Still Smokin...

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Has anyone else had a problem with exhaust fumes in their 181? I have noticed that i am breathing in fumes while im driving it. The exhaust is new but its the standard beetle exhaust with the little chrome pipe extensions.

Anyone else?
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Woreign]

Sure you're not smelling gas vapor from the trunk? Since you have a 70 Thing without the heat exchangers, I don't know how fumes would make it into your cabin... I do know that exhaust from the heater will blow into the cabin if your windows are too drafty.

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Its not when the top is up. Its when the windows are off and the top is down. Im wondering if its the type of exhaust with the tip extensions. I don't get it. I have smelled gas when i turn but the smell is definitely from the exhaust.
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Fun 181]

I've always had a noticeable smell of exhaust fumes in my cabin, and it doesn't matter whether the top is up or down. Even after short trips with the top down my clothes will reek of exhaust smell. At least I haven't gotten a headache lately.

I know this isn't a faulty exhaust issue. Every component of my exhaust system (and engine for that matter) is brand new.

I'm thinking that the exhaust exits the pipes and then gets caught in the dead spot behind the vehicle as it travels. It then blows up and back going into the cabin area. The same thing happens in my 4Runner with the back window down.

I've got an aftermarket Thing exhaust. I added pipe extensions that direct the fumes out and down. They look cool, but they haven't seemed to make a difference. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious concern. I try to avoid long trips with the top up, and have been putting up with the smell when I drive with the top down. Not good.
_________________

[181freak]

i am having the same problem. what exhaust are you running? it looks like the trimill.. am i right??

i knew i wasnt the only one.. any ideas.. anyone?

[Towel Rail]

There's no chance of carbon monoxide poisoning with the top down.

Perhaps your car is running rich?
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

I don't know about that. I had a 74 chevy for a couple years that messsed up my lungs from driving it with an exhaust leak. It was a slight leak but after long trips your eyes would hurt and eventually you'll developing a nasty cough that takes a while to clear. I've notice it in the 181 lately now that the weather is colder.

My friend had a 60's mustang with the same problem. He had to sell it and ended up having to see the doc because his cough was so bad.
This is definitely not something to take lightly.

Im guessing the military life expentancy for german troops wasn't long enough for them to develop any type of respiratory issues.

There has to be a spot in the back of the car where the fumes are getting caught and circulating. Does anyone have a wind tunnel we can borrow???
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Oh yeah and the carb isn't running rich at all. It passed emission so clean you would have believed it and in az. I also thinned it out just a little and it has stayed that way since.

very strange but i'll have to borrow my friends garage to build a wind tunnel or something.
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Thingggg]

Would a smoke test work?
The kind auto shops use to check for leaky intake suff.
Just an idea, I can't remember how much, (if any), smoke makes it out the exhaust.

How about having a friend dumping a little storage oil down the carb when its reved up and yo watch from under. This will make it smoke like a banchee and you might see something leak out a gasket or something.

http://www.aatecusa.com/smokemachine/index.htm

[Fun 181]

[xeno]

If your worried about CO in the cabin, you could always get one of those CO detectors and place it in the cabin. Convertables by nature draw air from the rear (of the car). Because the windshield causes a low pressure just about where you set. This is very noticeable by the older two seater convertables. The newer cars put a draft shield right behind the front seats.

X

[Ian Epperson]

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Check out this article. Not good. My friend told me he ended up puking blood after a while but he drove his gas chamber mustang on very long trips out of state occasionally.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_5_227/ai_97174312
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Woreign]

I've never noticed any problems driving my Thing (other than from the heater exhaust). I've driven a few 200+ mile round trips with the top up and down with no ill effects. Very odd that some have the problem and other don't. I hope I'm not slowly poisoning myself and not knowing...

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Your eyes will hurt along with a headache. Its not good at all. You will feel strangely ill.

Do you have a roll cage and what type of top do you have. May a bikin top would help.
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Towel Rail]

Hmm. I still find it hard to believe that one can get carbon monoxide poisoning in open air, but I guess it happens. Weird.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Yeah its not cool at all. You would think if you are going fast enough it wouldn't matter. I think it somehow circulates the air back in and keeps in within the compartment. I dont know how it would do it with the top up but it does happen with the top down to me. Im thinking of incoporating a draft shield with a roll bar. Not sure i have to look into it. I still drive it anyways but my plans for driving it up north over 100 miles will have to wait. Dam it.
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Skorzeny's G Ride]

Can anyone help with finding articles regarding convertibles and, or exhaust fume issues. Im trying to see what i can come up with. There have to be options for how to divert air flow. I've been curious as to those small screen behind the seats in some luxury sports cars.
_________________
...70 type 181
...59 Beetle
...62 beetle baja (new)

[Towel Rail]

One possible fix might be to change the exhaust so that it exits to one corner, like the Type III and Bus. IIRC, the Bus had similar issues -- the area of low pressure behind the body caused exhaust fumes to enter through the rear window if it was open. When the exhaust exits to one corner of the body, it stands a better chance of being "blown away" by road draft.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009