When sitting at an idle the fresh air / ac system on my 56 SEL is sucking engine fumes heavily in to the cabin. Opening the windows or sunroof open only makes it worse. Engaging the recirculating air button on the dash makes no differnce either. I researched this site and looked at the EGR valve as one letter said , but mine is new, not soot covered & appears to be doing its job .I have a new exhaust system too, no audible leaks-very quiet. I taped over the vent betweeen the windshield and hood to see if that would stop the fumes, but its still bad. Does anyone know of any other vent openings for the air system that would be allowing the engines fumes in ?HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the exhaust system has been worked on recently, and the manifolds were off, I would take a close look at the manifold gaskets. Especially the first gasket on the left side or the last on the right(#% and #4 cyls). Very possible the gasket was installed 180* out which will allow exhaust to fill the engine bay and bleed into the cabin.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.