Exhaust fumes inside car when window is down

Hi everyone,

I've recently noticed exhaust fumes coming into the car when driving with the window open. I've replaced the tailgate seal for a new genuine item which has helped but I'm still getting fumes in the car. I also checked to make sure the exhaust isn't leaking and all holes are covered. Anyone else have this problem or can offer any advice.

Thanks

Well, from one who has had this issue.  Make sure that your Manifold isn't cracked if it is the 90ish.

All 3 of my 90 Cabriolets had cracked manifolds.
Then on Toilet Bowel exhausts the Gasket between the manifold and the down pipe can get holed and leak there….

I have also had exhaust pipes get holed on the top where you can't see them, as well as the rear silencer (muffler) look brand spanking new on the bottom but caved in at the top.

There is also a Rubber seal on the Rain tray if missing can cause the fumes to enter through the heater blower.

Simple check for holes - start the car and cover exhaust with your hand if fully seals it will stall or get close to stalling. If it keeps ticking over happy then you have a leak.

Also is it a standard exhaust. It had the problem before - not on a golf - where the exhaust pipe stopped just an inch short or so of where it should be and it basically got caught in the back draft behind the car at slow to moderate speed and made it way in. Cheep check for this is to buy one of those cheep chrome tail pipes and extend the exhaust but put some duck tape around to give a good seal, do a test drive and see. If gone the you know the issue just then need to find a fix that looks up to standard. Note don't leave the tape on permanent it will melt and make smells come in the car.




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Thank you both for your help. I'll check what you have suggested and report back. Although it is strange how I only get fumes into the car when the window is open. Doesn't happen when the window is closed.

When the window is open you could create an air passage from say around the handbrake through and out the car. Just a guess but something like that may be happening so when the window is closed they blow right away under the car. Open windows essentially cause a small vacuum on the car and suck air out rather than blow air in. If air is leaving through the window then it needs to enter from somewhere else or you will implode into a golf shaped black hole :-)


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Cheers for your help. I've only tried extending the tail pipe so far which did help but now its back the same. I do find now the tail pipe is extended and don't smell the exhaust gas as much when opening the door after parking up. Although I cant smell it I think exhaust gasses may also be getting into the car with the windows shut now as well I start to get an irritated feeling in my throat. Will look into the other suggestions.

Check the steering UJ rubber boot (inside the engine bay near the exhaust down pipe)  it's very close to the exhaust and goes brittle over time and can crack (big block engines only)

here should also be a seal inside the car which is around the UJ.
Looks like this but picture is not great and showing the side view.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steering-column-bulkhead-seal-Golf-MK1-Jetta-Scirocco-Caddy-171419547A-Genuine-/172750539117?hash=item2838bc096d:g:eVkAAOSwq~tZUiaC

Thanks for the suggestion, I will get this checked. I've also checked the exhaust, manifold and manifold to down pipe gasket all are ok. I understand if there are openings into the car that fumes can get in, but if the exhaust isn't leaking anywhere which it isn't then I don't see where the fumes could be coming from, unless they are making there way in from the tail pipe from a door or window seal or something. More investigation needed.

Did you find a solution to this? I'm having the same issue on my '79 1100