Very Rich Exhaust Smell?

[STS Scott]

I have noticed the exhaust to be producing some mighty powerful vapour over the past few months. It is not alarming, but smells rather like exhaust did/does on cars before the emissions were put into check. As in it smells like a muscle cars exhaust, rather than that "sweet" (literally) smell of modern exhaust.

Should I be concerned? It is noticable enough that when sitting at a light, windows down, the smell drifts into the interior and people sometimes comment on it.

What do you guys think?

[MAC]

A stuck open fuel injector can/will flood the combustion chamber resulting in an overly rich fuel mixture. Also, I would check the fuel pressure regulator. How's the gas mileage?

Bottom line, I would find out what the problem is.

[KevinW]

Excessively rich mixtures would result in visible smoke (either white or black depending on the degree). Unusual hydrocarbon odour could be a result of a misfire (some unburned fuel, e.g. musclecar with a lumpy camshaft and no catalyst, or a chronic misfire condition) or malfunctioning catalytic converter. Does the engine run smoothly? Is the fuel mileage normal?

[bigjayzway]

I had the same problem when my EGR valve was acting up.

Have you checked that?

Big Jay

[STS Scott]

Hmmmm

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll look into them, as well as keep an eye out for the fuel mileage. I havn't even thought to keep it in check lately.

I'll report back with the findings.

Oh, what mileage should I be expecting, say on the highway? So I have an idea of where my car's at.

Thanks, once again!

[Oldgamer]

When you drive on a highway your milage should be about 25-28 mpg.

Average will differ of course.