Club 80-90 Forums

I've just had a 1200 mile trip in my T25 (2.00 air cooled, 1983).  Drove superbly and didn't miss a beat and no oil leaks/loss.  Engine rebuilt last year and compression was bang on 160 on all four cylinders.  Once back home my voice was quite hoarse and I realised it had been like it during the trip.  At night I could smell fumes from engine bay so sealed around the hatch with duct tape, this got rid of those fumes but still getting hoarse.  I suspect fumes are getting into the cab via the heating system, even with the flaps closed there was a good airflow from the blower/alternator fan.  Taking it to mechanic later in the week for a good look at joints etc underneath.  Is there anything else folks can suggest I should be looking at?  3 days after getting back voice is still not right and I'm pretty certain is caused by 2 weeks of inhaling carbon monoxide, thankfully I drive with a window open.  Looking back, there have been other times when my voice hasn't been right and I suspect now that was related to driving the van.  I'll replace heat exchangers if needed but is there anyway of testing them at all?  I've been reading other related posts in here but thought I'd share my experience as well.  Many thanks

Get yourself a carbon monoxide detector for starters.

Thanks, already ordered a digital one 

If the pushrod tube seals are leaking then oil can seep into the heat exchangers and burn off into the cab.

Thanks, going to check for oil leaks when with the mechanic and it's up in the air but I reckon I've found the problem.  It's missing the rubber bellows between blower fan on the alternator and the air intake on the bodywork.  Can only find one UK company selling them and 2-3 weeks wait time.  It could be a combination of problems though. 

I doubt the missing bellows would cause your issue. The heater fan will be 'stealing' the cool air drawn in by the engine cooling fan, but before its been through the hot/smelly side. 
A light exhaust or oil leak inside the heat exchanger casing might cause your problem, but a heavier leak would be obviously smelly.
I don't think carbon mon-oxide would be an issue unless the van was running very rich, and not at night when I assume you are parked up?
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Rosie n' Jim wrote: ↑22 Jul 2024, 19:31 I doubt the missing bellows would cause your issue. The heater fan will be 'stealing' the cool air drawn in by the engine cooling fan, but before its been through the hot/smelly side. 
A light exhaust or oil leak inside the heat exchanger casing might cause your problem, but a heavier leak would be obviously smelly.
I don't think carbon mon-oxide would be an issue unless the van was running very rich, and not at night when I assume you are parked up?
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Thanks for your thoughts, I've ordered the bellows....didn't even know they existed until I read about them on another post.  Given the proximity of the intake to the exhaust I think it will draw some exhaust fumes in especially when idling so I'm not taking chances.  I can only find one UK supplier selling the bellows.  I was looking through paperwork and the exchangers were put on in 2017 and second hand then so I'm replacing with new.  Emissions were checked a couple of months ago and were very low but going to have the mixture checked again.  I reckon it's a combo of missing bellows and failing internals on the exchangers but going to check for oil leaks/lose connections once it's up in the air.  Once sorted and I'm up a running again I'll soon find out if it's running properly.  Thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time. 

multisi wrote: ↑22 Jul 2024, 15:14 If the pushrod tube seals are leaking then oil can seep into the heat exchangers and burn off into the cab.

Thanks for your comment, will look at them when it's up in the air. 

Is it this?

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Yes that's the bit ....and I doubt mine is the only T25 with it missing 

Did you want that bit?
I've chucked it back under the shed now but it's there if you need it.

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ajsimmo wrote: ↑04 Aug 2024, 22:56 Did you want that bit?
I've chucked it back under the shed now but it's there if you need it.

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Hi, sorry, missed your message but I've just sent a pm.  Thanks