I have an 05 civic dx. I don't know much about the mechanics of cars so bear with me.
There is an exhaust smell coming into the cabin through the air vents and it only happens when the car has been warmed up and is idling with the air on.
Several people have told me that is could be an exhaust leak in the manifold or gasket. Or an oil leak that is dripping onto the exhaust pipe and burning off. And I did notice that when I open the hood and and fan has kicked on I can smell the exhaust coming from within the engine compartment.
I've had the car checked out and supposedly the mechanic checked the entire exhaust system and found nothing wrong. But he did mention that it smells like a 'swamp'. But clearly it smells like exhaust to me. Do you think he is jerking me around?
And if its a minor repair how much would this cost roughly?
Any thoughts? Thanks for your time!

 

I'd get a second opinion. From what you're saying, it sounds like either your exhaust is blowing or you do have a slight oil leak onto the exhaust. Either of these should be fairly easy to spot.

 

Thanks for the response...I checked it out underneath and looked at the exhaust and didn't find anything. But then again I am not a trained mechanic.
What I did notice is the oil filter has a very small leak...really small...right underneath the filter is a little shelf...I think its part of the block?
anyways could this part get hot enough to burn oil as it drips from the oil filter? There is black residue on this little shelf.
Thanks!

 

yea it can get hot enough to burn oil on the block like that best thing to do is check filter tightness but dont try and be superman you can ruin the filter if you try and tighten it to much, but also get a enginedegreaser like enginebrite and clean out the engine bay (follow directions it so easy like 20 mins total) but before that clean the area around the leak just (wipe down good with a towel) never leave oil on a block just sitting it could possible catch fire like 99.9% chance it wont but still and if a shop changed your oil/filter let them know (if its a loose filter) dont get all pissy with them just be cool but they need to know they shoud replace the filter at no cost if they goofed

 

and a exhuast leak would make a alot of noise too

 

cool, thanks for the tips. never thought about the filter...