<VV> Bad smell

[Ron]

Cecil,

Time has a way of erasing memories!  Up until the early 1970s there were no
real pollution controls, evaporative canisters to absorb fuel vapors, smog
pumps, carbs with fixed idle screws, air cleaners plumbed to the exhaust
manifold to warm the engine quickly, oxygen sensors, catalytic convertors
etc.  I forgot all about the smells until I bought a couple Corvairs and a
1965 Ford Econoline Pickup truck with a 200cid Falcon engine.

In my opinion, it is even worse when the engine is warmed from driving and
the car is parked in a closed garage.  The heat from the engine, heats up
and evaporates some fuel in the float bowls and causes a horrible stench
which is especially noticeable if the garage is attached to the house.  Ugh!


When the engine is started from a cold state the choke provides a very rich
mixture and a lot of that doesn't get burned.  Check out the exhaust when
you start the engine and it will probably exhibit some black smoke.  That is
unburned fuel.  It will also have a lot of moisture in the exhaust due to
condensation and the fact that the exhaust system is not hot enough to dry
up the moisture.  You may even see some black, sooty drops under the exhaust
outlet or on a wall if the pipe is facing away from the car.

In my opinion, it is a normal condition and nothing to be concerned with
especially because, as you say, "The smell seems to go away after the car is
warmed up."

Maybe someone else has other ideas but like I said, it is my opinion!

Ron Blachut
Queensbury, NY 12804
Member CORSA, Virtual Vairs, Fastvair, OldEconolines, 2Cylinder Hondas
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/cannonball01.html
http://www.cannonball-corvair.com/
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/blachut01.html



-------Original Message-------

From: Ewell Mills
Date: 03/16/04 19:14:43
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: Bad smell

I have two Corvairs and both of them have a really bad smell when I first
start them (in garage with door open).  It seems to be the exhaust, not a
gasoline smell (I cured that when I went to an electric fuel pump).  I owned
a
60 model in 1960 and do not recall it smelling that way.  (I did not have a
garage back then).  Is it possibly caused by using unleaded gas?  The smell
seems to go away after the car is warmed up.  Any ideas, or am I the only
one
with this problem.  My other cars all have catalytic converters and don't
exhibit this.

Cecil Mills
Cocoa, Fl.

65 and 67 Monzas
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