Exhaust fumes under bonnet

[AndyHolmes]

I have recently noticed a smell of exhaust fumes under the bonnet of my 1998 A4 1.8 T Sport. It smells strongest on the opposite side of the engine from the exhaust manifold, which made me rule out a leak from the exhaust system itself. Any ideas, recirculation pipe leaking or something?

 

[dummi]

put it on some ramps and check with the engine running.

 

[AndyHolmes]

I've tried that, but could find nothing obvious. Wondered if there was a pipe or something that I could specifically check, thanks.

 

[tracer]

the downpipe connects to the manifold on the drivers side of the engine, underneath the maf sensor on my '96 1.8se, this where you're looking?

 

[dummi]

are you sure its exhaust fumes? maybe something else burning, belts, oil.. have a thorough check..

 

[AndyHolmes]

It's more prominent on the opposite side Tracer, ie. passenger side. I can't see any leaks, oil, etc that could be burning on the block. It smells like exhaust, maybe it is leaking at downpipe where it goes down behind the engine and filtering across to where the smell seems strongest. I'll do more checks in that area, thanks guys.