Fumes/Burning Smell

[NobleGuy]

Ever since I did the tunnel mod I've been getting a lot of burny/fumy type smells in the cabin. I've noticed that it stops when the windows are up, and that it happens when I'm slowing down.

I've checked and re-checked the oil hoses to make sure there are no leaks and they seem to be fine, and I checked the fuel pump and filter area behind the wheel arch to see if there was any leakage occuring there. Nothing at all.

I've come to the conclusion that maybe some exhaust fumes are being somehow being sucked back into the cabin, or there really is a leak and I just can't see it. Any other theories out there?

[Adrian W]

check that the radiator hasn't got a slight leak and it's hot antifreeze you can smell, to check this put the aircon on and see if the smell goes away.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

NobleGuy said:

...windows down...

NobleGuy said:

I've come to the conclusion that maybe some exhaust fumes are being somehow being sucked back into the cabin

They all do that depending on how the vents are set and the level the windows are open.

[F.C.]

Was it ever better after you did the mod?
Have you checked the fresh air duct that feeds the tunnel?
It sounds like you're back to the norm of an un-modded car.
Does the hand brake and gear lever still heat up when the windows are open for a while?(driving along)
If the tunnel mod checks out, you may well have a leak somewhere, but the mod creates a positve pressure in the tunnel so you may have to look elseware for the source.
Could also be a leak at the fuel filter (pax side pod)or even a rad / heater matrix leak.
F.C.

[NobleGuy]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

After the mod there has definitely been an improvement in the cabin temperature - the handbrake and gear lever never get hot.

Checked the fuel filter and hoses on Saturday and there is no sign at all of any leaks either now or in the past.

I checked the coolant level as well and although maybe a little on the low side, this seems to be stable. I did have a couple of small leaks from the short hoses last year (long one through the tunnel appeared to be fine). I'll try the aircon suggestion to see if this helps.

One small thing - the alcantara round the gear lever has a couple of holes and although this means I can feel the fresh air coming through nicely I'm wondering if maybe these holes are letting in the smell. I would've thought a smell would get through a bit of material without holes though. Clutching at straws perhaps....

[NickyTwoHats]

Who did the tunnel mod for you? How much?

Ta

N2H

[NobleGuy]

I did it myself. I had the front undertray off to repaint the chassis and the heater box out - it was fairly easy to do while I had easy access to it.

[rsnoble]

could someone explain the mod and why its needed? thanks im new to owning a noble and hav acsess to a ramp, thanks

[obes]

You run a duct from the front to the tunnel and/or all the way down the tunnel to the front turbo.
(the front turbo's get mighty hot)

[gadgeroonie]

"One small thing - the alcantara round the gear lever has a couple of holes and although this means I can feel the fresh air coming through nicely I'm wondering if maybe these holes are letting in the smell. I would've thought a smell would get through a bit of material without holes though. Clutching at straws perhaps...."

i reckon this is not helping the problem

[NobleGuy]

Where can I a get a small patch of new alcantara?
Might be worth replacing it.

Also, with the blowers and the aircon on the smell remains, although it's slightly less powerful.

Edited by NobleGuy on Tuesday 2nd September 11:52

[Lakelord]

NobleGuy said:

Where can I a get a small patch of new alcantara?
Might be worth replacing it.

Also, with the blowers and the aircon on the smell remains, although it's slightly less powerful.

Edited by NobleGuy on Tuesday 2nd September 11:52

Have a chat with Trimman on this site

[S26VE P]

obes said:

You run a duct from the front to the tunnel and/or all the way down the tunnel to the front turbo.
(the front turbo's get mighty hot)

Need to replace my ducts soon as they are all split anyway so will most likely change them all/mod them. Have PPL used one from each side so 1 is tunnel and 1 turbo?

[NobleGuy]

When I viewed the tunnel entrance at the engine end I found that there was no room for another hose to go through.
Both of the ducts going in terminate an inch or two into the tunnel.

[F.C.]

Mine was ok with just one fresh air feed to the tunnel.
F.C.

[Adrian W]

S26VE P said:

obes said:

You run a duct from the front to the tunnel and/or all the way down the tunnel to the front turbo.
(the front turbo's get mighty hot)

Need to replace my ducts soon as they are all split anyway so will most likely change them all/mod them. Have PPL used one from each side so 1 is tunnel and 1 turbo?

I moved mine, from the fake brake ducts to in front of the radiator, there is much more air there,two go to the tunnel and two to the heater etc.