I have a 2001 STR that is bone stock. It has about 90k miles on it. The other day, I was driving along (semi aggressively on the street) and I noticed a strong smell....sorta like gas or exhaust. Almost like a carb car that is running to rich. Then, the car started to hesitate. A message showed on the dash that said "restricted performance."

I limped the car home and started it again in the morning. It idled extremely rough. So, I had it flatbedded to my mechanic. He plugged it into the machine and their were no fault codes. He started it and it ran rough for about 10 minutes and then was fine. He drove it for a few days and said there were no issues.

So, I picked it up and started to drive it. Although it drives fine, I still smell a fuel/exhaust smell. It isn't as strong as before, but it is still there as my daughter noticed it and thought I had farted in the car.

So, back it went to the mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong. He even put it on the smog machine and said that it ran so clean you could start it in your bedroom.

This issue is baffling to me. Anyone else run across this problem?

Thanks.

Paul

LOL! "Farted in the car"? Def. can relate to the "Fart Blame Game". Now back to business: There wasn't a 2001 STR. Do you have a late model 2002 STR? Your cats may be on the way out.

oops, it is a 2003...typo. The mfg date is 04/02. Any help would be great. Also, when we put it on the smog machine, it registered "0" across the board. Very clean burning...

Thx

Paul, not to jinx ya, but, the emissions tested clean then but an intermittant issue could be on the way, eventually rearing its head. Upon a cold start up, do you hear rattling about the cats?

No rattle. sounds and drives fine...

Did you notice the smell after adding or topping up the fuel? It is entirely possible the problem was some poor quality fuel.

I guess you need to clarify: are you describing a raw fuel odour or is it more of a 'rotten eggs' type smell that your daughter noticed? I'm always amazed how children will often say what the adults are thinking!

NBCat

The hesitation situation did come within 10 miles of filling up with gas. Since then, I've put in another 2 tanks.

Has there been a recurrence of the symptoms after the other two tank-fulls?

NBCat

no symptoms...just the smell.

Try using a different brand of fuel such as Chevron. Their 'Techron' additive does a good job on keeping the fuel injectors and hoses in good shape. Other quality fuel brands should bring similar results.

NBCat

Ok...I will. The fuel I put in at first was shell...within 10 miles starting having the issues. I will be putting my 2nd tank of Chevron in this week...fingers crossed.

Might not apply but I have a 2005 STR and the one and only recall was for a fuel tank problem and one of the symptoms was a strong fuel smell. Might check if the 2003 STR had the same recall??
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Are you describing a raw fuel odour or a 'rotten egg' smell from the exhaust? The rotten egg, sulphur odour has nothing to do with the fuel tank.

NBCat

+1 on that. You need to be sure which it is: raw fuel or something else. If the latter, what?

I think we might have narrowed it down to a small oil leak at the valve covers that is dripping on the manifold. not 100% sure, but we are going to try that first...

Yes, engine oil getting onto the exhaust can produce an acrid, burning smell inside the car, especially if you have the window down on the side with the oil leak.

NBCat

S-type 2.7 as it got colder I can hear a hum or wind sound alongside engine noise then smell of diesel. I can isolate with internal air only button. I seems to have started when the temp dropped to below zero. I have had the particulate filter removed. I do use shell vitro and an occasional additive. Any ideas folks?

mine as the same problem with smell in car, mine was /is cam cover pipe as a leak on drivers side and when done a smoke test it was pissing out, but as the weather as gone cold it will keep till spring or a warm day.