Exhaust or petrol fumes in car

[LotusElan17]

The car is a motorsport bodied Elise, when driving after a period of an hour or so I am experiencing coughing fits and heartburn indicating fumes in the car, although there is no discernable smell, that is until I open the window and there is a definite smell but I can't tell if it fuel or exhaust related. Anyone else experienced similar?

There doesn't appear to be a fuel leak, i.e. nothing dripping under the car, the exhaust is relatively new Janspeed full stainless, again no evidence of a leak into the engine bay, which is something I did suspect, the fumes leaking through the motorsport slats and being drawn into the interior through aerodynamics.

I'm just wondering if this is a characteristic of the motorsport body and would not occur with the normal Exige engine cover.

Rather worrying as I have a few track days lined up and I don't want to pass out at the wheel!!!

[gooby]

The closest advice I can give was a problem on a MK1 Mr2 with fuel smell in the car causing the same symptoms. The problem was solved with a new fuel filler cap.

Not much help really.

[LotusElan17]

Thanks for suggestion, might try a different petrol cap, possibility that it is not venting properly. Search on Exiges.com seems to confirm probable leaking exhaust filling engine bay and being drawn into the cabin by the low pressure area when the window is open, trouble is I can't find an obvious blow in the exhaust!!

>> Edited by LotusElan17 on Tuesday 21st March 10:16

[lawrence5]

LotusElan17 said:

Thanks for suggestion, might try a different petrol cap, possibility that it is not venting properly. Search on Exiges.com seems to confirm probable leaking exhaust filling engine bay and being drawn into the cabin by the low pressure area when the window is open, trouble is I can't find an obvious blow in the exhaust!! >> Edited by LotusElan17 on Tuesday 21st March 10:16

Ding - had this on my s1 after repalcing the exaust. Garage re-torqued the cat bolts and it stopped. Was only being drawn in when the window was open..... makes you feel very ill though