What stinks? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Wallknight · #1 04-14-2003, 04:27 PM

Hello folks,
Since I got my car over a year ago, there has been a smell of something burning (oil, most likely) present in the car when driving. I've been on an obsessive hunt for every oil leak for the past few months, and I think I"ve got them, but it still smells like oil burning.

Here's the thing: If I have the windows up and the heater fan on, it doesnt usually smell (positive cabin pressure?). With any window down even slightly, or the fan not on, and the smell is present. Engine off, no smell.

What else could this be? I think the rearmost muffler has a hole at the front side, which I"m about to fix. Could exhaust be coming up through the trunk into the cabin? Yet it doesnt smell like exhaust... Any ideas?

leathermang · #2 04-14-2003, 04:31 PM

Try putting an extra gasket under your oil filler cap.... that is easy place to start...

Wallknight · #3 04-14-2003, 04:46 PM

When I got the car, that cap was leaking. Put a new one on, no more leaks. Could any gases pass by without a whole lot of oil also leaking out?

lrg · #4 04-14-2003, 11:17 PM

I had an exhaust leak on my wagon that got sucked into the car everytime I opened a window or the sunroof. It was the same location, front of the front muffler. The smell though was exhaust, not burning oil. You may also have a drip from the tranny or turbo that is hitting the exhaust and burning so it's not oily looking. You can usually see the residue of burned oil if you look carefully enough.

Wallknight · #5 04-15-2003, 12:22 PM

Thanks IRG.

I just noticed this morning a leak in one of the exhaust joints just above the front muffler. There are some advantages to heavy smoking when cold!!

Brad123D · #6 04-16-2003, 02:02 AM

Wallknight,
I think battery acid can sometimes put a hole in the firewall under/behind the battery tray thus allowing fumes to enter the passenger compartment. Have you checked this already ?

Wallknight · #7 04-17-2003, 12:02 PM

No. Good Idea. I'll check it out soon. thanks!

floydo · #8 05-01-2003, 03:03 PM

lrg,
I have the exact same problem you described. Now that the weather's nice and I open the window or the sunroof I smell exhaust. I've looked at my muffler and exhaust system and I can't see any holes. But the whole rig does seem to ride pretty low beneath the car. Could there be a leak big enough to smell but too small to be easily seen?
floydo

lrg · #9 05-01-2003, 03:58 PM

Floydo,

My leak was on the top of the front silencer where the metal was crimped and was almost impossible to see. I actually felt it by getting under the car with the engine running and feeling around the silencer. I could feel the exhaust as I got my hand near and when I really looked I could see telltale signs of soot in the vicinity of the hole. Obviously, be carefull getting under the car with the engine going and it's best doing this when the exhaust is cold.

LRG

Wallknight · #10 05-03-2003, 12:07 PM

I have neither the time nor money to fix the exhaust system for the next few weeks. So, here is my application for the cheapskate of the week award:

Apparently, the leak into the cabin was the boot on the shift lever. I could feel air being sucked through it with the windows opened. So, I stuffed paper towels all around it, and viola!! no more stink (ok, 95% less stink)!