a couple weeks ago, i had my girlfriend start up the 8 at night [kinda cold out in so cal] and i noticed that i had a cel. it was kind of late so i didnt have time to get it checked out. the next day on my way to school it disappeared

but ever since then, every time i back up, there is a strong smell of [not sure how to put it exactly] exhaust fumes that can be smelled in the cabin and near the car. this is a LOT more than usual, a lot more potent in fumes. i have had no cel ever since the first one.

i have a stock cat with a greddy sp2.
replaced my coils/wires/plugs maybe 60k. i am at 67k right now.

also i should point out, for the past couple months, my smog air pump has been emitting a loud high pitched sound, and im guessing its still somewhat alive, because when i start it up, you can vaguely hear the bearings, but only for a second or two. usually its for a good 30sec.

 

get the cel pulled from the history and let us know what it says.

 

Sounds like you have a failing cat. Rotten Egg smell? If you're air pump is dying, you might be frying you cat. The reason you're smelling it more when backing up is likely that you're driving back through the exhaust gasses vs. going forward where you're driving away from them.

 

i agree with futz - first thought is cat

 

I have a bit of a funky smell, especially if I drive hard or drive for a long time to where the car is really warm. I wouldn't say it's a rotten egg smell, more like something burnt. Figured it was just rubber for a while, from burning tires or something, but I really don't drive _that_ hard..

Maybe it's nothing. Need someone who knows something to smell it one day.

 

Try this :

 

thanks man. I know the club would come through for me once again.

 

Self portrait Bret?

 

If it smells like rubber to you it could be oil burning off somewhere, none got spilled in your engine bay did it?

Thats the problem I am having on another car I own right now, oil was leaking and got onto the exhaust and I swear it smelled exactly like burning rubber but it wasn't. Just a thought.

 

hey there's an idea.. I won't rule that out. I'mma take a closer look, thank you.

 

well i got the obd2 scanner and under "stored codes" and "pending codes" there are none.

well im getting a new smog air pump in a couple days [from a member parting out his car]

hmmm... i guess ill have to look at the cat then.

another question, would i be able to pass inspection if i am not throwing cels with this cat? or should i just try to get a used one from somewhere such as this forum? i think i have a smog inspection coming up this year.

 

york- look for plastic bags stuck to the exhaust

 

gf had that happen to her car once, but nah I do a look-around every now and then so I would've noticed before. It's not really like plastic or rubber..just similar. I don't know how to explain the smell, but it could be spilled oil in the engine compartment maybe. I do have a hard time changing the oil filter without spilling. Something I need to perfect, no doubt.

 

you could get an oil filter relocation kit!... something on my list

 

I sure could, and it just so happens that I am accepting donations at this time via paypal. PM me for the address, any amount will be accepted, thanks.

 

Paypal you $-200 =]

 

so good news and bad news.

good news... passed the smog test here in cali

bad news... smell persists.

 

well i just found a package in front of my house getting the mail, and it was a used smog air pump. just installed it and now the smell is gone now!

although when i first started it up there was a small amount of white smoke from the tail pipe, but so far the smell is gone, as well as the high pitched whine upon cold start-up!

 

Do you premix and what type of gasoline(Costco gas, Mobil, Chevron, ARCO) do you use? I used to just fill up with Mobil 91 oct. then switched to Costco 91 oct. gas and premix with Valvoline 2-Cycle Motor Oil TC-W3 later on. Immediately, there was some funky exhaust smell. I wouldn't say it's like rotten eggs, but definitely there is a smell...

 

nope, dont premix. i only go to Mobil or Exxon [same same] 91

its not a fruity smell is it? thats what some of the other guys would describe it, especially when they were running midpipes.

 

stop farting in your car

 

Update:

So I was experiencing a misfire so I had the cat checked out, and it turns out the cat is fine, so up next is the ignition coils.

However, the shop noticed that the midpipe was missing the internal lip that holds the gasket in place, causing a bad seal.

 

I don't know much about cars, I have 2006 RX8 and engine got replaced by the dealer last year. Since then I would smell fume or gas at my garage few minutes I parked. I don't see any leaks anywhere. Any idea? could it be my fuel pump is leaking?

 

Uh oh. Check your fuel lines in the engine bay for signs of a leak at the connector points. If the dealer didn't replace them, they tend to leak and/or pop off. If they are leaking, you need to replace the lines ASAP. Tow the car to a shop if you can't repalce it yourself, but you shouldn't be driving it. There have been a few dozen RX-8s reported over the years where the dealer failed to replace the line when doing an engine replacement and the line popped off while driving, spraying pressurized fuel all over the engine bay, starting a fire that burns the car to the ground. Fortunately, we haven't heard of an injury or death from this, the driver has always been able to get out in time, but still, it is really bad news.

It might be a leaky fuel pump, but you would smell that more in the cabin, and the mention of a recent engine replacement worries me considerably there.

This is not something to play around with or ignore.

 

took it to the dealership which of course took like 2 hrs to check and I was told that I need to replace my fuel pump and that maybe the cause of the smell. So tomorrow I will let them change and will see how it goes.. I wanna thank u so much for the reply...