engine smell

1. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

   #1 9th May 2010, 21:34

   im getting a fumey, engine smell in car. its not all the time, seems to be when i put my footdown and give it some. I had to pick this girl up the other day and the first thing she said when she got in was 'your car stinks !'
   
   Im not good with mechanics but i asked a mate and he said it could either be oil leaking and burning off somewhere, or something more serious like the engine depressurising...
   
   Any ideas ? mk2 vts...
2. damiandvs Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2010 Wrexham Posts: 221 Saxo vts 2002

   #2 9th May 2010, 21:38

   check for any visible leeks which could be buurning off, check engine is burning fuel properly, what kind of smell is it
   
   
3. Woods Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246

   #3 9th May 2010, 21:41

   Could be oil coming out of the rocker cover and dripping down onto the manifold. Check the rocker cover rubber gasket.
4. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

   #4 9th May 2010, 21:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Woods Could be oil coming out of the rocker cover and dripping down onto the manifold. Check the rocker cover rubber gasket.

   could be that. it was changed a while ago but i had a look the other day and there was a very small leak.
   
   i had a quick look under the car and where the manifold joins to the cat you can see a small amount of fumes escaping when revd hard.. dunno if that might have anything to do with it..?
   
   its kind of a petrol fume smell..
5. damiandvs Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2010 Wrexham Posts: 221 Saxo vts 2002

   #5 9th May 2010, 21:53

   sounds like your fuel aint fully burning, spark plugs maybe or leak in exhaust
   
   
6. user_42881 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 North Shields Posts: 779

   #6 9th May 2010, 21:57

   Exhaust leak get it checked asap.
7. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

   #7 9th May 2010, 22:01

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by geordie_alex Exhaust leak get it checked asap.

   I only just got a new cat for it, so they might of bodged it on. Thing is the smell was there before i got a new cat.
   
   ill get it looked at
8. user_42881 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 North Shields Posts: 779

   #8 9th May 2010, 22:47

   get the whole lot looked at mate, if it smells like petrol then its not good, could be simple like a little leak from the pipes in the car or something more serious.
   
   Its not worth the risk.
9. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

   #9 10th May 2010, 07:05

   Does the car feel down on power, are you getting poor fuel consumption?
   
   Check the oil if its going down quite rapidly then there has to be a leak or check for oil leaks on a piece of cardboard under the car whilst the car is running at the right temperature leave for about ten minutes, and check the cardboard
10. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

    #10 10th May 2010, 08:35

    Fuel consumption seems fine and the power isn't down. I'll do that cardboard trick. Cheers
11. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

    #11 11th May 2010, 23:01

    Some pics below. I did the cardboard thing, and there wasnt any oil on there after 15 mins of running it.
    
    You can see from the pics that there is oil coming from somewhere. im no expert though, so how bad do you reckon it is from the pics ?
    
    Also, when standing still the car seems to get pretty hot, the temp gauge on the left will get to over halfway (but not max out) and the fan will cut in periodically - is that normal ?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. N80Jamie Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Telford Posts: 1331 EP82 Starlet GT

    #12 11th May 2010, 23:16

    Yes its normal for the fan to kick in. As for the leak, it looks like its coming from your gearbox. Get that sorted or your gearbox will go boom
13. user_40784 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 London Posts: 2768

    #13 11th May 2010, 23:25

    Is your gearbox fine mate? there seems to be a very heavy oil leak from your box. My VTR has the same issue - wierd un-natural smell and a leaky box. Will be replacing my box soon though.
14. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

    #14 11th May 2010, 23:33

    box is a bit clunky, but aint too bad..,
    
    you reckon ill need a whole new box put in ?
    
    how much will i be looking to spend on that ?
    
    Cheers
15. user_40784 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 London Posts: 2768

    #15 12th May 2010, 10:48

    Im pretty sure its a new gearbox time. A used VTS box is about £120.
16. N80Jamie Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Telford Posts: 1331 EP82 Starlet GT

    #16 12th May 2010, 11:35

    A used 1.1 box can be picked up for around £30
17. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

    #17 12th May 2010, 12:58

    my mate says it it shouldnt be too much of a problem, and that it might need topping up with oil once in a while.
    
    is he talking sshhheeeiittt ?
18. Matt1-vts Regular Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Poplar, london Posts: 261

    #18 12th May 2010, 15:52

    Hey I had a new gear box about 4-5 mouths ago. For a full reconditioned one it cost of 400 thats with labour.. For a vts box
19. N80Jamie Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Telford Posts: 1331 EP82 Starlet GT

    #19 12th May 2010, 16:19

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by sssaaaxxxooo my mate says it it shouldnt be too much of a problem, and that it might need topping up with oil once in a while. is he talking sshhheeeiittt ?

    If you want to keep re-filling it with oil then go ahead. Id adivse to get the leak sorted.
20. N80Jamie Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Telford Posts: 1331 EP82 Starlet GT

    #20 12th May 2010, 16:26

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Matt1-vts Hey I had a new gear box about 4-5 mouths ago. For a full reconditioned one it cost of 400 thats with labour.. For a vts box

    Jesus, could of got an s1 box for that with plenty money spare!
21. sssaaaxxxooo Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Posts: 105 Silver mk2 vts

    #21 12th May 2010, 17:56

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SheldonStyles Jesus, could of got an s1 box for that with plenty money spare!

    isnt the vts box uprated / better quality than a 1.1 tho .. ?
22. russelldav Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 223

    #22 12th May 2010, 19:51

    Just fart to cover the smell.