Hi All,

I hope you can help me diagnose this problem. After I've driven some where and let the car ('91 745) sit for about 1/2 hour, there is a strange smell - a chemical type smell like exhaust (but a little different, I think) that is strongest in the backseat. It is not there before I drive, or while I'm driving, or just after I stop, but I have to be parked for 20-30 minutes to get a full dose of it. (As when running errands.) If I'm parked for a few hours, the smell dissipates. Also, it does not always do this. I'm trying to pin down the circumstances under which it happens, but outdoor temperature does not seem to be a factor.

One time, I smelled it while driving in stop-and-go traffic (more stopping than going), and it seemed to be coming in the air vents, but I might have had the air on recirculate by mistake.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jenn

I run my car on liquified petrol gas, which after transition from fluid to gas in the engine causes some unburnt "natural gas" coming from the exhaust. I happened to get that typical, headache causing smell in the car through the small vents which are located behind the rear-side bumpers; the right side one is close to the exhaust. These vents contain rubber flaps that will not fully close when old, and under underpressure condition in the car, for some reason.

I took the vents out and closed the holes with tape; never had the smell again.

rgds

Jaap.

I often experience a nasty smell from the rear of the car. However, the source is usually inside the underwear of my rear seat passengers.

Rich.

Jenn: do you think what you're smelling could be sulfur? previous postings have mentioned that; usual suspect is cheapo gas and/or a 'cat' problem. Just my $.02 ----PD.

PD,

If, by sulfur, you mean a "rotten eggs" smell, then no. But "cheapo" gas is not out of the question. Pardon my ignorance, but what is a 'cat'? (Unless you mean my neighbor's cat pissing on my car - quite possible, but I'm familiar with that smell!) And how expensive and urgent is a 'cat' problem?

Thanks,

Jenn

Jenn: in this case, 'cat' is your 'cat'alytic converter. I, too, am familiar with the spraying habits of 'felix domecticus': my windshield wiper nozzles should be so efficient! A thread of a few weeks brought up this smell problem, but it was caused by the mildew, etc., from a leaky drain which was moistening the passenger's side footwell (in the fron seat, it's usually from the heat-A/C system; in the backseat, it might be from the sunroof drains malfunctioning, dunno fer shure). It was also speculated that due to the erratic/lead-footed, slam-on-the-brakes driving mode of one person, the smell might be caused by 'sphincter control insufficiency' on the part of his passengers. The 'sniffing of passenger's underwear' as a possible answer to this problem is NOT a viable choice for me, or at least is LAST on the list! Cheapo gas? I got no choice in my DieselWagon, but usually a mid-range, or higher, octane seems to be the choice of many Bricksters. Keep us posted, amiga.---PD.