fumes in van

[fazzer]

Everytime we go out in van we get a strong smell of petrol and exhaust fumes,I've replaced the rubber seal around hatch but it's still the same.There's no fuel leaks and exhaust is good.is this common

[toomanytoys]

what engine???

Aircooled would mean your heat exchangers are toast and leaking and that's dangerous..

But.. Also if its an Aircooled and you are starting it in a garage or in an area of low airflow (ie back end is tucked up in a corner...) and sitting there idleing, then the fresh air intake will suck the fumes from around the back of the van and blow them inside...

[fazzer]

Sorry should of said,it's a watercooled.

[itchyfeet]

Tailgate seal?
if its exhaust fumes must be coming in the rear, any hole will pull fumes in as you drive
rusty holes in wheelarches?

stick your engine type and year and van type in your signature?

[fazzer]

It's a kamper,1984,hightop,with a 1900 watercooled,van is rot free no holes anywhere.?

[itchyfeet]

Seal around hightop?

get underneath, perhaps a hole has been cut for a pipe at the back and the seal has come away

[fazzer]

Ok thanks sounds like a possibility,I have noticed that the tailgate doesn't shut flush with the bodywork.

[bikerbriggsy]

Did anyone get to the bottom of this ?!?

I get it too in my 1987 high-top water cooled 2.1 - and looking under the rear right arch last week I noticed a hole, when I look up I see the plastic vent section in the rear corner. I've also noticed a big hole in the floor behind the fridge unit - obviously to provide the fridge with some breathing space...

(1) Anyone sitting on the rear rocknroll 3/4 reports smells of fumes whenever the drivers/passengers windows are down - vacuum effect ?!? which goes when we shut them!
... Could this be caused by the holey rear wheel arch somehow???

(2) They also report a huge draft coming up from between the edge of the 3/4 bed and cabinets
... This MUST BE the fridge cooling vent! Do you reckon placing a V shaped vent cover over the hole (with opening facing the rear to stop wind funelling in whilst driving) in the floor will reduce this draft ?!?

Cheers
Rich.

[fazzer]

hi rich I adjusted the rear door so it closed closer to the body,and found a 50mm hole drilled above the inner rear wheel arch I welded that up and all seems good.ive found that any holes in rear of van will let fumes in.hope this helps buddy.

[Aidan]

engine hatch seal must be present and complete and both latches too to avoid ingress from engine bay

[bikerbriggsy]

Thanks guys - found a rather long! thin hole in my n/s rear wheel arch - filled it in with fiberglass padding for now until I have time to get it welded when it's not in so much use this summer!

Tailgate flush + engine cover seals look to be OK.

Also found another couple of holes just behind the rear wheel arches (flat recess either side of engine bay) ... getting crusty, its time for some TLC !

Cheers
Rich.