Exhaust Smell in Cabin when Heat is On

[rachelsi]

I have a 2006 ZX4 and for about a week and a half now I've noticed that when I'm sitting idling at a stop light and I have my heat on, I get a very strong, bad smell like something is leaking or maybe exhaust in the cabin of the car. I have started turning off the heat when I come to stoplights and also cracking the window just to be on the safe side, but I"m concerned about what could be causing this problem. I'm taking my car to someone on Saturday and wanted to have some ideas about what could be causing the problem when I talk to him. Has anyone experienced this? Do you have an idea what could be causing this problem?

[Sponsor]

[Focus_Happy]

Sounds to me like you have an exhaust leak in your engine bay. The ventilation intake is under the passenger side cowling, so when you aren't moving the exhaust accumulates and is sucked in by your vent. I'd check to make sure all of your exhaust tubing is intact and that your exhaust bolts are securely fastened.

[rachelsi]

Aaahhh, that makes sense. Now I'm wondering... I had my brakes worked on the weeked before last and right after that, the smell started. I wonder if they knocked something loose underneath the car when they put it on the lift to work on my brakes. Could that happen?

[old1030]

Could be some spilled brake fluid burning on the exhaust/engine block or oil residue on the brake pads that will wear off eventually. Maybe it could even be a sticking caliper. Did you drive it enough to break in the pads since the brake job?