Mk1 1.8 - odd smell after service? Help!

[tommysport]

Tricky question online, I know. I recently had diff & gearbox oil done on my mk1. (It does have a full stainless exhaust system)

Upon driving it home I immediately noticed a smell I'd never had in the cabin before - almost sulphur like (?) Not typical exhaust smells, much stronger.

I thought it might just be some gearbox oil poss spilled heating up or whatever as I know that stinks...

But anyway it was quite a constant smell, have driven it twice since then and still there, over 100 miles and 3 journeys. The smell is instant, once the engine is running.

I just noticed the smell gets worse on full acceleration, but doesn't seem to make a difference if the heater fans on or not.. and can't smell anything in the engine bay when stopped and bonnet open, even if I rev it. 🤔

The smell isn't rubber, its more like a fuel/gearbox oil mix, doesn't smell like engine oil. It's so weird. Seems to happeen regardless of windows down or closed. There's like a small delay after waft effect so if I go WOT through 1st 2nd 3rd then ease off you then smell it stronger in the cabin.

It's driving me nuts, worried it might be fuel related having looked online now, but not sure how to check that?

I will try and get it jacked up to at least look for any obvious leaks asap.

Anyone had similar? Thanks all

[Dave.]

Is it coming in through the gear gaiter?

Whip the centre console out and see what state the shift boots are in, they may have refilled the gearbox from the top of the fill plug was seized.

[tommysport]

Dave. said:

Is it coming in through the gear gaiter?

Whip the centre console out and see what state the shift boots are in, they may have refilled the gearbox from the top of the fill plug was seized.

I don't think it is, no. I can't notice any smell directly from there, it kind of just arrives in a big "waft" and doesn't make a difference if windows are down/up or the heaters on/off, it's driving me insane.... I need to go back but it's a 1hr+ drive and just a tad nervous incase it is fuel... thanks

[RustyMX5]

It's been a very long time since I owned a Mk1 but I have a vague recollection that the insulation under the gearstick can become worn and start to disintegrate leading to a smell. Whether that's the case here or not is open to debate. As I said though.. It's a vague recollection from many years ago.

[MightyBadger]

Dave. said:

Is it coming in through the gear gaiter?

Whip the centre console out and see what state the shift boots are in, they may have refilled the gearbox from the top of the fill plug was seized.

I had this driving my old MK2 home after purchase, new gear gaiter stopped the whiff.

[tommysport]

Hi guys

I've managed to work out the smell is rev related and fuel related
 
If I stand in the engine bay and rev it, as soon as the revs die down again, I then get a 'waft' of a fuelly / overfuelling / rich smell

I haven't quite worked out where this is coming from yet...

my only thoughts are that the CAS O ring towards the top/back of the engine was changed, are there any hoses fuel related they would have had to take off around here perhaps one hasn't gone back on fully or something.. I'm not overly clued up so will get a 2nd opinion 

I don't have a charcoal canister, never a problem or smell before, ahhh. Thanks

[RustyMX5]

On my Mk1 I noticed a petrol smell and during a service my mechanic found that the seals around 2 of the injectors had turned from rubber to plastic so they weren't sealing perfectly. A new set of seals for the injectors were fitted and I didn't have the issue again.

[tommysport]

RustyMX5 said:

On my Mk1 I noticed a petrol smell and during a service my mechanic found that the seals around 2 of the injectors had turned from rubber to plastic so they weren't sealing perfectly. A new set of seals for the injectors were fitted and I didn't have the issue again.

Yeah I think it could well be this, thanks! Getting closer...!