1999 xk8 convertable. Getting a fuel/exhast smell in cabin. Does not smell like raw fuel. Does not seem to come from under hood.Does have a little smell in trunk,but not as strong. Seems to do it after it is warm. (it has been 105 here lately, could be a factor)

Thanks, Joe

 

Make sure your battery is vented properly.

 

If you can't identify it as fuel...most can immediately be diagnosed as such i'd check the exhaust for leaks past the cat's. pinpointing the source (front 1/2 or rear 1/2 will lead you down totally different paths.

 

If it's a kind of burning oil smell, it could be the transmission. I had this under fairly harsh acceleration until I had the transmission oil & filter changed a couple of weeks ago. It now seems fine.

 

I have a 2000 xk8 with 48K miles, and I have a burning smell too. At first the problem was bad valve cover seals. But after I installed new seals, the smell came back. I think I may have a blow by problem and that is the source of the burning oil smell.

I would check for oil leaks first; especially around the valve cover. My car seems to suck in any smell from the engine compartment very easily. Hope this helps

 

A previous post explains about the different possible smells, but I remember that the owner identified where the smell was coming from. Then he changed either the fuel vent hose or canister.