SKI Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Since having my car decatted, I've noticed a smell of fumes in my car whilst driving. Has anyone else encountered this. I am concerned that carbon monoxide (which obviously has no smell and is usually removed by the cat) might be entering the car as well, I've noticed that I've had more headaches recently and wondered if that was the reason. Would appreciate it if anyone could put my mind to rest on this one, or has experienced a similar situation. Would be gutted if my performance mod was slowly gassing me It may also be interesting to note that, carbon monoxide has a higher capacity to bind the haemoglobin in red blood cells than oxygen, as a result exposure can cause all kinds of ailments from simple tiredness whilst driving to heart disease, and since previously stated the gas is odourless it would be an undetected occurrence. Presumably, if others with decats can also smell fumes then carbon monoxide is also present as a by product, any thoughts much appreciated. Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mawby Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 If the exhaust is leaking at any point in the system then this could cause exhaust fumes to enter the cabin, regardless of the car having the cats removed. Have you listened along the length of the exhaust for any leaks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 25, 2004 Author Share Posted June 25, 2004 I have some time over the weekend I'll have a listen, my decat pipe is a 3" from Megan racing, it doesn't have the same clearance as thw C.W pipe and catches when I drive in and out of my drive. Is it possible that ths could damage the gaskets, maybe cause a leak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mawby Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Originally posted by SKI it doesn't have the same clearance as thw C.W pipe and catches when I drive in and out of my drive. Is it possible that ths could damage the gaskets, maybe cause a leak? It's certainly a possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Have a look around the manifold - playing with the system may have losened it or caused a leak. Thinking about it - there is no obvious route for fumes to travel from the underside of your car - into the cabin. Especially when you are moving and there is a stron airflow. It sounds like the fumes are probably coming in throught the vents from the engine bay. Just a thought mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Block the tailpipe up with an old wet towel with engine idling. Get someone to listen for leaks. If the system is gas tight it should stop he engine after a few seconds. Any leaks will be audible too. It's possible grounding has cracked or damaged something. Poor tail gate seals or fit will allow fumes in too. Wasn't your car rear damaged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 25, 2004 Author Share Posted June 25, 2004 Thanks Red, that's a good tip, I'm not much up on the mechanical side (fitting a bov was my limit), do I need to check for anything in particular or is it simply a case of lifting the hood and looking around, any tips on where to start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 25, 2004 Author Share Posted June 25, 2004 Yeah, some guy left his handbrake off and hit the rear of my car. Thanks for the advice Chris, hope I haven't done anything too serious. Will try your suggestion after work tonight, cheers M8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith C Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Do you have a UK-spec? It might be a leaking EGR system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 25, 2004 Author Share Posted June 25, 2004 Yeah it's UK spec, can I test for this easily! (not the spec.... the EGR leak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith C Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 Originally posted by SKI Yeah it's UK spec, can I test for this easily! (not the spec.... the EGR leak Top of the engine, at the back, on the right hand side (looking from the front) there's a sort of 'flying saucer' type thingy with a hose going into the bottom of it. This is part of the EGR, and the hose that goes into the bottom was leaking on mine. If you're not sure where I mean let me know and I'll take a photo tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul -C- Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 To be double sure you could buy a carbon monoxide detecter (its like a smoke detector) and leave it in the car with you for a while. After you're done with it you can fit it in your house. I don't think they're expensive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 I had the symptoms you described at the top years ago in a citroen jobby. It turned out to be none other than a loose exhaust manifold to downpipe nut allowing exhaust gases out. I was having stinker headaches and the likes for a few weeks before i accredited it to the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 26, 2004 Author Share Posted June 26, 2004 Thanks for all the advice guys... I think they sell cheepish CO detectors in Maplin good idea dude! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 26, 2004 Share Posted June 26, 2004 Originally posted by SKI Thanks for all the advice guys... I think they sell cheepish CO detectors in Maplin good idea dude! B&Q sell them for less than £6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted June 26, 2004 Share Posted June 26, 2004 Yeah them ones that are cheap are just stickery things that change colour. I have one that looks just like a smoke alarm and was about £25. If you suspect your car is leaking co in get one and when you have finished with it in the car stick it in your house near your gas fire or boiler for extra safety in your house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul -C- Posted June 26, 2004 Share Posted June 26, 2004 Originally posted by dangerous brain when you have finished with it in the car stick it in your house near your gas fire or boiler for extra safety in your house. I've been meaning to buy one for my house. For the price it's a great safety measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKI Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 As luck would have it my brother had bought a sensor from British gas so I'm gonna' run that for a few days inside the car and see how it goes. The guy who fitted my downpipe had a look underneath for me yesterday, he's tightened all the bolts at the gaskets and mainfold so hopefully that will do it, there didn't appear to be any cracks or anything untoward in the exhaust just some scratches along the decat pipe. Initiall signs with the sensor are good it's not triggered yet, I tested to see if it was working by holding at the exhaust mouth, suprisingly it took about 2 minutes to go off. It seems like that may have done it... Thanks for all your advice on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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