Gday all,
I have got fumes coming into my car from somewhere, at first I thought it was the exhaust so I put a new system on . It isn't leaking as far as I can tell. I have changed the boot seal, the petrol filler seals, the rear window seal and I have plugged up all the holes in the firewall including making a plate that covers the speedo hole. I know I need to replace the door seals and the front windscreen rubber, it will be done soon but what I am wondering is could I be getting fumes from the other cars on the road coming in my door seals and maybe the windscreen.
Could it also be fumes from my engine coming in somehow. Any suggestions will be most welcome as it is giving me a headache, driving it and trying to fix it.
Thanks in advance.

Steve.

I had to replace the rear side window seals, exhaust fumes were getting in there through the LH one.
If you have a centre exhaust this seems to be worse as the exhaust fume sits in the vacuum behind the car, can get in the boot if seal dodgy- and the boot is NOT sealed from the cabin, there's gaps next to the rear seat.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

What sort of fumes? Its common to get both unburnt fuel smells that come in through the back of the dash and exhaust fumes which can come in anywhere. They smell pretty different though so you should be able to tell.

I also had an old Mini van that had been painted inside on the floor with tarry stuff. whenever its exhaust heated up the floor the stuff all fumed, it was a shocker. It all needed taking off and refinishing.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

I am pretty sure it isn't a fuel smell. I guess I will just have to replace all the rubber seals, they are all shot anyway.
Doc, I saw you mention in another post about the PCV valve cutting down engine smells. I have one of these somewhere, I may put it on and try it, can I just put it on the hose from the rear engine breather to the hole in the 1 1/2 carby body?

Steve.

There's no need for a PCV valve unless it's going into the manifold. The later cars just have a hose from the sidecover breather (or flywheel housing one if 1275) to that vac port on side of the carb.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thats what I have at the moment, the breather hose straight to the carby. I will just replace all the rubber and see how that goes.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Steve

Check the mesh in the sidecover breather isn't blocked. Blow into the hose...
If it is, pull it off, rip the `mesh' out and replace with a S/S pot scourer, the woven one that looks like a little pillow.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

i get radiator fluid smells in my car

Not pleasent but doesnt happen all the time

Give the motor/gearbox/subframe etc a good degrease as well in case there's a pool of oil sitting somewhere getting hot and smelly .

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My mum uses these scented candles in the kitchen to reduce any smells. Maybe you could try those

Thanks , I thought about burning some insence, might smell a bit suss if the cops pull me over. I am beginning to think it might be exhaust coming in the back window seals or the door seals as the Doc said. There must be some weird wind turbulance out the back of the mini. I would like to see a wind tunnel test of a mini.
Steve.

Steve...have a look in your boot...is there some tubing coming from the top of the fuel tank down through a hole in the boot floor

Under the bonnet, are there signs of wettness from a fuel leak anywhere

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"Show me the Mini!"

There is weird turbulance at the back of Minis. I recall seeing under certain light conditions the exhaust smoke rising through the speaker holes in the rear parcel shelf of my LS.

you haven't got any holes around the gear stick have you? mine were coming in through there at one stage.

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Matt

Steve ,
I know with my mini if you drive with the window up ,(out on the highway ) it 's not too bad , around town is fine . Mine has all good rubber's in it as well, but i do get a fuel smell from the boot, it need's breather hoses from the tank to divert the smell hpoefully.
Colin.