What can it be. I start noticing a kind of bad fume from my header area. It smells like those old 80's cars with the bad exhaust smell that pollutes the air. It doesn'r smell horrible but after a drive and I open my hood I start smelling it. My question is....what can be the problem.......do I need a new o2 sensor or do I have a bad seal. I don't know.

 

Where in the "header area" is this smell coming from?

Do you have a blatant exhaust leak somewhere?

Still have a CAT?

 

Sounds like a leak in the exhaust manifold causing the engine to run rich.

 

Header area.....just right between the valve cover and the header shield. I haven't notice my engine running rich by the way. yes, I still have a cat.

 

Cracked manifold, rotted pipe, or leaky gasket.

Doesn't sound like you really know what you're looking at, so you should probably take it to a professional.

 

check the gasket on your header.