Well, remember the stinky z? I have extended the tail pipe, checked the exhaust system for leaks and they're aren't any, I replaced the gaskets on the tail light fixture area, and I have a new gasket for the back hatch I still need to put on. I was at the shop where they work on my car in a different car and someone askes me where my z was. so I told him what was going on, and my headaches and he said to put tape all over my hatch area!! the blue painters tape is best! ha ha ha It will come off easier! and tape up my hatch cracks and see if that works. Oh my god! I can't imagind diving my z around with blue painters tape all over it!! anyhow, I may just give it a try.... what the heck! i can pull it off before the sun gets to it! Also my boyfirend thinks I need a new exhaust system.... my mechanic said there is nothing wrong with myne though and it passes the smog test. Does anyone think I may need a new catalic converter or anything?

 

Does it currently have a cat? When I remove the cat on my Z, I reek of exhaust... but w/ my cat on, it's not noticable at all.

 

yes it has a cat, I'm thinking maybe it's not working good, but if that were the case, how could it pass smog? I am really hopeing it's that gasket.... I think it could be. I even lowered the hatch latch as much as I could. Still when I try and pull a piece of paper through the crack it's not tight at all.

 

The federal S30 Z's never had a cat, just the resonator/pre-muffler (often mistaken for a cat converter). The Cali Z's were supposed to have them, though. Is yours a Cali car? If you still have a stock hood, there should be an emissions sticker on it saying if the car was non-catalyst or not.
Dave

 

I'm pretty sure it's a California car, but I'll need to double check. what if it is?
do you think even if my exhaust system has no leaks, could it still be old and need to be replaced? I am deffinately doing the hatch gasket (or tape thing! yikes!) this weekend to see if that'll fix her up.

 

ever check your firewall gromets? those can easily let in exhaust straight to yah

 

The hatch weatherstriping is notorious for letting in exhaust fumes when its not sealing properly. And if its the original weatherstripping then I'd say there's a good chance its not sealing properly If you've already replaced the taillight gaskets then tape up the hatch to seal it and drive around to see if it helps. If the fumes lessen than you know thats your problem. Are you getting fumes even with your windows rolled all the way up?

 

Crawl under the rear end of the car and look at the rear most and bottom most portion of the fenders. This will be the area right below the bumper ends. There will be a floored area, which you'll be looking at from below.

If there are holes into the body anywhere in that area (typically only the driver's side, but it doesn't hurt to check both sides), you'll find that the car is sucking air (and exhaust) back INTO the car.

You might also check one other item that can help cause that problem. If your muffler (and the tailpipe) have been replaced at some time, it is possible that they replaced the tail-pipe with one that is a "wee" bit too short. I'll have to check for the actual projection BEYOND the bottom of the bumper, which then gets the exhaust out past the vacuum of the car as it runs down the road. That vacuum is what old NASCAR drivers used to use to draft the vehicle in front. The Z's shape causes it to have a strong backdraft. If your tail pipe exhausts an inch or two towards the front of the car from the back edge of the bumper it WILL suck exhaust back into the draft. Actually, it doesn't pull it back in....it never had the chance to actually get OUT of it.

Look at pictures of the back ends of Z's and you'll notice that almost every single one has a knee-bonking tailpipe tip.

FWIW
E

 

That was going to be my question - did it pass smog? You said it did. How long ago was that, and did you smell the "rotten eggs" when your car was tested? You're referring to a 1976 280Z, right?

 

Around the hatch is the heaviest draft pressure. You need a new seal carefully insalled. I pulled the carpet and in the dark I shinned a light under the car. Wow! Lots of pin holes. There are body plugs in the floor that deteriorate too. One is a plug on the floor under the antenna. My SuperTrap muffler leaked around the clamp.

 

What do you mean knee-bonking tail pipe?! I have extended my pipe for the second time just recently, like last month.

I was very reluctant, and didn't want to put my z through this embarassment, but I did the blue painters tape on her and sure enough it's the weather stripping on the back hatch. The stripping that's on it is only about 7 years old.... I thought for sure it was still good. Anyhow I drove around with tape and it was Significantly better! I kindof already knew it was the stripping, but my dumb *** mechanic didn't think so and said I should return the new one I bought, that I didn't need it. The one on there looks and feels really good still though. I guess you really do need to install this stuff carefully... I mean I don't want it to mash down too much that I don't get a tight seal. Does anyone have any suggestions on installing this? And for Barbies question, yeah, I've smelled it for a while now... I mean I don't drive the car anymore much, but yeah, even smoged I would smell it. Man... that exhaust musta really killed some brain cells for me not to catch on to this sooner! I did smell it a little with the tape and the windows down, but only a little bit, when I make a turn, or coming off the freeway. It wasn't much,I think I will still check for pin holes. I did check the gromets and they look good! Ya'll have been really helpfull on this for me! Thanks! I can't wait to get this done so I can drive my car again! I miss her so much!

 

oh, it passed smog just last year.

 

Lisa;
Sorry about the confusion regarding the tailpipe. By knee-ponking I was referring to the fact that it sticks out just a bit past the bumper, and when you walk by it can bonk your knee.

Now that you've pretty much narrowed it down to the hatch seals, there is only one other item that, in my opinion, needs to be checked before you get rid of the seals you have now.

That is the Hinge Pocket Rubber "socks" that surround the hinge inside the body and prevent water and air (and exhaust) from being sucked back into the car. These "socks" separate the exterior from the interior of the car (and behind the plastic interior panels, specifically the room light cover/holder), if you have any holes or cracks in them, they will leak air and water.

To check these, open your hatch all the way, and then with an inspection mirror look to the sides of the hatch hinges. It will be a bit tricky to see, and if you don't note any tears or missing pieces of rubber then it should be ok. Sadly, these are items that are NLA and most Z's that have had the hatch hinges removed have problems there.

For What It's Worth
E

 

Thanks, I will check these too. I didn't realize there were rubber socks on the hinges. well, I hope they are still good! :-) yeah, my tail pipe is a little bit of a knee bonker! ha ha ha! it's okay though!