So according to most people who drive with me, my cars exhaust smells much rankier than most cars. Ive noticed it, but Ive probably gotten used to it. I had a Magnaflow cat installed about 7 months ago. It doesnt smell like normal exhaust, Im not sure how to describe it. With that limited information, anything be the cause of that or is that normal?

I'm not sure but since I put a catback on my exhaust is ripe too. Past my downpipe is a standard catalytic converter, a resonator and a cheap ebay high flow muffler. I had to mix a quart of rubbing alcohol to a full tank to pass smog in Ca.

need input.




what does it smell like? does it smell like you're following a redneck with too big of a carb and it's running pig rich? kind of a rubbing alcohol/gasoline/sooty smell that makes your nose hairs want to run away

does it smell sweet? does it smell dirty? does it smell like a diesel? does it smell like rotten eggs? does it smell like freshly fired fireworks?

if you can better pinpoint the smell I might be able to help you more

Its not a rich smell. Ive smelled that many times before. This is different. It ranges from the rotten egg smell which i assume is normal, to a smell that I can only describe as burnt. Is there a noticable smell when an engine runs lean? Im wondering if its my ECU messing everything up because it needs replaced.

My car smells like ass.... got used to it. Tell your friends it's some mod you did. Some very secret mod.

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick
I had a Magnaflow cat installed about 7 months ago.

Is it an actual cat? My guess is this is what is doing it. Upon removing my stock cat, the smell of my exhaust became quite pungent

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick
Is there a noticable smell when an engine runs lean?

I've noticed a distinct smell when my engine has been under very lean conditions for a few seconds, unfortunately I couldn't describe it to you.

Yeah its a real cat. Its full honeycombs and such. It is very hard to actually describe these smells though. I almost want to say it smells hot too but i dont know. I know for sure Im getting 2 new o2 sensors and putting the new ECU in. See if that doesnt do anything.

Just a shot in the dark here....are there any leaks around the gasket/flange connections anywhere throughout the exhaust system?

Im actually starting to think the manifold gasking is leaking because its starting to sound like a tractor. And I know for sure I have a small leak after my resonator.

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick
Im actually starting to think the manifold gasking is leaking because its starting to sound like a tractor. And I know for sure I have a small leak after my resonator.

Sounds like that is probably your culprit. Remember to verify gasket sizes in relation to your resonator and catback flange connections.

My exhaust has pretty much gone to shit and it reaks. I'd imagine if you sat in a garage with my car idling you would have carbon monoxide poisoning in less than half the time. It sucks.

Ill try changing the manifold gasket and see if it doesnt help. Im getting my exhaust worked on but Im not sure when.

well, it will be combustion issue....use your nose:

strong smell of exhaust is due to excesive unburned hydrocarbon(hc) emissions. Look for ignition fault, a Vacuum leak couldalso cause a lean misfire and cause excessive HC exhaust Emss'.
if your eyes start to burn or water, suspect excessive Oxides of nitrogen(NOx) emission. this gas with your moisture in the eyes will form a mild solution of nitric acid. the acid formation causes the eyes to burn and water. Excssive NOx exhaust caused by, A vacuum leak causing a higher than normal combustion chamber temp'. Also lack of proper amount of exhaust gas recirculation EGR. THis is usually noticed above idle on most vehicles.
Dizzy feeling or headache. to much (CO). Get into fresh air as soon as possible. To much of this gas probable an exessive rich air fuel mixture.

i recoment to take your car to exhaust analyzer. post the result i might can help.

thank

Thanks for the info that helps alot. Ive suspected the misfire was ignition related so this whole thing with my car is probably linked together.

rotten eggs or sulfurous smells can mean a faulty cat. sweet smells tend to be coolant.

good test for coolant is to pour a small bottle of rubbing alcohol into your coolant and run everything up to temp. take a good whiff of the exhaust, if you've got a bad HG the smell will bring tears to your eyes

Oh believe me, Ive smelled burning coolant before. I was like what the hell is this sweet smell? Then I got another car...

Im really hoping its not the cat. Its a magnaflow universal, so I wouldnt imagine its junk.

burning coolant usually smells like maple syrup.
Is there any smoke or anything of color coming from the exhaust?

Yeah but there always has been, even without the smell. Havent pinpointed the cause of that, but it will burn oil only if it sits and idles for a period of time. If Im driving it wont. But this doesnt smell like oil and is present even if its not burning it at the time.

Upon furter inspection, my exh. manifold gasket is gone. I open the hood when the car was running and could smell pure exhaust fumes, and could see/hear it leaking. So I will post my results after I change that gasket.

Well there's your problem right there.

Ok now Im a little pissed. I go to change out my gasket today, and noticed something. There are cracks in the welds that hold the flange to the exhaust runners on my header. Sure enough, its leaking from those. So now I have to take the header off my car and get them all welded up again, AFTER they were just ceramic coated a few months ago.

I hate my life..