Help!!! (w140) has exhaust fumes in cabin & trunk
 

Thanking everyone in advance for their PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE help in maintaining my 1993 400sel.

SITUATION: Last week I had a MAJOR tuneup (wires, plugs, fuel filter, air filter, rotors and caps)

PROBLEM: Since the tuneup, I have HEAVY exhaust fumes coming into the cabin and today (3/12/04); I notice them in the trunk. As a result, I'm experience major headaces.

ANY IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS: confused:

Can you say exhaust system!! Have it checked. Something is bad or loose.

Thanks N Hodges,

I went to a muffler shop yesterday and they were not able to detect any leaks; however, because I detected fumes in the trunk, I will revisit them.

Make sure the exhaust manifold bolts are tight and that there are no leaks at the manifold pipe joint.

Is there a ticking sound similar to a bad lifter?

Thanks Warren,

There is a ticking sound!!! What do you think???

Sounds like you need to tighten the exhaust pipe connection to the exhaust manifold, and may need a new gasket also. As far as I know that's typically a gasketed connection.

Thanks Fred,

In a previous response above from Warren, he mentioned a ticking sound; do you know what he's talking about???

CHECK TO SEE IF THE TRUNK IS CLOSING TIGHTLY. THE A/C OR
HEATER COULD DRAW THE FUMES IN THRU THE TRUNK

Thanks rhgtara@localne,

I will check; assuming that it closes tightly, any other suggestions???

Are you sure it is exhaust?

If there is any kind of petro-base fluid leak that gets on a hot component it will burn, get sucked into the cabin ventiallation system ans stink.

Did the valve covers get removed? Could oil have dripped down?

Is there any other sign of leakage, such as the trans pan?

The fact that you smell it in the trunk is a good indication that the fumes are moving through the car.

Haasman

Thanks Haasman,

When I took it to the muffler guys, they said that it was exhaust and they throught that it was burning rich. He suggested that I have the underside cleaned since I had an oil leak and also accidently spilled transmission oil while filling.

400SEL, I associated the ticking sound to leaking exhaust at the exhaust header to exhaust pipe connection since you indicated that exhaust fumes were entering your car. Of course if the ticking sound has existed for some time it could be various engine noises. Haasman's explanation makes the most sense, particularly since you spilled transmission fluid recently. It helps to mention those little details when asking for a diagnosis.