Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-26-2017, 04:10 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Garage
Question Exhaust in the cabin

I am experiencing an issue which is confounding me and my local Porsche-centric indy. I am frustrated, really hoping the collective wisdom and problem solving of this group can solve the mystery.

The problem: Extremely strong exhaust smell in the cabin, even with the top down. It is so strong I cannot drive the car. After driving and parking the car the smell is very strong near the air intake vents. There is no smell at the exhaust tips. It is possible the smell is not exhaust but something else burning.

Background: I've had the car for 4.5 years. The issue started after the catalytic converters were replaced several months ago. I returned the car to the indy and he thoroughly inspected the car after i encountered the exhaust in the cabin. He found nothing from replacing the cats that would have caused this. Another variable which may or may not be a contributing factor, around the same time the cats were replaced the oil was changed and the oil level was to the max. I was concerned that this may have been the cause. My indy checked the AOS and said it was fine.

I will be grateful for any insights

507fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 05:57 PM   #2
Registered User
 
steved0x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: FL
Posts: 4,143
I don't know how exhaust could get in the cabin, but in addition to the smell, have you had any headaches or disorientation while driving? Before driving any more you might want to see what is available in the way of portable carbon monoxide detectors to take in the car with you.
steved0x is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 07:04 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: New Hope, PA
Posts: 191
If you bring me the car I'll give it a smell test. Might be something getting too hot.
CBRacerX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 07:36 AM   #4
I am my own mechanic....
 
Timco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
I'll bet some PS or oil leak.
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
Timco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 07:50 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Garage
Thanks. Doesn't smell like burning oil. No idea what burning PS smells like.
507fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 08:01 AM   #6
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
The only way exhaust could get into the cabin would be if either engine cover were not tight and sealed.
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 10:42 AM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Fulshear, TX
Posts: 266
Quote:
Originally Posted by particlewave View Post
The only way exhaust could get into the cabin would be if either engine cover were not tight and sealed.
Or if the car were a Corvair
dsallean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 10:53 AM   #8
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
The good thing about a scent is that it can be tracked down...

Does the odor occur while the car is stationary or when its moving? Or both?

You say that there is no odor from the exhaust tips yet there is a strong smell in the interior. Remove the engine cover to see if that re-creates the odor? If so, the engine cover may not be sealing properly.

Do the same for the front engine cover behind the seats? Same odor when removed? Might not be sealing properly.

Lay on the ground next to the car by the doors when the engine is idling - any odor? Might be an exhaust leak from the exhaust manifold or exhaust system.

A little detective work should be able to identify the source.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2017, 06:31 PM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Garage
Thank you for your thoughts and comments. Sorry for the delay, life and work...So, I have some interesting updates. The fumes were stronger on the driver's side than passenger in the cabin. But, the fumes were nonexistent on the driver's side intake and tailpipes. Extremely strong at the passenger's side intake. While on the way back to the indy it threw a CEL with a ton of codes. Indy opened the top of the engine to discover that there had been a fire. In retrospect, i can tell you when the fire occurred. It was a week or two before i originally posted. The fumes were present for months and several hours of drive time prior to the fire. I do not think the fire was the cause of the fumes. I believe the source of the fumes may point to what caused the fire.
Has anyone heard of a Boxster catching on fire in this manner? Any thoughts on the cause?
507fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2017, 04:22 AM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Stow, MA
Posts: 918
Garage
What was it that caught fire? Mouse nest? Oil drip? Gasoline leak?

__________________
2004 Boxster S Silver - FUNTOY
2002 Boxster Base Guardsy Red - FUNBOX
1987 Caterham Super 7 1700 Supersprint
2009 Mercedes Benz CLK 350 convertible
1941 Dodge Luxury Liner Coupe
Anker is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page