Carbon Monoxide in the Car, i think i'm dizzy Options

[nebreitling]

my girlfriend says she gets a headache after we drive the teener. i haven't noticed it before, but yesterday i felt a bit 'ill' after an hour drive -- even with the top off. the heater blower fan has always stayed off. (welcome to cali)

about 6 months ago i put some used late-model HE's on the car. they appeared very sound, with no apparent leaks on the inner exhaust tubes. i don't think i have an exhaust leak, but i'll be sure to double check everything. what are other sources of carbon monoxide? would a torn up heating air hose let in gas from the engine compartment? even with no blowers on?

any thoughts appreciatted. thanks, nathan

p.s. yeah, i know the late HE's suck. saving for header.

[efrenv]

It could be the two (2) air dampers underneath the car, connected to the heat exchangers, and controlling direction of heated air to the console air vents. If I understand it correctly, if the air dampers are closed, air coming from the engine compartment (fed by the engine fan) is "bypassed" or just discharged underneath the car. When you turn on the auxiliary heater fan or even if you just lift the red lever which is inside the car, the air dampers will open and direct the heated air into the console air vents. If the air dampers do not seal completely, then air from the engine compartment pumped by the engine fan will be fed to the console air vents. If the hose from the oil fill location (going to the air cleaner) is leaking, then air from "inside the engine" will go to the engine compartment space, which will be drawn in by the engine fan, which will leak through the air dampers, which will end up in your console air vents. This would be noxious and give you a headache. Hope this makes sense.