exhaust smell

[CKniht90]

Once in a while I go out with my 944 to hang out with these guys I just hang with when I feel like being around people who appreciate cars. Everyone of them has nice to decent cars, most of them modified. We all meet up and hang out, then go cruising in large groups. I had a guy behind me while we all are on the interstate ramp. Everyone in front of me starts flooring it. So I speed up. We get back to where we hang out at and the guy behind me tells me that my exhaust smells like lighter fluid? He says I have high carbon emission? or something with carbon emission? What would cause this? I've never noticed any smell or never had any other color of smoke come out of my 944.

[Tidybuoy]

I can't diagnose the problem but the smell could have also been coming from one of the cars in front of you and since you were in a group, he just thought it was you.

[CKniht90]

Well once we got on the interstate.. Everyone went waayy faster then I did. like 100+ I only stayed around 80. So did the guy behind me. He stayed on my ass lol, it was just a Acura Integra with Cold air Intake. I stayed in the back because usually when im in the front of the group everyone wants to speed. I have a perfect driving record and want to keep it that way lol.

But if it was that case of my car puttin out that smell what would it be?

[Makis]

High CO carbon monoxide is possible but CO does not smell. More likely what you can smell is higher content of hydro carbon content in the exhaust gases. This indicates that you are getting incomplete combustion in the engine, caused by misfiring. However, old engine do smell a bit more then new ones and you may be OK. If the car runs OK and has good power, (i.e. you can red-line engine while driving in second gear at least) then you should not worry. If you are still worried then you can do a sniff test at a garage to identify exactly what the content of those exhaust gases are.

[CKniht90]

High CO carbon monoxide is possible but CO does not smell. More likely what you can smell is higher content of hydro carbon content in the exhaust gases. This indicates that you are getting incomplete combustion in the engine, caused by misfiring. However, old engine do smell a bit more then new ones and you may be OK. If the car runs OK and has good power, (i.e. you can red-line engine while driving in second gear at least) then you should not worry. If you are still worried then you can do a sniff test at a garage to identify exactly what the content of those exhaust gases are.

Yea my friend said maybe all my fuel isn't getting fully burned. I always use 91octane. My 944 can do 0-60 in 9 seconds if I'm shifting right. I can easily redline with no problem. So it just will make that smell becuz its old? My 944 runs gr8. It jus makes me wonder about that smell. This is my baby!

[zedsn]

Why spend the extra money on 91 octane? These stock 944's only call for 87 octane.

[Cocacolakidd]

You maybe running slightly rich in gas mixture - plus it's always better to run slightly rich than lean...The only thing to suffer is the gas mileage, and the fellow behind you when he notices your exhaust smells different than his.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by zedsn

Why spend the extra money on 91 octane? These stock 944's only call for 87 octane.

I can't speak for all 944s but my 1988 n/a calls for 91 octane. I once used 89 and my car pinged noticably. High compression engines generally require higher octane because it is slower burning.

[CKniht90]

Yes. Mine also calls for 91 octane. 944 Celebration Edition 1988 N/A. So idk what to say... LOL