Questions and Answers

Stinky Ford Crown Victoria Q. I have a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. (Police Interceptor package). When we run the A/C on "Max", we can run it about 15 minutes before we get a strong gas smell in the car. If we keep it running on "Max" nearly everyone in the car becomes sick. If we run it on "Normal" A/C we don't notice any smell at all. I know that "Max" air is recirculating the air in the car, but where could the smell be coming from.

We rarely use the heater, so I can't give you any insight in regards to running the heater on the recirculating mode. But I can tell you that the problem has gotten worse of the last couple of years.

Thank you,
Dale

A. Do you mean gasoline gas smell or exhaust gas smell?

If it is gasoline smell, then you quite probably have a leaking fuel line. I would get that fixed A.S.A.P. A high pressure fuel leak is extremely dangerous.

If it is an exhaust smell, then there is a leak in the exhaust system somewhere. Maybe a cracked exhaust manifold or a rotted muffler.