I have installed an alternative trunk seal that does not need adhesive. Someone was marketing that product. I think the strong smell of exhaust may be coming into the car from the trunk. Has anyone else had such an experience from air leakage?

I have the after market trunk seal off E Bay as well.. I put a new muffler on a couple days ago in hopes of getting rid if the fumes.. Still had fumes after the new muffler !!! So,, took the advice of the forum and tried the dollar bill trick (actually 10 dollar bill ) and found that the seal was not sealing because of the gap.. I bought some insulation tape at the hardware and put that on and Bingo !! No more fumes !!! I would have never guessed that fumes would come through the trunk !!! Thanks for the tip !!

Take the alternative seal out and spring for the NOS seal.
I bought the alternate part on EBAY and had the same issue. I put the NOS seal on and the fumes went away. I did the old Dollar bill test (now $20 with inflation.)
Put the dollar bill across the seal in various spots and close the trunk. Pull on the Dollar bill and it should have resistance, no resistance=bad!

I ran foam insulation tape over the seal and the fumes stopped. It almost looks stock.

It would definitely help to know when the exhaust fume smell started... was it there before the seal change? Was it there only immediately after the seal change?

Check for leaks in the exhaust system (start the car cold and put your hand over the tail pipe... if you don't hear leaks and the engine dies, you're probably okay)

I expect you know the difference between an exhaust smell and raw fuel. But if you're not absolutely certain, check for fuel leaks. One drop of gas leaking on the exhaust manifold will be smelled, and often confused as an exhaust fume issue.

In fact, check for fuel leaks anyhow. If you haven't done so in the past day, it's time to check again :)

Always carry a fire extinguisher..

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

I have an extinguisher. Many car shows will not allow you to be in the show without one. The Exhaust headers, 2" exhaust pipe, Magnaflow mufflers and Ansa tip are all new. I think it became noticeable after replacing the trunk seal. Tonight I added foam insulation tape over the trunk seal. I use this stuff as part of my air conditioning work requires. Trunk seems to make a tighter seal. I find out when I go for my next ride. Maybe the Volvo Open House at Rockleigh,NJ this weekend.

Hello,

I have no experience with this seal and if it does not seal properly, you can get exhaust fumes in the car.

If you did not have this problem before, it makes sense that the seal may be the cause.

Have you washed the car?

If water leaks into the trunk, then the trunk seal may not be doing its job.

Before condemning the seal, is there any chance the trunk lid or the rear of the car is damaged so that the seal is not making proper contact in all areas?

What condition is your fuel filler neck grommet?
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

The grommet was replaced a few years ago and is still in tact. Water has always leaked when it rains or gets washed. I replaced the seal in hope of stopping leaks.

I'd also check for exhaust leaks elsewhere. If the pipe to manifold is leaky and the seal around the steering shaft where it goes through the bulkhead is shot, fumes (and noise) can come in there. With a standard exhaust and possibly with others, the air flow round that rear corner of the car is possibly not ideal to get the gas's away all of the time. This may be proved by the fact that that bumper corner is often badly corroded from the inside. This might be due to exhaust gas being trapped by the hollow shape of the bumper.

I am also dealing with exhaust fumes ,more so when I open a window while driving..I do have a small hole on the side of the muffler but I just assumed the wind would blow the fumes away from the car..I am getting a new muffler.. I never even thought of the trunk seal.. I have a new trunk seal and also a new gas tank filler rubber seal but I am not sure how well trunk lid seals as it may have been bent at some point.. I have the fire wall sealed up pretty good.. I thought I had a cracked exhaust manifold but after checking more closely yesterday found out that it was fine..