I recently installed PPE catted down pipes on my MKS. I have noticed a few times at night an off-putting smell on a WOT pull since they have been on. I know smells are associated with catless, but mine are catted. I don't think it is my tune being too rich. I doubt at it is a failing PTU or cat as it only started the when these were installed, the first night I thought it was a skunk as I live in a rural area so I didn't associate it with the car and I have no mechanical issues doing on. Car shifts and runs just fine. It only seems when I get on it and thus far I have only noticed it at night as I work 2nd shift. If it is a byproduct of them then so be it, but just trying to narrow it down. Thank you for any input.
Can catted down pipes general any smell?
- Thread starter MKS Tom
- Start date
I had my mechanic install them. I provided new gaskets, bolts, studs, etc as well as the provided gaskets and bolts from PPE. It's weird I don't notice it at all while normal driving or even in the day, but I also don't recall really getting on it during the day since they have been installed either. It's always at night as I get off at 1 am. Same pattern. If I drove home normal, I don't get the smell. It's not every day.
I live only 4 miles from work. When it's been noticed, it has been on a WOT on a back road shortly after leaving work. When I get home I can't smell anything outside the vehicle and it has already dissipated inside the cabin. It's just a quick awful scent from that pull, not even sure if it has been on every time I have gotten on it but it doesn't show up under a normal drive home. No CEL from these pipes and it is under the same tune revision as prior.
I am going to be switching to Brad shortly. Not looking to bash the tuner. I don't think that is the issue, but I was never told one way or the other if my regular datalogs or the idle log I sent indicated anything problematic. I don't believe it is the tune, but I do not know that kind of stuff. I don't wish to have "tuner" drama in any way.
MKS Tom said:
I can speculate who it is by your answer. I wasn't bashing your tuner at all. The tune needs to be updated with the pipes on. That is what I was getting at. I have both AJP and Unleashed tunes for my car. Both updated the tunes when I put the pipes on. Neither tune has a smell and both run really well.
shoNoff said:
It was the most professional way I could think of to answer it without ignoring the question as others would want to know that. I will say that I never contacted another tuner prior until 2 days ago or even had sent them as much as an email or DM. I think Facebook is great to meet others whom are into the platform but it also creates drama and this constant paranoia of "tuner wars" where fake accounts chirp about nonsense and people get real weird pretty fast for no apparent reason.
ZSHO said:
It is certainly possible and thankfully I have a warranty if that is the case.
I don't believe it is though as I didn't see a leak and the timing of this lined up with these being installed.
Also, the smell isn't often and seems to only be at WOT. Also my ride home is short and it's no less than 5 minutes and no more than 10 minutes after I smell it I am in my driveway. I have went on the ground after I got home and couldn't smell it. That would indicate it was a gas rather than burning oil but who knows.
Would check the flex pipe for sure. Common place for exhaust leaks esp when the exhaust system is disturbed, or with age. Otherwise we are looking at the cabin exhaust flaps behind the rear bumper, and interaction with recirc mode on the climate control (if windows are closed).
My guess is it is likely a normal smell that some people get or a leak that I cannot detect at idle. I checked for leaks today from the PTU and don't see any. I highly doubt a cat is going bad at the same time. I do not believe it is the tune being too rich with me running the same tune switching plug gap (.030 to .026) and adding the pipes, but I am switching tuners regardless so that would answer that part. I lean towards I am one of the people who is getting it for whatever reason as some do and some don't. Next time I have it in the shop I will have everything checked for leaks in the exhaust, which should be soon as the dual CAI is done and I would rather pay my mechanic to install it. lol
I have a boost leak as I am set up for 17 psi on my tune and I am only getting 12-13 psi. That is likely the cause. I am going to try to source the leak soon. If I cannot fix it myself it will wait to go back to my mechanic until the dual CAI comes in as I am going to have him do that for me anyways. I am going to guess this is likely the smell, just have to source the leak with some soapy water.
I most recently installed the PPE Catted DP and can confirm that they do emitt a strong odor after performing a few pulls on the Highway!
I dont recall that on my last set! Dunno.
I'm assuming because they are new and due to the high heat exhaust gases they will need to break in and monitor for any notable changes. Z
I dont recall that on my last set! Dunno.
I'm assuming because they are new and due to the high heat exhaust gases they will need to break in and monitor for any notable changes. Z