Fumes in cabin - any ideas ?

[ravi911]

I have a 993 C2 1996 Varioram. Recently I been getting the smell of fumes in the cabin - quite strong and right from startup, even with all the ventilation off and closed. Smell/fumes persist with driving and are enough to be unpleasant and irritating to eyes and throat - not good. Not always as bad though.[]

Car is using some oil but not significantly more than usual. Also getting hot smell from rear wheel arches, especially on driver's side, and some smoke on startup.

I've heard that it could be valve guides on a car of this age. Any ideas ?

If anyone has had this problem what sort of cost is involved to fix ? []

All ideas much appreciated.

Thanks,

Ravi

 

[topcats993]

It sounds to me like your valve covers are leaking oil on to the heat exchangers, very common ,if they are you will see smoke from under the rear wheel arches usualy when staitonary in traffic when car is getting hot as it is burning the oil off and the fumes come into the cabin Take the engine under tray off and see how much oil is sitting in it ,thats a good place to start

 

[John Maddox]

If you are lucky it may be the smaller oil filter loosening off a tad and leaking. Mine did this and half a turn cured it and the smells.

 

[Pickled Piper]

I'll second that. Almost certainly oild leaking from the cover gasket area and dripping onto the exhaust.

pp

 

[ravi911]

Thanks all. Will give it a go and let you know the result.

Fingers crossed it's something so simple!

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: topcats993

It sounds to me like your valve covers are leaking oil on to the heat exchangers, very common ,if they are you will see smoke from under the rear wheel arches usualy when staitonary in traffic when car is getting hot as it is burning the oil off and the fumes come into the cabin Take the engine under tray off and see how much oil is sitting in it ,thats a good place to start

I'll second that. I decided that my N/S lower valve cover needed replacing when puffs of smoke appeared in the queue for the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone last year. Bit embarassing next to the Lambos & Ferraris nearby.

Can tell you how I got round a previous owner's ham-fisted stripping of half of the hex heads if you have any trouble Ravi []

Cheers, Roddy

 

[Porker993]

ORIGINAL: ravi911

Thanks all. Will give it a go and let you know the result. Fingers crossed it's something so simple!

It's a really common problem, and not too expensive to put right. Cost me a couple of hundred quid as I recall. The rubber cam cover seals perish over time, and start to leak oil onto the heat exchangers...

 

[day1zero]

Sounds like lower cam covers.........cost about £6.00 each for the gaskets....22 new bolts at 15p each and approx 2 hours Labour......can be straightforward job......or a bit tricky if bolts difficult !!!!

Good luck

 

[Barty964rst]

My car also suffered from a smell of fumes (fuel) most of the time, especially on start up. It was diagnosed as a CO sensor in exhaust (missing) thus fuel system pumping too much fuel into engine.
Sensor changed and fuel smell gone. May be worth checking that the wire is still connected! A cheap fix.