Exhaust fumes in cabin?

[MrSpeedy]

I've been having these exhaust fumes in my car while I stand still and have my fresh air turned on. When I get moving the fumes don't get in anymore. Been wondering if it could be my flexpipe that's leaking just abit. I also have read couple of posts where exhaust header has been slightly cracked but atleast I don't see smoke coming from there.

[visualpoet]

You shouldn't see smoke from anywhere! lol Could be the flex pipe, could be the header/downpipe joint, could be at the catalytic convertor. Start the car cold, and put your hand carefully near anyplace you suspect a leak to feel for moving air. Be quick, it won't take long for the pipe to heat up.

[GeoffM]

If its a big enough leak you can park your car over not frozen grass and have a friend rev the engine. You might be able to see the grass blowing underneath the car. Its what I did when my friends car was leaking.

[MrSpeedy]

You shouldn't see smoke from anywhere! lol Could be the flex pipe, could be the header/downpipe joint, could be at the catalytic convertor. Start the car cold, and put your hand carefully near anyplace you suspect a leak to feel for moving air. Be quick, it won't take long for the pipe to heat up.

Sorry, I forgot to post that I cover the tailpipes, so then you should see smoke coming from the exhaust pipe if there's a leak. Atlest i've done that always when I've had a leak. But now it's like there's no leak or maybe a tiny hole somewhere. But I'll just keep searching. Thanks for the tips. We don't have any grass here anymore, only snow. Guess it could work also on that.

[visualpoet]

Sorry, I forgot to post that I cover the tailpipes, so then you should see smoke coming from the exhaust pipe if there's a leak. Atlest i've done that always when I've had a leak. But now it's like there's no leak or maybe a tiny hole somewhere. But I'll just keep searching. Thanks for the tips. We don't have any grass here anymore, only snow. Guess it could work also on that.

I meant you shouldn't see smoke. Smoke from the exhaust is a sign of a problem with the engine. Some steam if it's cold enough, but smoke is always bad.

[project_x]

Mine does that too!

[DumYoungKeed]

disconnect a vacuum line from the intake tube and pour a little seafoam inside, and see where else the white smoke will come out from besides the tailpipe. just dont pour too much because you could hydro-lock your motor.

[wed3k]

if you have a cast manifold, it could be cracked...check the head to flange and manifold to downpipe gaskets.

[islandhopper]

if you have a cast manifold, it could be cracked...check the head to flange and manifold to downpipe gaskets.

I was going to say exactly that. My old A1 header is cracked, like most are, and it does spew out a fair amount of exhaust into the engine bay, even when warmed up (the crack is quite bad). I used to get fumes in the car until i checked the firewall and noticed that a rubber plug wasn't fully sealed from when i had installed my heavy gauge wire for my amp. Once i closed it back up i noticed considerably less fumes in the car.

If that's the case, get a new header (i got the A4 tubular steel, no cracks! ) and check your firewall for any holes or missing plugs.

Hope that helps!

[H22Artman]

mine does this too.
you can always just switch your air control to recirculating. it gets better air pressure with the fresh air vents closed anyway.

[GeoffM]

mine does this too.
you can always just switch your air control to recirculating. it gets better air pressure with the fresh air vents closed anyway.

But then the windows get all foggy.

[magicdragon]

also check your piping around the gass tank under the heat sheld cause if thats leaking it goes stright throught the whole in your car above the gas tank i had that problem made my seats black

[H22Artman]

But then the windows get all foggy.

A/C takes the condensation out of the air. clear windows and no smell.

[visualpoet]

A/C takes the condensation out of the air. clear windows and no smell.

Fixing your exhaust and using the fresh air setting would get rid of the smell as well, use less fuel than running the A/C and take the condensation out of the air.
I NEVER use the recirculate and I NEVER have exhaust smell in my car.

Fix that shit, yo!:

[MrSpeedy]

if you have a cast manifold, it could be cracked...check the head to flange and manifold to downpipe gaskets.

Thanks guys for good replies! I think it could be the manifold. I'm changing it for the A3 mani in the next month. So, if it doesn't go away then I gotta do some more research. And yes, i'm driving it now with the recirculation and I hate it. I'll let you know as soon as I get the manifold changed.