Ok I have a wrx 03 sedan, the only mods I did was install a helix catless uppipe and catless downpipe and exhaust (all helix) I did this around october and ever since I installed it I can smell fumes when the windows are opened even when they are cracked, when the windows are up there is no fumes, could this be a sign the bolts on the up and down pipe need tightened? any help would be greatly appreciated, I have only put about 2000 miles on it since it has been installed, I am gonna check the bolts when the weather breaks for good. thanks

 

Its because you're catless, 100% normal.

 

Matt's right. It's because you are catless. You're lucky, I smell my exhaust with the windows up. That's the real sign that you have a leak. Mine's leaking from the downpipe to catback joint.

 

i like the smells of a catless exhaust

 

it does not bother me, but the other night my wife was asking me to stop every ile cause she was gonna vomit cause the smell, or was it the 15 rum and cokes she had that night and the wine, and the beer, I on the other hand could not smell it though, but I was not drinking either lol, oh well as long as I cant smell it wirth the windows up I dont care, cause the kids would be with me.

 

I also smelled fumes with a leak in the up-pipe. Since I changed the gaskets out with new Gruppe-s gaskets...all is fine!

 

if i am doing 60 down the highway with the driver side window or passenger side (either or or both) I can smell the fumes, to me if the fumes are coming fromt he exhaust then I should be leaving those fumes far behind when driving, maybe I will check the uppipe and downpipe gaskets in a few weeks whent he weather is all fine, thanks

 

i dont think that's normal, but i'd imagine if you had a leak, it would be making some sort of noise to go along with the leak