When using heater, thick exhaust smell coming from air vents

[searcherrr]

I realize when you use the heater you aren't using the recirculate feature of the ventilation system, but if we are just sitting for a second (at a light or whatever) with the heater on the smell of the exhaust is thick inside the cabin (as well as the smell of oil since I have an oil leak).

It is obvious to me since I have an all new exhaust piping system, from the heads to the rear, that there is exhaust leaking in the engine bay and I suspect it is at the point where the exhaust manifolds connect to the ypipe (both sides). I'm gonna stuff a bunch of muffler putty in the flared crevices where these connect together (at some point) and hope that makes a difference.

Where is the heater air intake vent on the Windstar and is it the same for where the a/c air comes in as well?

When I have had my cowl off before, I've noticed on side of what looks like some sort of air intake vent there is a large crack along the side of it, but I have never been able to determine this was a crack that went all the way through or just superficial. Is that the same spot where the heater air goes in?

Any other thoughts or ideas? Every time I stop while using the heater, I now turn it off till I get moving again. Smells that much.

Also, is there an air filter in the ventilation system in the van?

[northern piper]

I'm betting that you're getting exhaust going thru the cabin filter and into the cabin from the engine compartment. If there's a big crack I'd be checking there but honestly, the exhaust leak is your first priority. I'd be taking a look at the leak pronto.

[danielsatur]

Consider recycle cabin air instead of fresh/carbon/burnt oil air from the engine bay.
It could be as simple as needing new valve cover gaskets.

[searcherrr]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

Consider recycle cabin air instead of fresh/carbon/burnt oil air from the engine bay.
It could be as simple as needing new valve cover gaskets.

No its not that.. this is a nearly new engine.

I'm sure this is the exhaust leaking where it attaches to the Ypipe because the exhaust pipes were always just a lil bit too big for the exhaust manifolds... they are flared at the wrong lengths and widths just a tad.

I just really would like to know where the air enters the cabin.

I'll fix the exhaust leak as soon as I can, but its been there for years now.

[olopezm]

According to my manual:

Outside air is drawn into the system from the cowl, through the blower inlet into the A/C evaporator housing

The only difference is how much air goes through the heater core.

Oscar.

[searcherrr]

Ok thanks.

What about a cabin air filter? Do our vans have that?

[danielsatur]

A filter is not going to protect you against carbon monoxide poison.

[olopezm]

I know for sure mine has it, but don't know if earlier models do.

[scubacat]

To narrow it down a bit, try using "Max A/C" and see if the smell goes away. That setting recirculates the air instead of pulling from outside.

[olopezm]

I remember my Pontiac would smell weird when turning on the A/C. I always used MAX A/C until I read somewhere that it causes mold to buildup faster than other modes.

From that moment I decided to use the normal A/C from time to time to help with the smell (read that somewhere) and it really has helped with it. No more nasty smells from the A/C.

[scubacat]

To prevent the mold, just turn off the a/c and run outside air for 15-20 seconds before you shut off the vehicle. That dries out the evaporator.

My suggestion was just to compare other settings to max a/c to try and pinpoint the source, not to run max a/c all the time.