24 replies to this topic

[YellowPeril]

My mum and girlfriend always used to say that they got headaches when riding in my car and could smell fumes. I never could, and never really got headaches.

About 3 weeks ago I had a really bad migraine, lasted 3 days, and I'm thinking it could be to do with my car. For the past three weeks I have been travelling in my car to and from work (30/40 mins each way), when normally i would do the journey once or twice a week. Ever since the migraine incident i my peripheral vision is not as good, when focusing on a word the surrounding words are not as focused, making it hard to "read ahead".

After doing some research I have worryingly found that Carbon Monoxide can lead to headaches, dizzyness, eyesight problems and nausea, all of which I experienced when I was ill and since then to a lesser extent. I now drive with the window partially open to get some fresh air in, but still feel "lightheaded" a lot of the time.

This is really worrying me as I am going to be starting flying college in september and a blind pilot is not a good pilot.

I have tried putting a rag over the exhaust and the engine keeps running due to exhaust fumes exiting through the rag, i shoved a lemon up the pipe and i found it hard to start until I kicked in and shot the lemon into my dads car!

Its a daily drive for me and I need this sorted, how can i check for leaks? Use a bit of snoop around all exhaust gaskets? Where would it be coming in? Air vents? Window seams? Through bulkhead holes.

Not sure if it is just a coincidence but the migraine incident happened after I removed the bulkhead soundproofing (rust trap) and took out the 3 dial speedo rack and filled the 4 holes in the bulkhead with mastic.

If anyone can help either how to find the leak, or whether you have any knowledge of carbon monoxide poisining symptoms/longevity.

Many thanks

Matt

[T.Harper]

Make sure the gasket is sealing properly at the head, and that the exhaust is not leaking at the bottom of the manifold - these cause exhaust gases up the front of the car.

Having the window open actually does weird things to air flow, and it is possible for fumes to make it back into the car at some speeds.

If you have a centre exit exhaust, consider a side exit. There have been many reports of centre exits being noisier and smellier in the car.

Make sure the boot seal is sealing properly, or fumes make it into the boot and then diffuse into the cabin.

Make sure mixture is ok. An overly rich running car stinks and really gives me a headache quickly!

You'll generally find that fresh air from the blower is better than opening a window when in stationary traffic in a mini for fumes. Don't know why, just something I've observed! probably because its sucking air from a CAT car in front of you rather than breathing your own stinking unCAT fumes lol

[YellowPeril]

sorry about the double post, just really quite worried now as its my whole career and a lot of money and my health!

[T.Harper]

also, if you have attached breather filters to your engine, reroute them back to your carb. These release oily fumes and volatile organics which cause nausea too.

[Juju]

Get a CO detector (available in all hardware stores - designed to stick to your gas boiler at home) & stick it in the cabin of your car.
The migraine could actually be due to a number of things, but check the CO levels in your car, just to make sure.
I've no idea how you check for leaks in your exhaust system, though, sorry!

[pantera2075]

I'm no expert on this, but mild CO poisoning is just like a bad hangover. Get a bit more and you can get symptoms very close to "The bends" a bit more then you fall asleep and die.

I'd see your doctor, your later symptoms sound like aftermath of Migraine - but I doubt caused by the fumes.
Migraine it's thought is mostly due to an allergic reaction.

To be sure, i'd completely take off the exhaust and re-fit while checking for any leaks. Check for petrol leaks - fumes can get you high - again headache and blurred vision. Check also for oil leaks onto hot parts causing fumes, and check that your engine breathers are piped correctly.

Also, if not done recently, get your eyes checked.

[Ethel]

You can buy CO detectors, much like domestic smoke detectors, you could put one in your car for peace of mind. The symptoms sound correct, but I'd imagine they would fit other causes and even if it was CO poisoning there could be another cause. I'm no doctor, seeing one may be a good idea as I'm sure a blood test would be conclusive. CO permanently bonds to your haemoglobin so it will be detectable, and cause hypoxia, until the cells are replaced.

[Aus]

This may sound dumb but make sure the end of exhaust is actually at least level or even an inch or so beyond the rear bumper. I've seen many minis with exhausts that have been cut, modified or just badly fitted and dont expel the gasses out behind the car. The airflow can trap the these gases under the car so they seep into the boot and through into the cabin

[biggav]

check the vent pipe on the fuel tank too.. that will fill your car with fumes.

I did all i could to my car to stop fumes getting in, the centre exhaust was deffinatley a major factor, when i drove back from Riviera and L2b last year, i looked (and smelled) like a WW2 fighter pilot, oily film all over me.

[YellowPeril]

Thanks for all the replies, I will be arranging an appointment with my doctor to try and do a carboxyhemoglobin test.

Have just checked my car
1. The Boot seal, seems (excuse the pun) to be sealing as i have to push it to compress the seal enough to engage the lock, though there is a fumey/petroly smell in the boot, have check the breather pipe and its firmly attached to the tank
2. Exhaust exit, I have a centre exit exhaust, the bottom edge (slightly angled up ~15deg) lines up just behind the bumper. This may need extending then, a side exit unfortunately money time and skill wise it a worst case scenario
3. Oil Deposits, recently I have been trying to set my tappets correctly as the rocker noise has increased when i last adjusted them and some oil appears to be on the engine block which will be burning off when driving, I will order a new gasket and some gasket seal, clean the area and see if it stops.
4. Engine breathers, i have removed the breather from the engine to the air filter to increase airflow, but none others.
5. Mixture, my mixture is rich (AAM) so will change back to AAC and see if that helps.
6.Will get a CO monitor and test the cabin.

Many thanks for all the replies.

Windows will be wide open this weekend (120 mile trip to Cotswolds!)

[Kernal H]

DON'T OPEN WINDOWS WHEN MOVING! My friends car has some kind of leaky exhuast, the garage have told him not to open the window or he will get poisened by the gases. I think it comes throught the bulkhead, sucked in by the lower pressure in the cabin. Anyway, I'd do as others have said and try and find the cause. a Carbon Monoxide meter will tell you if the levels inside are dangerous, the one I had was stupidly loud, loud enough to hear in a mini!!!

Edited by Kernal H, 21 May 2008 - 12:52 PM.

[YellowPeril]

Just seen this

Influence of CO gas on an adult:
200ppm: Headache and nausea after 2-3 hours.
400ppm: Headache and nausea within 2 hours, life-threatening after 3 hours.
800ppm: Headache and nausea within 45 min., fatal after 2-3 hours.
1600ppm: Headache and nausea within 20 min., fatal after 1hours.

This is worrying as i sometimes get a bit of lightheadedness asfter 40 mins driving, meaning fatal after 2-3 hours!

scary stuff

[Ethel]

The effects are cumulative, so if you already had CO in your bloodstream, an extra dose would effect you sooner. Using the fresh air vents could be the best option as they are fed fresh air from in front of the car - unless you are tail gating a huge diesel truck

My money would be on the engine breather if there is a problem.

[lrostoke]

The engine breather sounds most likelly..

Also you mention its running rich, your profile suggests you have a 998 Stage 1. The AAM will be rich for that setup, you really want AAU or AAA

AAC is standard needle will run weak.

Have you checked for leaks in the exhaust at all the joints not just the manifold, put your hand round (not on) when running you should feel any leaks

[T.Harper]

whack the breather back to the carb, it doesn't detract from airflow, just burns off the fumes. Is also better for a road engine to be hooked up this way as it favous oil seal longevity. Extending the exhaust sounds a good idea too.