Burning smell in cabin after clutch replacement

[illmatik]

Last weekend I had my mechanic replace my OEM clutch with an F1 Stage 2 Sprung Hub Clutch w/ LTW Chromoly flywheel. I've put about 120 miles on it since then. So far I'm very very very pleased with the clutch, it shifts beautifully with zero chatter.

One thing I've noticed since I've got the car back is a burning, exhaust smell in the cabin. I'm pretty sure I can smell it right when I start the car without having to shift gears. I'm positive this isn't a burning clutch or a burning oil smell. The smell isn't extremely overpowering; it seems to come and go. I usually notice it in traffic or if I'm at a stop.

Obviously the exhaust was dropped in the process of the clutch refresh.. is it possible one of the gaskets (which I'm sure my mechanic didnt replace) is bad? Any ideas on things to check for?

Thanks

[Randy Forbes]

Is it possible that there's still some penetrating oil (used to loosen rusty fasteners) still lingering and burning off the pipes as they get hot? I'd think that a decently long drive (like an hour at highway speeds) would be sufficient to burn it off completely__several short duration trips might not get the pipes hot enough/long enough to accomplish the same thing.

[Jrrrrrrr]

Why are you sure your mechanic didn't replace the 2x manifold to catalytic gaskets? I hope that doesn't reflect the rest of his work as the gaskets are one-time use only.

You need 2x of 18301716888 for said gaskets and I would imagine such an exhaust leak would trip a CEL for the post-cat sensors on your '99. In a pinch, I've found that 650-degree red RTV silicone can seal this exhaust gap perfectly.

edit:


Is it possible that there's still some penetrating oil (used to loosen rusty fasteners) still lingering and burning off the pipes as they get hot? I'd think that a decently long drive (like an hour at highway speeds) would be sufficient to burn it off completely__several short duration trips might not get the pipes hot enough/long enough to accomplish the same thing.

It's a longshot, but also possible!

[illmatik]

Why are you sure your mechanic didn't replace the 2x manifold to catalytic gaskets? I hope that doesn't reflect the rest of his work as the gaskets are one-time use only.

You need 2x of 18301716888 for said gaskets and I would imagine such an exhaust leak would trip a CEL for the post-cat sensors on your '99. In a pinch, I've found that 650-degree red RTV silicone can seal this exhaust gap perfectly.

edit:



It's a longshot, but also possible!

I gave my mechanic specific instructions and provided all the parts. It was my failure to not give him any new gaskets to replace them with.

That being said... has anyone had an exhaust smell in the cabin due to bad gaskets? Does this sound likely?

[xdougiex]

yes very likely.
the exhaust will release into your engine bay especially when stopped and your ac/heater air intake will suck up some of it and blow it into your cabin. get it fixed, you'll be happy, takes no time at all.

[scooper]

vcg leaking?

[illmatik]

vcg leaking?
Could be... but I never noticed this smell until I had my clutch done so an exhaust leak would make more sense.

I'll start there and see what happens :)

[Jrrrrrrr]

I gave my mechanic specific instructions and provided all the parts. It was my failure to not give him any new gaskets to replace them with.

That being said... has anyone had an exhaust smell in the cabin due to bad gaskets? Does this sound likely?

Makes sense!

To repeat, yes a bad exhaust seal is the most likely cause for exhaust smells in the interior. Those 2x manifold to catalytic gaskets I mentioned are cheap and the most likely culprit.

[ThreeD]

I have skipped on replacing those gaskets and have not noticed anything. I ALWAYS smell penetrating oil and see it smoke up after using it near the exhaust. I'd say give it a week or so, if it's still there after a full tank of gas then it's not the penetrating oil. Leaking exhaust will smell like gas.

[khaos]

That is the smell of e36 my friend. Let's you know you are driving a high performance vehicle. If you can't smell coolant, gasoline, oil, and burnt crap, then you are missing out. It goes with the lifter tick, vanos marbles, transmission rattle and ten different harmonics if your gear is too high.