Twiztog43

iTrader: (15)

so recently i have started noticing fumes in the cabin, but im not sure what is causing it. searches have come close to what my situation is, but not exactly the same "smell"

ISSUE: when driving the car 5k-9k RPM i start to smell somewhat of a burning smell, or fumes coming from the AC vents. cant really describe it, but it smells toxic, it gives me headaches as well as burns my eyes, so i drive with the windows down and sun roof cracked open.

-smells regardless if the AC is on or not
-Definitely coming through the vents and not the shift boot
-Smells regardless if the AC is on Recirculate or not
-Smells when heater or AC is on

other things to note...

I am running a mid-pipe with a High Flow Metal Core cat, but the smell only started recently

there is no melted plastic stuck anywhere under the car

have NOT changed the Diff or Trans oil yet, so this is not applicable.

Have not changed the cabin filter, but i think in my case it would be negligible but will be purchasing one.

i am running the Sohn adapter, but i dont think this is the cause of the smell, since this was just recently, and i have had the adapter for a while now.

i was leaking coolant from a hose clamp that wasn't properly tightened. [the firewall padding soaked up all the leaking coolant] but i fixed that 3 weeks ago.



i am totally lost on what to do. i cant drive the car without getting a headache or burning eyes. and this is with the windows down.

any suggestions?

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

Eyes tearing up sounds like it could be a fuel leak. Has your fuel economy dropped? I would check around the injectors for any discoloration that could indicate a fuel leak. It's a real pain in the butt, but it's my best guess.

Twiztog43

iTrader: (15)

Now that u mentioned it, my economy has dropped. I can't give an accurate number, but 1/4 of a tank usually gets me 45-50

Now it's 35-45

Karack

sounds like an exhaust leak to me, somewhere precat.

check for codes.

metallic substrate cats also aren't know for efficiency, you will get burnt fuel smell when the engine is under a hard load, put the OEM cat back on and see if it goes away.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

yeah its a leak. get under there and make the gaskets are still on there, and make sure everythings tight.

Twiztog43

iTrader: (15)

Alright I'll do that!

Probably get some new gaskets

Twiztog43

iTrader: (15)

quick update

so i have checked the cat and made sure all the gaskets are in tact also torqued down the bolts for the midpipe.

yet when i had someone move my car, they can smell it as well, but it was only more prominent on the drivers side rather than the passenger side. [this was done when i moved the car a couple yards] but when i pop the hood, i cant really see anything out of the ordinary or smell the fumes i smell in the cabin when i had them rev the engine.