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Triumph TR6 - Exhaust fumes...

Q for those with non standard exhaust pipes...

I have a Double S stainless steel system on my 6 and the tail pipes are upswept to just under the bumper. I'm also driving with baggage on a luggage rack. Might this be causing more than normal draft vacuum immediately behind the car with the fumes getting back into the car?

The weather's been cold and rainy at times on this cross country trip so the top's been up. Despite windows part way down, vents open, etc. we smell fumes all day and frankly our clothes stink of engine combustion.

BTW, one of the mechanics noticed that the pipe connections are poor... not married up together very well so there could be leaks at those points but I would have thought the fumes would blow out from under the car and down the road behind me. Maybe they're not.

Any ideas before I slump over behind the wheel?

Thank you.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken-I used to be plagued with a strong exhaust odor in the trunk&cockpit. It seemed to be coming from the trunk. Oddly enough, unzipping the rear window seemed to reduce or eliminate the odor.
The cure was to make sure the tail light gaskets were sealed with strip caulk (dum dum) and to intall the trunk lid gasket with the joint at the top of the opening. Also, plug any holes in the trunk and fix the leaks in the exhaust system. We no longer have to carry a canary on trips.
Have the problems you have suffered on your trip provided an inspiration for a title? I sure the trip will be much more memorable than if everything went smoothly.
Good luck
Berry Price
BTP Price

Thanks for the laugh Berry (canary). We are half way home here in eastern Saskatchewan with at least three long days ahead of us. You are right... this messed up trip has been a hoot at times and no doubt we'll laugh about it 'till we're in the home.

We have done some duck taping (concourse level duck taping of course) and when I'm home I'll work on the details you mentioned. Never thought of the tail lights.

Funny thing... my co-pilot on the trip is a retired firefighter and he's suggesting positive pressure respirators ;).

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Wounded on the Wet Coast
Hippie Snookers Boomer
Grown Man Cries
Lost in Lala Land

Okay Berry... the title still needs work.
Ken Shaddock

Maybe "Smokey and the bandit" or "Triumph and disaster"? Maybe you could copyright and publish your adventure to recoup some of the costs.
My favorite Triumph story was written by Peter Egan and appeared in Feb. 1994 issue of Road&Track. It was titled "Triumphs and Other Disasters",in which Peter describes his struggle of maintaining his first sports car, a TR3 on the shoe string budget of a college student. In the end, the TR3 won.
Berry
BTP Price

...but that was a young guy: we old fellows know that treachery and tyranne will TRIUMPH over youth every time... Ken will win!
Rob Gibbs

Hey Rob... isn't your car French Blue? I have a restored factory hard top back in BC and it's painted 126. Let's make a deal so I can start putting $$$ back into my bank account ;).

Berry... this winter I should indeed write the story. It would make anyone having a rough time with a LBC feel better. I need therapy first and I'll capture the debriefing and regression on tape as a starter.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken-Sign me up for an autographed first edition copy.
Rob-As an old guy, I sometimes feel like tinkering with British cars fits the definition of insanity-doing the same thing over and ever, expecting a different result.
Berry

BTP Price

Ken, I had that problem with the Monza Exhaust. We welded about 6 inches into the pipes, extending the exhaust, and it solved the problem.

John
JL Bryan

Next week I'll get the car into a local shop (on a hoist) and take a look at the exhaust but in the meantime I will follow-up on the suggestions. I'm hoping I can buy more rubber grommet & plug kits to properly seal off the factory body holes throughout.

Thanks guys...

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Hi Ken,
Welcome home !
I bought these pipe extensions at Parts Source for $10 each..they go on with a screw driver in 5 mins. I noticed that I don't get exhaust stain on the white paint under the bumper anymore especially after a long drive.
I still get exhaust wiffs in the car when the tops down and the wind is right or wrong in this case. I tend to believe that since so many TR6 owners mention the exhaust problem it must just be a design problem we are stuck with
Cheers
Charlie

Charlie B.

Hey thanks Charlie. I thought my issue was in part due to the centre placed twin upswept design of the pipes from Double S. I see you have a stock style of pipe and still get fumes at times. I'm pretty sure I hear an exhaust noise under the car so when I can get access to a hoist next week I'll check that out. I'm sure the pipes aren't connected properly and the fibre tranny cover is likely allowing fumes in. I'm down for the count at the moment with my back screwed up otherwise I'd be into all the fixes. A few months on my own in a heated shop would be nice right about now.
Ken
Ken Shaddock

I just took up the carpet and found that the fibre transmission cover / propeller tunnel was not bolted down nor did it have any seals. When we opened windows we inadvertently invited the rush of air up from the engine compartment. Duh! I'll order a seal kit and set of fasteners. I've also order new gaskets for the rear sidemarkers and taillights as suggested. Thanks again.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken
I'm so sorry you have been given the wrong end of the poop stick...these guys maybe did a great exterior job ( so far ) but they have really cut corners in a lot of areas it appears...I hope you can recoup something from them

Charlie
Charlie B.

Ken,
Thanks for the lesson for us all you've learned. The transmission tunnel seal is essential, but surely you must also have exhaust pipe leaks too.
db
Doug Baker

Yep... I can hear the puff/hiss sounds midship and will get that fixed next week when I get access to a hoist. I don't think axle stands will give me enough space to work with strength/leverage.

Just think... if this car had been perfect I would have learned nothing. I've got a whole new, exciting and adventurous learning curve ahead of me. Ken.
Ken Shaddock

Ken

Talked about this in another one of your threads. Yes a lot of TR owners talk about the smell with standard exhaust systems. I now see yours are at the center. You will get more smell than stock systems. It sounds like extensions will help.

Rick C























Rick Crawford

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2008 and 02/10/2008

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