Exhaust smells bad?? (outside only)

[jamesj2k]

Noticed that over the past 10 days my exhaust (outside) smells different then I remember. More potent and"stinky".

I don't smell anything inside cab, just outside after I park and get out of car.


Any ideas?

[brainpan]

Bad cats maybe

Sent from my Note 5

[BernanksBeard]

Bad cats smell like rotten eggs... Most likely the problem

[B8 S4]

I dont know about rotten eggs but if you have ever been by a catless car you would know.

[StealthBlackA4]

Sounds like bad cats...

[q5 dave]

I dont know about rotten eggs but if you have ever been by a catless car you would know.

would smell like a gas station

[jimrobbington]

Is there any color to the exhaust? If something new were burning up, like oil or coolant, you would likely see smoke of some sort. If you're exhaust is still clear, i would agree with the cat suggestion.

[jimrobbington]

E85 will also change the smell of your exhaust

[jamesj2k]

Color looks normal. Definitely not like bad eggs. Smells different then normal gas station "smell". Filled up with shell 93 and still same smell. I guess If I had toe explain..it smells like nasty un-refined gas f there is such a smell

I think I am still under my CPO warranty. Is cat converter covered under usual CPO warranty (my dealer should be TD1 friendly If I'm flagged).

[jamesj2k]

I also experience no los sof power or acceleration issues. Nothing seemed to have changes but the smell. I will get under the car and check it out later today. Wonder is there may be data from "road debris".

If not damage, I will give the dealer a ring.

Any other ideas?

[jsh139]

Color looks normal. Definitely not like bad eggs. Smells different then normal gas station "smell". Filled up with shell 93 and still same smell. I guess If I had toe explain..it smells like nasty un-refined gas f there is such a smell

I think I am still under my CPO warranty. Is cat converter covered under usual CPO warranty (my dealer should be TD1 friendly If I'm flagged).

The cat isn't covered under CPO, but it would be covered under the Federal emissions warranty (8 yrs/80,000 miles) if it were malfunctioning.

[jamesj2k]

Ok...new info. Just went outside. Temp is about 58 degrees. No damage noted under car.

The drivers side exhaust is a lot smokier (no smoke from left exhaust pipe) and that is where the bulk of the smell if coming out of.

Are we pretty sure its the left (driver) cat converter at this point?

[jamesj2k]

UPDATE:
The exhaust was smoking because it was cool and warming up. Its ok once it warms up.

I am taking it to the dealer for possible rear diff. fluid leak. The fluid leaks on back of exhaust and is the culprit of the smell.

[jamesj2k]

Probably my final follow up on this...I think I figured it out. I am finishing up this post for future members in case this arises.

I always use to carry a spare quart of oil in the spare tire compartment. The bottle of oil for some reason leak inside and dripped out the back of the car where the spare tire compartment is. I am 99% sure that is what caused the bad exhaust smell. Saw dealer and they noticed some "grease sweat" around the axle but it was "normal".

I hope that's all it was.