Exhaust (?) smell after replacing PCV valve...

[nilram]

Recently, rather than going to my regular mechanic, I went to Jiffy Lube for an oil change (93 Legacy Wagon) and they found that my PCV valve needed replacing. So I had them do that, and also clean out the area it vents into, since there was a lot of carbon there. The car's performance improved dramatically -- I had been using medium test in the summers to avoid knocking and now knocking isn't an issue (which makes me wonder why my regular mechanic hadn't caught this...).

 

But now the car STINKS -- not really rotten egg, my first thought was burning rubber but I don't see anything out of place or smoking under the hood. I think its from the exhaust. Any ideas? (And, should I dump my regular mechanic? The knocknig had been going on for a while.)

[kevinsUBARU]

could be a catalytic converter on the way out if you think you may be smelling rotten eggs

[1 Lucky Texan]

Perhaps they got some oil on the exhaust? Do you see any puffs of smoke coming from under the car?

 

Carl

1 Lucky Texan

[Setright]

Well, when I start my car cold the exhaust has a slighty sweet smell, but nothing that offends. On the contrary, it smells like a healthy engine. My cat was replaced a year ago.

 

Only once it's hot does it start to develop a slighty less pleasant smell. Nothing like the dreaded "Cat-stink", ie. rotten egg, more the smell of a really old bread toaster burning out

 

If your PCV valve is new, it might be sucking harder and perhaps there is more gunk in the rest of the PCV pipes and hoses that needs to be burned off. Run it for a few miles more and see if the smell subsides. Maybe keep and eye in the rear view mirror to check for smoke.

[nilram]

Thanks, folks. No smoke, and its been about a week now. I'll probably call the dealer in a week or two, if its still stinking, and see what they think.