I don't believe I'm being over zealous but recently iv had an exhaust smell when I put my food down, with the Windows open.
Around town, no smell..but on load I get a whiff of exhaust.
Iv a 03 STI with a nur spec exhaust, I'm thinking maby a gasket seal or lose bolt, but what do other people think...
It only happens when iv got the window down, and no smell when I turn on the a/c or heater...
I'm gonna get it on the ramp in a couple of days...just need a few ideas to look for any problems...

 

is it decatted?

 

Yeah, Decatted...

 

was it mapped for a decat ? i have an 02 sti with full decat and was told it must be mapped as soon as exhaust was fitted so it may need to be done,if it has been mapped then ok,mine smells quite potent when started from cold (smells rich)but think thats normal when warming up on cold day.if it has not been mapped then stay off boost till it has,mine would not go above 5,500 rpm till map was done (only did that twice)hthy.


when i say would not go above 5,500 rpm i meant it would struggle, it would get there quite well then it was like hittingb a brick wall,jgm sorted it with few taps on his laptop,lol.

 

Thanx Carl,
It has been mapped and tbh i hadnt noticed any smell till about a 2 weeks ago, and i know these cars dont smell like roses at any point in there life really..lol..but just seems a touch odd to smell out of the blue.

 

maybe a good idea to get underneath it and check the pipework for any cracks andsplits. Is there a difference in the way the car runs and performs?

 

yes mate as L.J.F. has said is there a difference in performance or sound,sometimes i notice the smell more thjan others,but you know your car more than any one else so get under and check it out.does it have a flexi joint in downpipe ? mine has and was told that can be a weak point yet two years down the line mine has been fantastic and had no problems at all.

 

Mine does this a little when I come to a stop with the windows down. I had all new gaskets done when decatted so I'm just putting it down to way the decat smells Same as you tho never comes through the heater or AC