2002 Ford Taurus exhaust

Hello -

To better assist you Diane can you tell me your exact model if it is LX, SE, SEL, SES and what is the engine size in liter.

Please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

Hello -

Thanks for the info Diane.......

Yes Ma'am...I totally understand you're more interested in the exhaust smell... Will explain more on that in a second.

The exhaust leak could be coming from many different areas..... An exhaust manifold to head leak, a hole in the exhaust pipe, muffler etc....... The connection from exhaust manifold to the exhaust system...

The best thing to do here is take it to a reputable mechanic and have them look it over really good. Not sure if you have or know one. If not ask around to find one or two and if you find two then go to both and get an estimate on what they say and have them show you or bring someone that has some auto knowledge.

Another option is to go to a couple of muffler shops and have them check it out... Again, estimates and have them show you.

This way you can compare what folks are saying and if you call ahead and ask, most of the time estimates are free!

Not being able to look at the car makes it hard to say what it is.....

Are you sure it is an exhaust smell and not a fuel smell?

Can you smell it when driving or when sitting say at a stop light idling?

As for the codes/cap...........

We still have the customers check certain things... Even though they have or may not seem it is related because your vehicle may have thrown a different code and, there may be a more severe problem that the auto stores don't have the manuals on.

In this instance... Your vehicle has a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out on... You guessed it, the gas cap and check engine light.

So first things first.........

Do the above on the exhaust and let me know what you find.

Next - when you say your replaced your gas cap are you saying it is a brand new one each time? If so, please remove it and look at the filler next that you put it on and see if you see anything abnormal... Chips, debis, anything that may not allow it to seal really good.

Okay, last...I would still like you to go to AZ have them check the code and please tell me the exact code number that they give you....... That will help me out.......

Okay... Will be waiting to hear back from you.......

Do the exhaust thing first though....... That is most important....... Don't want you getting sick if there is a leak and fumes are getting in the car.......