Date: Mon, 3 May 1999
Glenn,
I was reading emailed questions that you have answered and came across one that reminded me of a problem that I am having. The letter described a problem with fumes that were present in the cabin when the windows were rolled up.
The problem with my 1965 1800 is that there is an exhaust smell when I am drivng at speeds greater than 30 mph and the windows are rolled down! It will happpen if either the driver side or passenger side windows are rolled down or if the vent windows are open. There is no problem if the windows are rolled up or if I am going at low speeds.
The rear trunk seal and the exhaust system were replaced by the previous owner about 3 years ago and both seem to be in good condition. I have thought about trying to find the source, but short of using a CO detector I have no idea where to begin. The smell is much more reminiscent of exhaust than of gas or oil. I have asked a few Volvo repair shops in the area and have not gotten a good answer. As summer is approaching, I would like to try to figure this out.
Rich
rjr@itsa.ucsf.edu
Rich - If it's exhaust you're smelling, then the exhaust system is to blame. Start the car and look for leaks, beginning at the exhaust manifold and working your way to the rear of the car. You may be able to hear the leak, and you may be able to see the exhaust gases escaping, especially if you use a trouble light held at different angles.
If it's not a leak causing the problem, that leaves only the tailpipes. Stock tailpipes are designed to route exhaust gases into passing air. If you replace them with a tailpipe that doesn't let the gases exit at the right place, they may find their way into air currents along the body of the car that bring them into the cabin.
You should be able to tell from photos of other P1800s that the stock tailpipes are curved to place their ends closer to the corner of the car. Significantly, this was a change from the prototype, which had straight tailpipes. -Glenn.