Exhaust smell

[cocopud]

My new MCSa now has over 1000 miles on it, but from the beginning I always felt like I was smelling exhaust, especially with the top down. Is it normal to smell exhaust in a convertible? I don;t remember smelling it during my test drive. I would think that a new car shouldn't have this smell, it smells like my old van that had 190K miles on it.

[AustinS]

I just passed 2000 miles and I have never smelled exhaust from mine. Could it be the gas where you live? Maybe a special summer formulation?

[gawannamini]

Originally Posted by cocopud

My new MCSa now has over 1000 miles on it, but from the beginning I always felt like I was smelling exhaust, especially with the top down. Is it normal to smell exhaust in a convertible? I don;t remember smelling it during my test drive. I would think that a new car shouldn't have this smell, it smells like my old van that had 190K miles on it.

Just passing 1100 miles on my MCS '09 convertible (what a fun ride!!). I had a strong smell for about 200+ miles but it was more of a hot, sweet-smelling undercoating smell. Once that burned off I have not noticed anything.

[whorrace]

300 miles and no smell...

[gawannamini]

Originally Posted by cocopud

My new MCSa now has over 1000 miles on it, but from the beginning I always felt like I was smelling exhaust, especially with the top down. Is it normal to smell exhaust in a convertible? I don;t remember smelling it during my test drive. I would think that a new car shouldn't have this smell, it smells like my old van that had 190K miles on it.

I am wondering if what you are smelling is really exhaust. When I bend down and smell what is coming out of the tail pipe I can't smell anything (not like the old '60's muscle cars that would gas you out!). Have you smelled the exhaust pipe to see if the odor you notice when driving is the same as the tailpipe?

Of course the tailpipe odor can change depending on engine load, speed etc. I would bet that there is some excess preservative underneath that is getting hot from the exhaust. I'd have the dealer take a look if it is not too far. I noticed the sweet smell that I experienced on two other new demos that I drove but it completely went away on mine after a few hours of driving.

I alos had excess oily preservative running out of my hood, I mean bonnet, and down on the black front wheel skirts the first few hot days. The cause was preservative sprayed under the hood for the ocean transport. It too dissipated. They evidently can get a little heavy handed on preship preservatives on these.

Good luck. You should not smell exhaust unless you are running with the tail gate down - that can draw exhaust into the car.

[zanary]

Hey gawannamini

Your signautre says Backup camera. Can you share some pics and information about that setup? I'm guessing it's an aftermarket option.

[gawannamini]

Originally Posted by zanary

Hey gawannamini

Your signautre says Backup camera. Can you share some pics and information about that setup? I'm guessing it's an aftermarket option.

Check out this link:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...up-camera.html

Thanks to lacning74 for all the heavy lifting here. Not sure if he is still active on NAM message board. However, the links to take you to the vendors for the camera and the display were still active in April when I ordered mine. Total cost was about $170 and I did the work myself but an audio shop should be able to provide the labor if you want someone to install it for you.

The display fits nicely in the cubby below the switches. If you want the display to power up when you start the car without the need to press the power button on the display - be sure to attach the camera lead to the video two input. Test this before you button everything up as it may be different than mine. The instructions on the display are horrible and don't mention this (what do you expect for a $60 Chinese display?). The picture quality is very good.

I love mine. The 160 deg wide angle view of the camera is perfect for parking. It is less helpful for lane changes as a car one car length back looks like it is 3+ car lengths back. If you can barely see a car at the bottom edge of the screen it is actually about a car length back. If lane changes are more important to you - pick a camera that does not have such a wide angle lense. I find visibility for lane changes to be OK with the mirrors. The BU camera makes parking and making sure the area is clear of kids, toys and other cars before backing up a breeze. If you are parked next to a pick up or SUV you can even "see around the corner" a bit as you back out to see if someone is coming down that row. This is due to the wide angle.

Check out my installed pictures and some more detail about the install towards the bottom of the postings on the link above.

[stefspain]

Mine smelt in the beginning as being burnt rubber. Engine had the fan on , and always when putting in the garage ( Temp over 80 F) oil pump keeps going which is normal for a S (reading the manual). Now after 1000 miles smells are gone. So smells for a very new car are normal.

[bluemeanie357]

I noticed a cook-off smell from the turbo and exhaust on my car for the first 300 miles or so. 1000 seems a bit excessive. If you notice it at idle, park the car and give a sniff around to see where it comes from, hood open.