Exhaust smell in cabin Escalade 2021

[maddocmatt]

I was referring to a c02 trigger from another owner that also smelled exhaust, when they brought it to the attention of the delaer they were on it fast.
I also find it hard to believe a delaer can't get you in for appointment is this like a single bay dealer or something, my dealer has at least 15 bays and they can knock out stuff left and right

Ahhh gotcha. You can’t even get somebody on the phone.

 

[Doubeleive]

Ahhh gotcha. You can’t even get somebody on the phone.

I would be reaching out to GM customer service and stretch the truth a bit by adding it's giving me headache every time I drive or something of that nature, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.....

 

[maddocmatt]

I would be reaching out to GM customer service and stretch the truth a bit by adding it's giving me headache every time I drive or something of that nature, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.....

A new update. I was able to finally get an appointment scheduled with Foundation Cadillac for Jan 4. There doesn't seem to be any urgency, but I guess I am getting in.

The thing about this, I can't shake that this is not an exhaust leak (I would imagine that would be highly unlikely on new car) but more like something to do with the service I had where they change the diff fluid and did the transfer case service. And that is exactly when the smell started. I keep wondering if they over filled the transfer case or something and its dripping fluid down on a hot exhaust.

Still would love any thoughts if somebody had any to try to save me a grief filled experience with the dealer.

Oh no loaners either . Hopefully they can fix it while I wait.

 

[Doubeleive]

A new update. I was able to finally get an appointment scheduled with Foundation Cadillac for Jan 4. There doesn't seem to be any urgency, but I guess I am getting in.

The thing about this, I can't shake that this is not an exhaust leak (I would imagine that would be highly unlikely on new car) but more like something to do with the service I had where they change the diff fluid and did the transfer case service. And that is exactly when the smell started. I keep wondering if they over filled the transfer case or something and its dripping fluid down on a hot exhaust.

Still would love any thoughts if somebody had any to try to save me a grief filled experience with the dealer.

Oh no loaners either . Hopefully they can fix it while I wait.

I have only had smells when having new cats welded in it will stink for a few days but then goes away, any other smells would be from leaks from oil but those I would not smell inside the vehicle only from the outside when entering/exiting with the door open

 

[avalonandl]

There are portable CO2 alarms that you can stick on one of the b pillars

 

[maddocmatt]

There are portable CO2 alarms that you can stick on one of the b pillars

I actually think I have a standard carbon monoxide detector in my house that I could run out to the truck on an extension and see what happens. I’m still hoping for we filled the transfer case with too much gear oil and that smell is it dripping onto the hot exhaust

 

[BlaineBug]

See if you can find a shop with a smoke tool for evap systems, or buy a halloween smoke machine and tightly seal its flow into the exhaust output. If you have a leak you'll find it for certain.

 

[maddocmatt]

See if you can find a shop with a smoke tool for evap systems, or buy a halloween smoke machine and tightly seal its flow into the exhaust output. If you have a leak you'll find it for certain.

I actually have a Halloween smoke machine with a hose! That’s a great idea. Since it’s twin pipe. I would need to plug the one side I think

 

[BlaineBug]

I actually have a Halloween smoke machine with a hose! That’s a great idea. Since it’s twin pipe. I would need to plug the one side I think

Look for some rubber plugs or caps and hose clamps at your hardware store, and a hose that will fit the outlet of the smoke machine that you can plumb into your tail pipe. Then use some rags and stuff around to seal the exhaust output. Easy peesy.

 

[tungsten]

Isnt the fill line the plug?.You cant overfill a transfer case is my understanding unless it was filled out of the truck?

 

[BlaineBug]

Isnt the fill line the plug?.You cant overfill a transfer case is my understanding unless it was filled out of the truck?

Yes, that's correct. You can overfill it if you pump in a lot and then are quick to shove the plug in but that seems unlikely. I doubt his exhaust smell is oil burning on the exhaust.

 

[maddocmatt]

Yes, that's correct. You can overfill it if you pump in a lot and then are quick to shove the plug in but that seems unlikely. I doubt his exhaust smell is oil burning on the exhaust.

Bummer I was hoping for an away fix. Knowing these guess they will have my truck for two weeks

 

[BlaineBug]

Bummer I was hoping for an away fix. Knowing these guess they will have my truck for two weeks

That's kind of why I replaced my wheel bearings in the front and axle seals in the rear myself. For one I am certain the powertrain warranty does NOT replace anything in pairs and only replaces affected parts, and two I can spend half a day doing this myself and be ready to go versus waiting who knows how long at the dealership.

 

[maddocmatt]

That's kind of why I replaced my wheel bearings in the front and axle seals in the rear myself. For one I am certain the powertrain warranty does NOT replace anything in pairs and only replaces affected parts, and two I can spend half a day doing this myself and be ready to go versus waiting who knows how long at the dealership.

It’s probably not something I should try myself? I’ve done some auto work but this is probably beyond me.

 

[BlaineBug]

It’s probably not something I should try myself? I’ve done some auto work but this is probably beyond me.

It depends on your capability. At least try the smoke machine. That can't possibly hurt anything. And crawl around beneath and look for smoke which indicates a leak.

 

[maddocmatt]

Well I always like to close the loop on problems. The tech smoke tested the exhaust system and found no leaks. They said that the awful smell was a bad cabin air filter. I was a little surprised. They replaced the filter and put bacterium into the system and it does indeed smell a lot better. The air filter had 14k miles on it and we do do a lot: camping. offroad, 4k mile road trip from CO to WY to MO and back, pulling a side by side, lots of mountain driving. That said I was / am a little skeptical but if anybody has some insight I would appreciate it.

 

[DuraYuk]

Well I always like to close the loop on problems. The tech smoke tested the exhaust system and found no leaks. They said that the awful smell was a bad cabin air filter. I was a little surprised. They replaced the filter and put bacterium into the system and it does indeed smell a lot better. The air filter had 14k miles on it and we do do a lot: camping. offroad, 4k mile road trip from CO to WY to MO and back, pulling a side by side, lots of mountain driving. That said I was / am a little skeptical but if anybody has some insight I would appreciate it.

Yes that can cause smells especially if it's contaminated. The vents on the outside by the windshield can also cause smells if it gets contaminated or crud gets in/mold/dead things.

 

[maddocmatt]

Yes that can cause smells especially if it's contaminated. The vents on the outside by the windshield can also cause smells if it gets contaminated or crud gets in/mold/dead things.

Appreciate the info. Obviously I’m stoked that it wasn’t an exhaust leak but I’ve never had a cabin filter smell that bad. And I wonder if there is a way to prevent that going forward. According to the air filter gauge it had 50% off life left.

 

[DuraYuk]

Appreciate the info. Obviously I’m stoked that it wasn’t an exhaust leak but I’ve never had a cabin filter smell that bad. And I wonder if there is a way to prevent that going forward. According to the air filter gauge it had 50% off life left.

It just depends on the outside really. If there is nasty stuff going on outside that gunk gets trapped in the filter and that smell can come inside.

 

[StephenPT]

Appreciate the info. Obviously I’m stoked that it wasn’t an exhaust leak but I’ve never had a cabin filter smell that bad. And I wonder if there is a way to prevent that going forward. According to the air filter gauge it had 50% off life left.

That "gauge" in the DIC is for the engine air filter. Cabin air filter is different and should be replaced as needed.