2003 Montana exhaust smell in car at idle

[bsg]

When the car is parked, running at idle with the heat on. There is a strong exhaust smell in the car. If the recirculation switch on the smell goes away. It only comes in with the recirculation switch off. Which draws air from the outside in. I've checked the tailpipe for proper length, all the window seals and exhaust system for leaks. All check good. The dealer has done the same. They say turn the recirculation on ( no outside air ). In this configuration, the floor heat does not work.

[GregA]

Originally Posted by bsg

When the car is parked, running at idle with the heat on. There is a strong exhaust smell in the car. If the recirculation switch on the smell goes away. It only comes in with the recirculation switch off. Which draws air from the outside in. I've checked the tailpipe for proper length, all the window seals and exhaust system for leaks. All check good. The dealer has done the same. They say turn the recirculation on ( no outside air ). In this configuration, the floor heat does not work.

That's quite a "dealer" you have there. I guess they don't like to work on HVAC issues.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for this one, except maybe look for another dealer or other shop. Is the van still under warranty?

Take Care,

[bsg]

Yes I did try another dealer. They told me my cross over exhaust pipe was cracked. Which it is not. I bought the extended warrenty 7yr/75,000 mile. If you read the fine print. The warrenty does not cover fluids, exhaust system, cleaning etc. Which is totally undertstandable. But when I had my intake manifold gasket changed, the wanted to charge me for repalceing the anti-freeze, and engine flush, oil system flush, and oil cahnge. For a grand total of 400+ dollars. That's a bunch of garbage. The dealer said the warrenty would cover the intake manifold gasket replacement + labor and I was responsable for the rest.
Thanks for your feedback.

[BIGPROFITT]

Sounds to me like the exhaust flange gasket. Goes between the exhaust manifold and the tail pipe, and is shaped like a doughnut. About $8 at the parts store and not hard to change.