Smell of gasoline when turning on heater?

[ShinsenTuner]

Okay so as you may all know, I have a 2000 DB7, blah blah blah, 73,400 miles on it currently. It was pointed out to me today by my girlfriend that when the heater is on in my car, there is a small hint of gasoline in the air. She had also pointed out that when I revv the car to move, the exhaust smoke smells like gasoline. I think my car is running rich, because a lot of spoke also comes out. When the car is running and it is cold out, I can put my foot outside of the driver side door and feel leaking exhaust gases coming out - is there a way to fix this or should I just get the whole unit replaced?

CLIFF NOTES:
- When heater is on, smells of gasoline - what gives?
- Exhaust has smell of gasoline, has a lot of white smoke, and can feel exhaust gases when standing near driver side door - what does this tell me?

please.... I hope it's nothing serious. I have been saving my ass off for some aftermarket wheels and finally got enough. :cry:

 

[Surferman]

Sounds like you might have a blown head gasket? And white smoke can mean alot of things, but it typically indicates that coolant has found a way into the oil. This usually occurs when you have a cracked head or a leaking head gasket. But i don't know to much on this subject... sure somone else knows more.

 

[ShinsenTuner]

I thought blue smoke meant blown head gasket?

 

[kcombs]

blue is oil.

 

[G3GirL]

Black smoke = fuel
White = coolant/water
Bluish = oil

You said your gf pointed out the problem. If it's your car and you're driving it, I'm going to assume that you know it best and if something's different. Are you pulling in outside air when you turn on the heater? It could just be the exhaust fumes being pulled back into your car through the vents. Happens to me when I forget to close the outside air sometimes. Then again, I wouldn't really know. By the sound of your original post, it seems like you're just noticing the details more now that someone has mentioned it. I mean...I do that. lol

On a cold day, maybe you can feel the exhaust heat on the side because of how cold it is outside. lol I mean, I know it sounds obvious, but are you positive you didn't just notice it more because your gf said something about it?

The smoke could just be some condensation burning off, or the fact the you're starting your car when it's cold out. Heat comes out of the exhaust. I would imagine it being like when you breathe when it's cold out.

I wouldn't worry about it being a blown head gasket by what you're describing. When you start smelling a sweet, coolant smell coming through the vent, then you should be worried.

 

[Surferman]

Black smoke = fuel
White = coolant/water
Bluish = oil

^Thats what I was trying to remember lol.
yeah^^ It probably ant as serious as a blown gasket but I was just saying.

 

[RanRan15]

i had that problem when i first bought my DA, but it went away. never found out what the problem was. it didnt even have white smoke coming out.

 

[ShinsenTuner]

Now that you mention the vents open, yes they were. I think my exhaust is leaking from my catalytic converter. Is there any place that sells a good OEM replacement cat for a good price?

 

[MontanaG1]

Gas fumes

What about leaking fuel injector seals or bad evap canister?

My G1 teg smells of gas on the inside when I drive and have heater on, I do use outside air almost always to prevent inside windows from fogging up but I also have a small leak on two of my injectors, I bought the seal kit just haven't put it on yet.