Exhaust fumes on 2017 Challenger 550

[Jon]

Had this UTV 1 week now, previous owner had put windshield and back window on, has half doors but no windows.  Is there a simple fix for exhaust fumes in cab, tailpipe extension etc?    Thx so much.   Jon

[Travis]

Welcome!

Definitely don't need to be breathing  that stuff in!

  I've searched around on google and couldn't  find anyone else with that problem.

 Does the tail pipe go the very back of the machine and exit at the rear?

 I would be inclined to check for any exhaust leaks near the manifold (assuming a 2 cylinder engine?) or any cracks in the exhaust pipe.

[Jon]

Here is a pic of rubber elbow not attached to exhaust.  I don’t see anywhere that it’s supposed to attach, warm air but not exhaust smell is expelled when running.  Don’t see obvious leak in exhaust or manifold but does have overwhelming exhaust smell.   Thanks Travis for responding.   Jon

[Travis]

With the engine running, i would check to see if there is warm air  blowing out of that rubber tube.

[kenfain]

Obviously you'll want to make certain that it's not anything leaking. It's possible that the add ons are bottling up the fumes. Keeping it contained. 

If that's the case, then before I added length to the exhaust. I'd try to seal the cab. Mine has a thick, insulated poly plate attached to the undercarriage, beneath the seat. And there's insulation under the seat, against the motor side of the seat box. 

This is all pre fab insulation, for a cab that I don't have. I needed it for the excessive noise that my diesel engine makes. It's made to keep out cold, but I can't imagine any fumes coming through it. It wouldn't be hard to duplicate using readily available materials. 

Adding length to the exhaust might possibly increase back pressure, or other unintended negative effects. I'd try that as a last resort. 

[Verno]

Double check exhaust between head and muffler.  I had a 2018 cadet 750 that had a crack that caused the same issue.

[Jon]

I did tighten exhaust manifold bolts but didn’t remove to see if needs new gasket.  Think I will remove today and replace gasket.  I assume they are readily available at auto parts stores.  I visited a Cub Dealership yesterday hoping to look at other challengers to see if they had same problem.  But the dealership only had cub mowers.  I bought mine from private party.  Appreciate the replies.   

[kenfain]

A smoke test would probably be the best, and quickest way to find the leak. If that is the actual problem.

You can Google it if you're not familiar with it. That would be much easier than a typed explanation.

There's some pretty cheap, and easy homemade smoke tester instructional videos available also. They don't require a lot of money to build. But you would need basic skills, and a few tools. 

[Jon]

Nope not familiar with smoke test but will research.  Appreciate it.  Jon.  Does the exhaust manifold have a donut asbestos type gasket that would be easy to replace?   

[Travis]

a lot of newer exhausts gaskets i've seen on UTV's and small engines are metal, close to a head gasket type material.

[Jon]

Can you get them at auto parts store?

[Travis]

Probably not for a UTV, they would have to come from Cub Cadet dealer

[jonny L]

Same issue with mine. Any UTV with an enclosed, or partially enclosed cab traps the fumes as well as the noise. I took off my windshield, and side windows, kept the rear window on.

[Jon]

And did that seem to help with exhaust smell and/or noise?   I sure appreciate the info.  Jon

[jonny L]

Yes, only because it does not get trapped in the cab.

 

[Jon]

And did that seem to help with exhaust smell and/or noise?   I sure appreciate the info.  Jon

 

[Jon]

So I ordered a new exhaust pipe metal gasket from the helpful link/parts schematic on this forum.   We’ll see if this helps with exhaust smell.   I’ll also try to insulate and sound dampen under seat between motor and cab.  

[jonny L]

I am ordering two  NOICO 80 mil Sound dampening mats. They are 10 sq' each and cost around $20 a piece. I have read that it is a very noisy machine compared to others. Earmuffs I guess. lol. I don't know if an exhaust extension would work for the fumes.

 

   

[Jon]

Let me know how it does.   After your post I researched youtube and went to 3 bigbox hardwares to get self sticking aluminum insulation roll but nobody had.   I do have an exhaust pipe gasket ordered to see if that cuts down exhaust smell.   Jon

[jonny L]

I have not experienced the exhaust issue on my 2019 CC Challenger 750. I took a good look at it yesterday and noticed that the exhaust manifold is corrugated/ looks like an accordion. I don't know if this is an upgrade to that issue or not. It seems as if the corrugated manifold would be somewhat forgiving and take the shock so it would not crack as others have experienced in older models.

[jonny L]

Sorry, the exhaust issue was for another person. Noico product 80 mil noise damper is what I am going with. 10 sq' per roll at $20. Dynamat is too expensive.

[Jon]

So I did find multiple leaks on my exhaust pipe, and muffler.  None were easy to see until pipe was removed.   I’ve epoxied them with high temp stuff and will try today to see if it’s taken care of the problem totally.  Parts seem hard to get.  I’d ordered exhaust manifold gasket from supplier on this forum, but it’s delayed delivery at least a week from projected delivery date.   Thanks for the replies.  Jon

[jonny L]

Good luck

[jonny L]

Jon, need a little assistance. I took out the UTV for the first time yesterday. It did not come with a manual, and will try to locate one today. What is the sequence for putting it from 2wd to 4wd? 

[Jon]

Put in neutral before shifting to 4wd.  

[jonny L]

28 minutes ago, Jon said:

Put in neutral before shifting to 4wd.  

Thanks, that is what I figured but the first time I did it, it took about five seconds to kick in. It seemed OK after that.

[Jon]

Put in neutral before shifting to 4wd.  
 

johnny L did you get the Noico material installed?   I got mine delivered this week and will try to install tomorrow.  My exhaust gasket was lost in shipping so I reordered from Cub.  Jon

[jonny L]

1 hour ago, Jon said:

Put in neutral before shifting to 4wd.  
 

johnny L did you get the Noico material installed?   I got mine delivered this week and will try to install tomorrow.  My exhaust gasket was lost in shipping so I reordered from Cub.  Jon

Thanks. My research found that Noico was the best deal for the $ but I have not ordered it yet. I have another question; On the back wall of the cab, under the bed, is a rubber/plastic hose maybe 2-3" that is not capped. Is this some type of exhaust?

[Jon]

Yea mine has the same open rubber elbow.  I had posted a picture in one of my first posts asking if that my be my source of fumes.  No one seemed worried about it and asked if warm air is coming out which it is.   So I assume it’s normal.   Jon

[jonny L]

I figured that it was some sort of exhaust or intake. Thought it maybe connected to the exhaust fume issue.