exhaust smell entering cabin

[LimoBob]

88 325i conv't, exhaust smell getting into vehicle with top up/closed. any suggestions as to where to start before I kill myself or my passengers? Any seals known to wear that would allow exhaust into vehicle, like a rear hatch seal on a 240Z car. Top is in pretty good shape!

[goarmy]

I wouldn't drive it until you find the leak. I remember a case some time ago in miami Fl. Two college students were in the car parked outside with the car running, while the exhaust leaking inside for a good amount of time and they were found dead with the car running.

I'd pull the carpet and check the rear strut tower.

[997_rich]

You sure it's just a problem with the body? most of the time you'll just find the exhaust pipe broken fore/aft of the cat connection especially if one of the exhaust hangers is broken and it puts weight on the center of the exhaust. Usually it's pretty far to the front of the exhaust chain if you can smell it in the cab. Car's aren't really "airtight" and they're not meant to be. the exhaust system is supposed to take the gasses out the back.

[LimoBob]

I only thought body (seal) cause from what I understand, exhaust swirls around rear pipe and can enter cabin through a worn seal, usually in the rear somewhere; esp if you crack a window. In the case of a cabrio, probably don't even have to crack a window cause there could be plenty of small air leaks.

[gtdragon980]

Well, if your exhaust is brand new with no leaks whatsoever, you shouldn't get an exhaust smell in the car. If the gases were circling around the car out the tail pipe, people would not be able to open their windows and drive because of the smell. I am sure that you have a leak in your exhaust somewhere in the middle of the car, causing that smell to rise up and seep in the car. That is usually the case!

[dnguyen1963]

Attach a small piece of napkin paper at the end of a stick. Have your car running and pass that stick along the exhaust. You can identify the leak very easily.

[oldmann]

Exhaust smell, or Engine, under hood smell?

There is seal around the steering shaft, where it goes through the firewall that can get torn up, and let in engine compartment, road smell.

Good luck

[DetailAddict]

+1

attach a small piece of napkin paper at the end of a stick. Have your car running and pass that stick along the exhaust. You can identify the leak very easily.

[LimoBob]

thank you for the tips and advice!

[808e30325i]

I had the same problem in my e30 m3, found out the trunk seal was crap. I replaced it and problem solved.

[einstein57]

A busted valve cover breather hose can do that.