Hi, I have completely redone the engine and gearbox of my 1970 S1 Rally 1.3 S four speed.
Little by little I have adjusted it and I have to say that it runs like silk. I am very happy with it.
The problem is that when I stop at a traffic light (or traffic stop) with the window open, I notice the smell of exhaust smoke and when I get out of the car, I stink of smoke. I don't know if it could be the height of the exhaust or if there is a way to stop the smoke coming back into the car.
Thank you very much!
Smell of exhaust pipe inside the car
Re: Smell of exhaust pipe inside the car
Hi,
I had a similar issue with mine (more than the normal smell for old cars).
The gearbox had a small leak on the left hand drive shaft seal which drips onto the exhaust, this gets quite smoky and if the cabin intake vent is missing the seal against the bonnet this smoke/smell comes straight into the cabin.
The issue you mention is exhaust smoke so could be a leak at the exhaust manifold or where the manifold joins the middle exhaust section and then coming in through the cabin vent?
I had a similar issue with mine (more than the normal smell for old cars).
The gearbox had a small leak on the left hand drive shaft seal which drips onto the exhaust, this gets quite smoky and if the cabin intake vent is missing the seal against the bonnet this smoke/smell comes straight into the cabin.
The issue you mention is exhaust smoke so could be a leak at the exhaust manifold or where the manifold joins the middle exhaust section and then coming in through the cabin vent?
Re: Smell of exhaust pipe inside the car
Hello
I had the same problem with my 75 coupé. Regardless of whether the windows were open or closed, there was always a strong exhaust odour, i.e. not burnt oil or similar. At first I suspected a leaking exhaust, but couldn't find a leak. At some point I realised that there was an extreme smell of exhaust fumes in the boot. I then sealed the boot lid better with an additional seal and now the exhaust odour has virtually disappeared.
Trial and error makes perfect
Best regards
Richard
I had the same problem with my 75 coupé. Regardless of whether the windows were open or closed, there was always a strong exhaust odour, i.e. not burnt oil or similar. At first I suspected a leaking exhaust, but couldn't find a leak. At some point I realised that there was an extreme smell of exhaust fumes in the boot. I then sealed the boot lid better with an additional seal and now the exhaust odour has virtually disappeared.
Trial and error makes perfect
Best regards
Richard
Re: Smell of exhaust pipe inside the car
The problem of exhaust smell in the car is (IMHO) a few things:
- any leakage around the engine bay
- exhaust pipe and muffler connections
- our changing expectations -we no longer expect to smell when we get out of the cars
One other aspect could be negative pressure at the rear of the car, sucking in exhaust back into the cockpit. This was a problem on Aurelia B20s (especially the later series), and I think is an issue with the Fulvia. I'm finding exhaust smell from just opening up the vent windows at the rear and believe it's swirling back into the car. Coming into the trunk would be another way.
Back in the 1970s/80s, Alfa Romeo used to put a downturn elbow on the rear of their exhaust pipe on their spiders, likely for the same reason. And they sell aftermarket attachments that do the same thing, but would look unsightly on a Fulvia. Still, it's something to think about.
- any leakage around the engine bay
- exhaust pipe and muffler connections
- our changing expectations -we no longer expect to smell when we get out of the cars
One other aspect could be negative pressure at the rear of the car, sucking in exhaust back into the cockpit. This was a problem on Aurelia B20s (especially the later series), and I think is an issue with the Fulvia. I'm finding exhaust smell from just opening up the vent windows at the rear and believe it's swirling back into the car. Coming into the trunk would be another way.
Back in the 1970s/80s, Alfa Romeo used to put a downturn elbow on the rear of their exhaust pipe on their spiders, likely for the same reason. And they sell aftermarket attachments that do the same thing, but would look unsightly on a Fulvia. Still, it's something to think about.