I purchased a 1998 S70 about a month ago and ask the dealer to fix the cause of a smell coming into the car at red lights. It has come back and the dealer is going to look at it again. I'd like to have an idea what it is before it goes back to the shop.

When we come to a red light and sit and wait for the light to change we get a dose of a smell that I believe can only gas fumes or exhaust. This goes away when we pull away from the light and don't notice it again until the next light.

The other day (when I made the appointment) I went to change a head light bulb and had the hood up. When I had my daughter start the car and it has idling as I was facing the engine compartment I saw what looked like vapor of exhaust raising up around the area or the mass air flow sensor or between the engine and the air filter housing. We also notice the same smell at this time as we stood in front of the car.

Could this be the cause and/or what might cause this smell?

Dan

 

It could be alot of things.
Bad vaccum hose.
Plugged vent system causing fumes from vent system to escape somewhere.

 

Thanks Tech. I'll leave to the dealer to fix.
Dan