1992 Toyota Camry Exhaust in cooling system

1992 TOYOTA CAMRY
51,300 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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92 CAMRY
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We've had this car for three months and the whole time have been trying to solve an exhaust smell in the cabin of the car. Replaced valve cover gasket and grommets, resealed cam end plugs serviced the A/C because it started blowing warm - added freon and has good for the month since this service, changed oil. This car was in a front driver side accident at one point. Don't have all of the details.

We've narrowed it down to noticing that the smell only lingers on clothing and hair and inside cabin when using the A/C. We haven't had to use the heater yet. Could there be a leak in the system or something else? Our mechanic can't find the source and can't smell it, but it definitely stays on our clothes and in our hair even after a short drive.

Thanks for any help.
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM
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RASMATAZ
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1992 Toyota Camry Exhaust in cooling system

When this happens you'll be experiencing overheating due to a blown headgasket cracked head or block.

The exhaust smell could be coming from the floor board or thru the gear shift housing. Leaking thru the AC/ Heater housing-The best way to solve this -is probe it with a gas analyzer when you get a Hydrocarbon reading that's where the leak is-
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:56 PM
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92 CAMRY
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Thank you for your reply. Are there no other options or possibilities? It couldn't be a leak in the air conditioning system? The only other problem we have with the car is blue smoke out of the tailpipe when starting it first thing in the morning. My mechanic said to go with a heavier oil at the next oil change, but could this have something to do with the other problem as well? Otherwise, the car runs like a dream.

Thanks!
Sep 30, 2008 at 2:31 PM
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RASMATAZ
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The only other problem we have with the car is blue smoke out of the tailpipe when starting it first thing in the morning. Sounds like the valve seals

The leak of exhaust could be somewhere underneath finding its way thur worned grommets/rusted holes-this one is gonna be hard to locate
Sep 30, 2008 at 4:21 PM
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92 CAMRY
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We're taking it into the dealer tomorrow as our mechanic can't find the source. If they don't figure it out, we're going to sell it because it's made our son's asthma progressively worse every time he drives it.
Oct 1, 2008 at 9:48 PM