Wonder if anyone has experienced an extremely smelly Scooby on very cold mornings?? From cold start, full choke, after a minute or two revs drop slightly and very strong smell of petrol (acrid/burning rubbery combination!) coming from under the bonnet and fills cabin if vents left open. 2 Subaru dealers have now looked at car, but can find no fault....however there obviously is something wrong as smell is overpowering! Does not happen on non-frosty mornings......

 

Is yours a turbo model? If so with the engine cold get someone else to start it whilst you are looking under the bonnet. Mine does the same and I can hear it blowing from the joint between the headers and the link pipe to the turbo. When cold it is noticable once the engine has warmed up as if taken to a garage for them to look at it is not easy to notice. If this shows that the joint could be blowing to confirm it jack up the drivers side front wheel PLACE ON AXLE STAND!!!! Remove front wheel by removing a small triangular plastic cover you should be able to get your hand to the joint so with the engine running you will be able to quickly feel round and feel for a leak. Hope this helps Steve.

 

thanks for the info, really appreciated. Will give it a go!