exhaust leak in 240D
 

Hi all,
I went to see the Spurs play last night, and on the way
I hit a railroad track too hard and heard a squeaky crunchy sound (above and beyond the normal slight crunchy sound that remains an undiagnosed suspension problem).

Didn't notice it last night, but today, I can see exhaust fumes in the engine compartment and smell them in the cabin. The smell is diesel, not oil - smells like an airport.

I searched and found several threads related to exhaust leaks in turbos, but what should I look for/expect in the N/A?

Thanks!

If the exhaust leak is new, you should be experiencing a significant increase in NOISE. These cars are noisy already, but a leak under the hood is likely an exhaust manifold to head, or manifold to down pipe joint, leak. I don't think your vintage has an EGR line, so I think that is out of the question. Otherwise it is likely a downstream joint in the exhaust system that you need to get under the car to see. Jim

Get the hood open and start looking for soot marks around the exhaust. Soot mark=leak.

Manifold to head and manifold to down pipe joints are most likely places.

Check the flex pipe, should have one even though it's a non turbo.

Hmm, mine just has a straight downpipe....no flex pipe.

Today, I am not so sure about the leak. I don't see any soot marks, and I don't have an increase in noise. Also the smell is still there, but not as strong. Maybe I have a slight fuel leak that is hitting the block and burning.

Thanks everyone!