay Bee]

I don't think you're nuts at all. No doubt you don't feel like that after driving your daily driver.

Any possible blow-by entering the cabin from the air vents. Maybe close all those (heater & fresh air) then see if it's the same.

[bdschnei]

Put a household CO detector in your car and see what it says.
Granted it won't pick up the hydrocarbons in the exhaust but you can usually tell they're present by their smell. Not so with CO.

[MoparLeo]

Why not buy a Carbon Monoxide detecter ? Aboutr $30. at the home centers.

[blown motor]

What you're feeling is obviously a guilt complex caused by taking the Cuda out and not inviting your buddies to cruise along with you.    Seriously, do a run with the windows up and then do one with the windows down and see if you notice any difference. If you are getting exhaust in the cabin I would think with the windows down it would be diluted to near nothing.

[Huskidrive]

I had the same problem with my Challenger. The exhaust was coming in from the trunk.I tried adjusting the trunk lid with no success. It turned out the repro rubber bumpers were a little to long.I cut them down and made sure the lid was tight all around the seal.....problem solved..

[Cudajason]

Winner winner chicken dinner.

Fired up the car to move it. Let it run for less than 5 min.

158 ppm and climbing. This is just at idle with the windows open. Light breeze. This is enough to set the CO2 alarm off after 10 mins. So not too good.

Sigh. Guess I better get under it and tape up the all the joints.

[jimynick]

Jason, how far back does the exhaust tip go? I read that you haven't got cutouts in your valance, so I'm guessing the tips are inboard of the valance? I'd tape over the trunk opening and run it, if for nothing to eliminate a variable. And I'd try your detector in the trunk itself. Does the reading grow only in the front seat? What's the reading with it in the rear seat? Good luck Sherlock. 

[blown motor]

Damn! I guess I'll have to find another way to guilt you into calling us for a run. Hey, glad you're getting it solved. The CO2 tester idea is a good one.

[Racer57]

Sounds like the fumes might be coming into your trunk. Maybe have your turndowns should be straight ?

[Cudajason]

Damn! I guess I'll have to find another way to guilt you into calling us for a run. Hey, glad you're getting it solved. The CO2 tester idea is a good one.

well just asking me would likely be enough.  Seriously though, let me get this fixed and we can plan something.

Jason, how far back does the exhaust tip go? I read that you haven't got cutouts in your valance, so I'm guessing the tips are inboard of the valance? I'd tape over the trunk opening and run it, if for nothing to eliminate a variable. And I'd try your detector in the trunk itself. Does the reading grow only in the front seat? What's the reading with it in the rear seat? Good luck Sherlock. 

the tips stick out a couple of inches under the valance.  The trunk seal is new, I had to pull the trunk open the other day as the sela was pretty stuck.

I wonder if it is coming up through the joints in the taillight panel...all that sealant is pretty old.  I am just surprised how quickly the Co2 monitor registered Co2 after starting the car.  Seems like it would need some time to come up through the car.

I will move the meter to the back seat tonight when I fire it back up.

Sounds like the fumes might be coming into your trunk. Maybe have your turndowns should be straight ?

There is no room to run them Stright. the turn downs come right of the mufflers.  the only way to change it would be to run the cut out valence.

[DeathProofCuda]

@Cudajason

Any updates on this???

[YellowThumper]

Trunk lid is a very usual suspect. Even as rubber is new, there could be an issue. As was suggested, tape it off and test.
Cowl vent is another prime spot as that is a direct path into cabin.
Do you have a cowl gasket? Does your hood stay slightly raised in the back? That would negate the seal.
Engine blowby is possible. Especially if you have open element breathers on valve covers.
Try taping plastic over the grates for another test.
Lastly tape the joints as you have suggested.
Good luck.

[Cudajason]

Trunk lid is a very usual suspect. Even as rubber is new, there could be an issue. As was suggested, tape it off and test.
Cowl vent is another prime spot as that is a direct path into cabin.
Do you have a cowl gasket? Does your hood stay slightly raised in the back? That would negate the seal.
Engine blowby is possible. Especially if you have open element breathers on valve covers.
Try taping plastic over the grates for another test.
Lastly tape the joints as you have suggested.
Good luck.

sorry for not responding earlier...life is crazy these days.

I do think it was coming up through the trunk floor...I hit all the seams with some flex seal, and it helped a lot. I might replace the taillight seals too, they are pretty old.

Either way I am out driving it and its better.


Great point on the cowls seal, yes I have one, yes its old and yes my hood stays slight raised at the back corners and yes I have open element valve cover breathers.  S, I am sure none of that helps.  I may have to look into fixing that too!

[JH27N0B]

My convertible has turndown mufflers and I get dose of exhaust when I take it out for a drive.  In fact, when I get home and open the garage door to back the car back into its space, I always turn on the the ceiling fan in my garage in preparation for getting the car inside.  After maneuvering the car to get it located just right in the garage, which involves getting out of the car a time or two and possibly moving it some more, I get a lungfull of exhaust.  That car is parked by the wall where the service door is, and I have to get the car positioned such that that door will swing fully open without hitting the car's fender!
After shutting down, I then head outside for fresh air and to let the garage defume for a bit before heading back in to get stuff out of the trunk and disconnect the battery and so on. 
After I get in the house, I notice my T shirt emits a bit of exhaust odor.
Probably not healthy, but on the other hand I'm only driving that car a couple dozen times a year and I don't see any way around it.  Hopefully that exposure won't end up killing me, it hasn't yet! I don't think there is any way to make the exhaust cleaner on vintage cars.
I don't smell any exhaust while out and about.  The only car of mine I ever experienced that with has been my T/A that has the exhaust tips located below and just behind the driver and passenger door, meaning the exhaust rises and enters the interior while stationary at a traffic light and such.