<VV> Argghhh...Stinking Heater Woes!

[Frank DuVal]

Carbon momoxide is colorless and odorless, which is why it it such a 
good killer. If you have access to a CO detector, check the interior of 
your car.

Exhaust usually has a slight odor due to other compounds besides CO.

If there is a strong smell with the heater on, it is probably oil on hot 
engine parts. Or something in the heater system (mice?). Take off the 
turkey roaster and look for top cover leaks, oil on cylinders, etc. 
Check gasket in oil cap and dipstick ferrule.  Most Corvairs have a 
slight odor with the heat on due to the many ways for oil to leak and 
the fuel to evaporate from the carbs (idle vent valve, bowl vent). 
Downtube problems are rare, but they can rust at the manifold packing 
flange.

New packing smell really bad!

So does getting a plastic bag stuck to the muffler. gggg

Frank DuVal

David Fasgold wrote:

>My car's heater always smells like the exhaust is hooked up directly to the heater ducts. I fight this problem every time it gets cold outside, get frustrated, and give up. I've tried everything, short of replacing the exhaust downtubes (lots of work, haven't had the energy yet). I tried checking for exhaust leaks the other day. With the engine cold, I removed the fan belt, briefly started the car and felt around the manifolds for leaks. I couldn't find anything. I've replaced all the exhaust packings and heater hoses. The engine is very clean. I don't imagine it is a leaky head gasket, since I've had this problem for almost nine years and the car runs fine. Could there be some sort of crankcase leak causing the odor? 
>David
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