Exhaust smell in side the car

Jntm3 · 05-18-2012, 01:23 PM

Hi, recently started the car and drove away, very soon after the inside of the car smelt of strong exhaust fumes. After a mile or so it goes away but still smells, I have items of clothing in the boot and they have taken in the odour . The car recently had service 2 carried out no fault codes when BMW checked it out. I have looked at the exhaust to look for signs of soot , no joy , would be gratefull if some one could put me in the right direction , e46 m3 2001 smg thanks Jon

Brian_67 · 05-19-2012, 08:08 AM

Are you positive about your exhaust having no leaks? You may not be seeing any soot at the joins/flanges because the problem only manifested itself recently.

Jntm3 · 05-19-2012, 08:11 AM

Going to have a look properly this weekend , drove it last night and problem is worst when open window so guessing it must be coming from the front , manifold may be ?

dmax · 05-19-2012, 09:00 AM

You sure it's exhaust not a leaking valve cover? Also, although it could be an issue with manifold leaking, I wonder if maybe it's another joint in the exhaust system.

You just had service II done. Did they do anything around the exhaust? O2 sensors maybe...maybe your front exhaust bracket is loose and put pressure on a fitting?

Jntm3 · 05-19-2012, 11:33 AM

Hi , not sure will call the garage to see if they did anything around the exhaust etc, I'm wondering if this could be connected to same engine slight knocking noise, I did read another post on here concerning loose plugs etc and that made a slight knocking noise, if the valve cover gasket gone could that cause a slight knocking noise, my wife mentioned to me that it has been stinking of exhaust fumes for a while, thought that was because it starts in the garage ? , thanks for advice any other comments will be appreciated .

Jntm3 · 05-21-2012, 04:46 PM

Just to update , car booked in with local Indy , BMW specialist , manifold gasket seems to be the reason but also engine knocking noise , loose cam bolts not vanos, can anyone tell me if they have had the same issue . Will update thanks Jon

DBeemerphileWnaB · 10-04-2012, 10:46 PM

I have the same problem with exhaust smell in both the 2004 325Xi and my 2000 323Ci. Haven't figured out where it is coming from, nor how it is getting inside the cabin.

05-18-2012, 01:23 PM	#1
Jntm3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: England Posts: 25 My Ride: E46 m3 View My Garage	Exhaust smell in side the car Hi, recently started the car and drove away, very soon after the inside of the car smelt of strong exhaust fumes. After a mile or so it goes away but still smells, I have items of clothing in the boot and they have taken in the odour . The car recently had service 2 carried out no fault codes when BMW checked it out. I have looked at the exhaust to look for signs of soot , no joy , would be gratefull if some one could put me in the right direction , e46 m3 2001 smg thanks Jon

05-19-2012, 09:00 AM	#4
dmax Stay stock my friends! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Unit I Posts: 21,170 My Ride: '99 328i 1.03809 mu View My Garage	You sure it's exhaust not a leaking valve cover? Also, although it could be an issue with manifold leaking, I wonder if maybe it's another joint in the exhaust system. You just had service II done. Did they do anything around the exhaust? O2 sensors maybe...maybe your front exhaust bracket is loose and put pressure on a fitting? __________________ This huge woman, like 400 pounds comes up to me and says, "Doug, I would rock your world." I replied, "but I need to breathe." The girl in my sig:http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...highlight=dmax

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05-19-2012, 08:08 AM	#2
Brian_67 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 49 My Ride: 2005 M3 View My Garage	Are you positive about your exhaust having no leaks? You may not be seeing any soot at the joins/flanges because the problem only manifested itself recently.

05-19-2012, 08:11 AM	#3
Jntm3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: England Posts: 25 My Ride: E46 m3 View My Garage	Going to have a look properly this weekend , drove it last night and problem is worst when open window so guessing it must be coming from the front , manifold may be ?

05-19-2012, 11:33 AM	#5
Jntm3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: England Posts: 25 My Ride: E46 m3 View My Garage	Hi , not sure will call the garage to see if they did anything around the exhaust etc, I'm wondering if this could be connected to same engine slight knocking noise, I did read another post on here concerning loose plugs etc and that made a slight knocking noise, if the valve cover gasket gone could that cause a slight knocking noise, my wife mentioned to me that it has been stinking of exhaust fumes for a while, thought that was because it starts in the garage ? , thanks for advice any other comments will be appreciated .

05-21-2012, 04:46 PM	#6
Jntm3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: England Posts: 25 My Ride: E46 m3 View My Garage	Just to update , car booked in with local Indy , BMW specialist , manifold gasket seems to be the reason but also engine knocking noise , loose cam bolts not vanos, can anyone tell me if they have had the same issue . Will update thanks Jon

10-04-2012, 10:46 PM	#7
DBeemerphileWnaB Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Silicon Valley, California Posts: 92 My Ride: 04 325i & 00 323Ci View My Garage	I have the same problem with exhaust smell in both the 2004 325Xi and my 2000 323Ci. Haven't figured out where it is coming from, nor how it is getting inside the cabin.