Exaust leaking gas?

[roche90]

Okay so my car reeks of gas both inside and out. i got pulled over the other night because my car was so loud because of the hole and the cop noted that i "figure out what that gas smell is". yesterday, i noticed a dark spot on the dirt below my muffler. i have a big hole underneath the pipes that come out, and also a hole under the muffler that is where gas is leaking.
what would cause this? i also (obviously) need to get a new exhaust but i can't find any :confused

[sfgearhead]

I doubt you're dripping gas out the tailpipe, unless you're dumping massive amounts of fuel through it, and even then the cat should burn most of it.

I bet most of that liquid is water, which is more noticable when it's cold. Water is a byproduct of combustion, forgive me if you already knew that.

Look for leaks in your fuel lines, after 20 years they're likely all due for replacing.

[Supra330Xi]

the exhaust itself wouldn't leak gas

check ur gas tank...these cars are notorious for rusted/leaking gas tanks.

[gricey]

Some Angel Eyes should fix that right up

[zubbie]

troll thread #2 for you!

[ShapeShifter]

I'd check your fuel lines for leaks before you drive it.
It's a fire waiting to happen and if the exhaust leak is close to fuel it's gonna happen quick.

[GIANUCCI E30]

Okay so my car reeks of gas both inside and out. i got pulled over the other night because my car was so loud because of the hole and the cop noted that i "figure out what that gas smell is". yesterday, i noticed a dark spot on the dirt below my muffler. i have a big hole underneath the pipes that come out, and also a hole under the muffler that is where gas is leaking.
what would cause this? i also (obviously) need to get a new exhaust but i can't find any :confused

+1 check your tank those suckers like to rust right at the seams next to the exhaust. Yard cost roughly $100. check the DIY thread here to uninstall and reinstall. However best to get a buddy to help you do the job.

[lovinlyfe4dub]

Most exhausts have holes drilled into them so that water doesnt get built up inside.

[rennagata92]

Some Angel Eyes should fix that right up

:lol

[roche90]

i found that the gas tank is leaking into the exhaust at an alarming rate. its too damn cold out to figure out where the hole is but its big enough to build up in the exhaust and drip out of the rotted hole in that:mad

[Supra330Xi]

yea, u might not want to drive the car, especially if ur car is running rich.....i wonder what would happen if the car backfired??????

[zubbie]

just keep driving it hard while smoking a large cigar. I'm sure everything will rectify itself

[roche90]

just keep driving it hard while smoking a large cigar. I'm sure everything will rectify itself
i've already tried that, it didn't help anything.

[GIANUCCI E30]

i found that the gas tank is leaking into the exhaust at an alarming rate. its too damn cold out to figure out where the hole is but its big enough to build up in the exhaust and drip out of the rotted hole in that:mad

The likely location is the far left corner right at the seam. They all like to rust there. Do not drive her till you get that fixed or you'll have a BMW e34 BBQ pit. I have a tank. I'll check the condition. PM me I'll see what I can do.

[M Quick]

Most exhausts have holes drilled into them so that water doesnt get built up inside.


Are you sure? I have never heard or seen such.
That would create an exhaust leak.. and that would make the exhausts enter the car, which is bad..
You wouldn't pass inspection atleast over here if you had holes in the exhaust systems as it could be leathal if breathing the gases in.

And a question if you'd say that the holes doesn't let the exhaust out, then how does the water escape?

Just wanting to learn if what you say is true, but i really doubt it..



EDIT: Why i'm asking is because it's the second time he said it in a non ironic way.

[gricey]

Are you sure its not the blinker fluid leaking out through the holes in the exhaust.

Common problem

[GIANUCCI E30]

Are you sure? I have never heard or seen such.
That would create an exhaust leak.. and that would make the exhausts enter the car, which is bad..
You wouldn't pass inspection atleast over here if you had holes in the exhaust systems as it could be leathal if breathing the gases in.

And a question if you'd say that the holes doesn't let the exhaust out, then how does the water escape?

Just wanting to learn if what you say is true, but i really doubt it..

Hold on... I read the leak part. Dude you need a new tank. I must have missed the fumes in the car part. Sounds like 2 separate issues. The only thing you can theorize which is kind of halfy is that the exhaust was already on it's way out and the leaking gas from the tank aided to the corrosion.

IMO new tank, new exhaust & call it the day

[M30Stui]

Are you sure its not the blinker fluid leaking out through the holes in the exhaust.

Common problem

Haha i'd wager that the fuel level emitter is on it's way out i suggest pick up a new one just to be safe.

[BMWross540]

Check the evaporative control system also. bad check valves can cause gas smells. after car is running it will open valves and suck the fuel fumes from the charcoal canister into the engine. when faulty the canisters can fill with fuel and vent to atmosphere which they aren't supposed to..since its cold its not likely the tank is over pressurizing causing the vapors to go to the canister. its part of the smog control devices and rubber hoses are also involved and they decay over time. so much so that in CA we now have specific smog test for this system beyond the monitor that runs normally that may set a code and a check engine light(MIL)
If raw gas is present in the exhaust system no catalytic converter will take care of this situation, it will toast your cats, it needs fixing.


Are you sure? I have never heard or seen such.
That would create an exhaust leak.. and that would make the exhausts enter the car, which is bad..
You wouldn't pass inspection atleast over here if you had holes in the exhaust systems as it could be leathal if breathing the gases in.

And a question if you'd say that the holes doesn't let the exhaust out, then how does the water escape?

Just wanting to learn if what you say is true, but i really doubt it..



EDIT: Why i'm asking is because it's the second time he said it in a non ironic way.

its a small hole at bottom of rear of muffler about a 1/8" in the low spot where exhaust blast can't blow the moisture out. Also used when you shut it off so mufflers can drain, its only a foot or so away from the tail pipe and after the cats. so any exhaust gas (not fuel) leakage is insignificant besides its basically clean at that point which is to say its not like running a garden hose into the drivers compartment which you can still do but one should close the garage door so as to not disturb the neighbors