Propane-like smell coming from car.
 

So last weekend I took my car out to the track. Afterward I noticed an propane like smell while driving my car and having the A/C on. I also notice it outside the car shortly after it is parked, and it usually sticks around for a few hours.

Anyone have any ideas? It's running normal and no CEL's have been thrown.

Now that's totally weird.

How many miles on your Z? It's probably not the first time it's been tracked, right? Can you tell it's coming from the engine compartment? The fact that you smell it on the inside (emanating from the vents?) and the outside is interesting.

It is the first time I have tracked it, but I have over 20,000 miles. I haven't yet been able to figure out the place where it is strongest, but it isn't in the engine bay (at least from the top).

If I park my car in my garage after driving it, and then go back out into it anywhere between 20 minutes and a few hours later, I'll smell it in the garage, but I can't narrow it down to a specific spot. Or if I sit idling with the A/C on (but set to use outside air) then I'll smell it.

It's normal.

:icon14: It's normal to smell this through your A/C? I'm pretty sure that isn't true. Especially since I've had the car for over 20k miles and never had this problem until now. It's also extremely prominent in my garage after it's been parked, and again, I've never had this problem until recently.

She's going to blow! :p j/k

I would check things that could of got overheated at the track like P/S fluid, transmission fluid, diff fluid etc. The fluids can have a slightly sulfurous smell that could be interpreted as being similar to propane. I overflowed the P/S fluid at a hot track event and the car smelled pretty bad for a couple of weeks.

Ethanethiol is toxic. It occurs naturally as a minor component of petroleum.

The above is taken from wikipedia. This is the stuff that gives propane that smell. Humans can smell it at super low levels. I noticed you have aftermarket exhaust components? Have you checked for leaks? Also, this smell is common with failing cats. Are they overheating?

And the fact that it is coming through the A/C would make sense if you have the recirc off. The air is just pulled from the cowl.

Okay, thanks guys. I'll check my fluids. What's the easiest way to check for an exhaust leak?

Failing cats are more sulfur than propane, in my experiences... ?? could be wrong

Very similar smell. Like rotten eggs.

check for exhaust leaks could be the heat from the tracking could of caused a leak.

though I have the smell most of the time since I have LTH so I have no cats.

and wondering why you can smell it through the AC?

if the exhaust is leaking and your AC is set to use outside air that means it is sucking up the smell too so its normall you can smell it inside too. if I am standing still or go in reverse for abit I can smell it in my car too

So how can I check for and locate an exhaust leak?

Pop your hood open, you might have a leak near your intake!
Probably a simple fix but you'll be suffering if you don't get that fixed asap.

You can use a small tube and poke it around the exhaust while listening through the other end. Or just carefully feel around.

http://www.dailycognition.com/conten...0/Cat_FAIL.jpg
:roflpuke2:

I get that smell after driving hard, but goes away.

That is a clutch smell. I am 99% sure about it. Since I took mine to the local track and used the clutch hard, it smells just like how you described. Try to slip a clutch a little to see if it smells.

I just noticed that you have an AT. Then, I dont know.....

It might be dissipating a bit, actually. I had a short round trip today, and I smelt it while I was driving, but I barely smelt it once I parked in my garage. The spot where I was smelling it was near my driver side wheel, which I thought was odd. I don't think it was coming from the tire/wheel itself, just from that area.

I'm gonna go for another more spirited drive tomorrow, and see if it either is going away, or I can narrow it down better. I might just take it to the dealer.

:iagree:

You know how that is though, that's a last resort. I can't stand other people messing with my car. Especially when it is more than likely either my exhaust or cat's that are causing the issue, and won't be under warranty.

Rotten Egg Smell
 

I have a "rotten egg smell" that comes into the car through the A/C vents that is most notable when pulling into the garage. Only moderate road driving beforehand but I haven't noticed it stopping on the road. I first thought it might be the clutch as I have a steeply inclined driveway right before the garage, but I'm now thinking it must be something else like the catalitic converters. I've seen this issue posted on other Nissan related sites, but not 370Z. Haven't talked to dealer yet...oh yes, only 2800 miles on the Touring 6MT. Help.

I have had cats go bad without any smell at all, as another data-point.

After my last track day in October, I noticed that my car's interior had a burnt, exhaust, whatever smell for a few weeks. It finally dissipated. I assume it's just the stink from deposits and what not from the exhaust that have percolated through the car and pervaded the interior.

Have you actually given your entire exhaust system a visual inspection? On my previous Z (350Z) I had a thick piece of plastic bag, something a contractor would use, get stuck to my catlaytic convertor and after I removed it and scraped the residue off it still smelled real bad for several weeks. I finally lifted it up and did a real thorough job removing the hardened melted plastic. It was hard to see because it turned brownish black thereby camoflouging it with the rest of the exhaust parts. I'm glad it didn't start a fire.

"Burnin' Clutch?
 

Thanks for the responses guys. The clutch made the most sense to me because of the circumstances but hadn't heard anyone else chat about it. seems odd though from the short usage and then the quick onset of the smell. I'll experiment some more and report back. Happy New year.