• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Horrible Exhaust Smell

  • Thread starter Thread starter shlby123
  • Start date Start date Apr 1, 2006
S

shlby123

Founding Member
Apr 19, 2002
579
0
0
Dallas
Apr 1, 2006
#1
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #1
Hey fellas. I've had my mustang for roughly a month now (89 LX 5.0) and the gas fumes that this car puts out are starting to make me nauseous when I drive. I gotta get this taken care of before I throw up in the car one of these days. I have to use 93 octane for the car to run smooth. But what are the many different possibilities that could be the culprit across the board?
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Apr 1, 2006
#2
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #2
Go under the hood and make sure the charcoal canister is hooked up and all the connections are good.

It is located along the inside front frame rail on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It has a couple of hoses running to it and a plug.

If it is gas smell coming from your exhaust, then check to see if you do not have any leaks.
 
S

shlby123

Founding Member
Apr 19, 2002
579
0
0
Dallas
Apr 1, 2006
#3
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #3
will the charcoal canister be pretty apparent? Never noticed it from looking under the hood.
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Apr 1, 2006
#4
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #4
Pull the codes on the car to see if it wants to tell you to check something. Charcoal canister is black box located on the passenger side by the front of the engine. It's litterally a box with rubber lines going into it...very very close proximity to the smog pump located at the bottom passenger side front of the motor.
 
S

shlby123

Founding Member
Apr 19, 2002
579
0
0
Dallas
Apr 1, 2006
#5
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #5
can running a car without cats cause that nasty smell? I dont even know if have them. but then again, i dont know **** about exhaust systems in general.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Apr 1, 2006
#6
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #6
Charcoal canister looks like this.


Catalytic converters will look something like this.


Not running them could cause somewhat of a gas smell. Yes.
 
S

shlby123

Founding Member
Apr 19, 2002
579
0
0
Dallas
Apr 1, 2006
#7
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #7
badass! Thanks fellas, Im gonna go check for both and their condition as soon as I take my break!!
 

just4bob50

Active Member
Apr 2, 2005
504
5
28
Pa.
Apr 1, 2006
#8
  • Apr 1, 2006
  • #8
the rubber tube on the charcoal canister, where does that run to exactly. I have all my emissions on and working, and the car is in a good state of tune with no codes up on my code scanner. Every once and a while i get a bad exhaust smell, and I saw this post and checked the canister. The rubber hose must have been knocked off from some where but I can tell where.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Electrical Foxbody wiring harness 2.3 to v8 swap
  • Foxbodyjake
  • Mar 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
706
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 13, 2026
Foxbodyjake
F
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
560
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
S
Fuel ‘88 GT Runs Rich Cold — Fixes Itself When I Unplug Sensors (ECT, MAF, O2, etc.)
  • Sufarry
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
842
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 9, 2025
Mustang5L5
S
Engine Stalls when downshifting/coasting
  • Scott_S
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
709
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 6, 2025
Mustang5L5
Progress Thread 93 LX father son project
  • ZAM93LX
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 3, 2025
Scrapla347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?