Exhaust (?) fumes getting inside 850

starman · Post by **starman** » 24 Mar 2005, 15:50

Hi there!

Well I've very recently purchased what seemed to be an immaculate 850 estate (94 2.0L 20v). Unfortunately it appears to have a serious problem. After driving it a few hours I realised I was experiencing all the classic symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

I put one of those carbon monoxide detectors (that people normally stick next to their central heating boilers) under the bonnet ('hood' in American English?!) and the detector did indeed turn colour, presumably indicating CO (or might this have been due to heat?).

Have had car inspected by Volvo main dealer + 2 exhaust centres and no-one can find anything wrong - exhaust has no leaks. The problem seems at its worse when heater is on but is NOT aggravated by windows being open. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks!

Bernie

lxt · Post by **lxt** » 24 Mar 2005, 17:27

Of course it's not aggravated by an open window. If anything, it'll just dilute the exhaust gas and make things fresher, i.e. better for you.

I think first of all you should be definitive about what gas is in your car. Can you find a better detector or bring it some place where someone can say for sure if it's CO?

If you brought the car to a capable exhaust center, I'd think they'll be able to determine the level of CO from your exhaust. (Here in California they can do it as part of smog check, so I think it's not too hard to do). From what I remember, CO level in exhaust is usually very low, unless something is wrong with your engine and your cat converter. So it's likely not CO (I think).

However if you do get exhaust inside your car it's bad enough. Did you try to let someone at dealer (or exhaust center) run the car on stand while someone is sitting inside? Or take them on a trip if you have to. If they also feel like you say then it's no longer subjective and maybe they'll look harder.[/b]

starman · Post by **starman** » 24 Mar 2005, 18:08

Thanks for that. I now have a good CO meter on its way so hopefully that will establish for sure if CO is culprit. Certainly I'm reacting to SOMETHING and VERY severely too...

By the way, the reason I emphasized that open windows don't aggravate the problem is that I've actually experienced this problem before - many years ago - and it turned out to be be due to fumes leaking in through a tailgate that didn't shut as tightly as it could. This ONLY happened when a window was open as this created a vacuum type effect which sucked the fumes in. I've also been told that if an exhaust has a leak, fumes are more likely to find their way inside if window is open...

As for a CO emissions test, does anyone know for sure whether this can indicate if exhaust is sound?

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 25 Mar 2005, 06:48

The best way to test specific areas for exhaust leaks is to use a mechanic's stethoscope to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from. Once any car gets to be about 10 years old, there is a potential for exhaust leaks. It may be in your best interest to have an exhaust shop fabricate new piping for your exhaust system.

Post by **tina** » 25 Mar 2005, 12:33

Even if it is not CO, it could be carbon dioxide CO2, which can suffocate you in an enclosed space even though it is not toxic like CO. CO actually binds to your red blood cells and excluds oxygen - but CO2 can just mean the oxygen concentration in yuor car drops too low to breathe and you slowly asphyxiate. Not something to play around with!

Check your exhaust recirculation system in the engine - I had exhaust fumes coming in the cab of my 850 when I bought it and it turned out the hose from th flame trap to oil separator was severed... check all your hoses and pipes.

Did the car pass the smog test when you bought it (or are you in a state that does not require it?)

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 25 Mar 2005, 18:12

Do you have the exhaust tip on the end of the tail pipe? Both of my '96s had to be replaced. The shortened pipe will put the exhaust up under the rear bumper

steveaustin1 · Post by **steveaustin1** » 26 Mar 2005, 11:01

Hi - I am experiencing exactly same thing on my V70 2.5t.

I thought it was exhaust fumes to start with but my Volvo dealer showed me under car where loads of oil was pouring out of gearbox/engine interface. Turns out oil was leaking out and burning on block/exhaust and fumes were coming in via air intakes into cabin. The oil seal was replaced but problem persisted. Then looked at pipes between oil seperator and head/crankcase and also pipes going round to exhaust area. the pipes were split and the vacuum pipe clogged so oil vapour was pumping out and coming into cabin. New rubber tubes and a clean up and all is ok.

The vapours were horrible though - I was getting dizzy and breathing problems -Sort it sooner than later!!

steve

8fiddy · Post by **8fiddy** » 02 Apr 2005, 00:23

I've heard this is a symptom of a clogged crankcase breather box or maybe the PCV valve too.

mkmac · Post by **mkmac** » 27 Apr 2005, 09:32

I have had the same problem for 2 years...ever since I bought my '93 850. Recently located the cause, I think...but not the cure, yet. There are 4 rubber hoses coming from the vents that run down the firewall that appear to be designed to draw in fresh air. It seems that if there are any exhaust fumes created by dripping oil on the manifold or a leak in the manifold, the hoses draw these fumes up with the air intake. Thus the smell. I am lookconsidering a fix by either stuffing some filtering material into the hoses or finding a way to extend the hoses away from the source of the fumes. Spring project. Any suggestions out there?

AJU · Post by **AJU** » 27 Apr 2005, 11:46

Those are drain hoses - don't stuff anything in there. Don't just fix symptoms, try to correct the problem - in this case it might be a plugged PCV system that's sprung a leak somewhere.