I have a 1978 Z and recently got a problem with fumes. I drive the Z around and these fumes make my eyes watery and I come out smelling like fumes. Can any one help me eliminate this problem.

The original poster, who hasn't replied yet, never did confirm the type of fumes he was experiencing. If it was exhaust, which I doubt, since it's a 78, unless he has an exhaust leak somewhere under the car. The 280Z and late 260Z exhaust exits farther back because of the position of those 'hated' bumpers. But a fuel leak.....well at nearly 40 psi, besides the obvious danger, those fumes would definately, in his words

"make my eyes watery and I come out smelling like fumes".

It's the more likely scenario and he never made any mention of windows being up or down.

I have the problem with a 77 - looking at your avitar (Stephen) I believe your chromed pipe is longer, perhaps yours is modified.

It is modified but I've never had the fume problem before. I only put the tip on to keep the exhaust off of that 'beautiful' rear bumper.

I know this thread is kind of old, but I wanted to ask a question (without making yet another fumes thread). Has any body experimented with using a hatch louver to break up the airflow. I looked around the site in almost every related thread and nothing turned up. The closest thing on the subject only mentioned "high speed" aerodynamics. I was hoping that I could get some answers from the aero-experts on the site.

Thanks, Bread

The hatch louvers do help to breakup the air flow and the vacuum created in back of the car. I had a set of louvers on for a couple of years but they rattled like a marimba band. The exhaust fumes went away when I extended the tail pipe beyond the bumper. It is not 100% because I do have a small leak at a exhaust pipe joint. However now she is about 95% clean. My louvers were aluminum and they also marked the glass on the hatch. The damage to the glass was the main reason I removed them. Gary

I know what ya mean about the marks, my brother has a TSi Conquest and it used to have a hatch louver. It marked the glass up and collected alot of leaves. He ditched the thing. IMO, the louvers only look good with the right accents, like a black airdam or those side molding strips. I know the tailpipe extension works pretty well. My father drives an older celica, he also complained of exhaust fumes, so he had me weld some longer tips onto the muffler. Took care of the fumes and it looks waay better than the stock slash-cut tips. Bread

I have louvers and still get the fumes when the window is down - I am going to put an extension on the TP in the spring.

Gary - My louvers can play a couple of tunes at the correct speed as well - I fixed it with a small piece of weatherstripping on each of the contact points.

No marks.

I've had the louvers, the rear spoiler, an the exhaust tip the entire time I've owned the car. The lovuers and spoiler were on it when I purchased it and I put the exhaust on it the week I bought it. I've never had the fume problem and all three items probably contribute to that in some way. The only marks I get on the glass are from the 10 small rubber bumpers that contact the glass. They clean off rather easily. However, if I ever remove the mounts that slide under the moulding and are held in place with thin 3M attachement tape, I think those spots would also clean up but the rubber molding would probably be useless and have to be replaced.

Sorry,folks-but extending the pipe is a band-aid fix.Some thing else is wrong.My pipe is dead even with the bumper and i have no fume issues at ALL.Fuel or exhaust related.

It's funny how people b!tch about fume issues with there 1st. Gen Z's. I've never had such a problem and my Z is Stock (Not modified in anyway) Hell my Z is even due for a new rear gasket being the orig. 30 yr. old Gasket and still no smell. Not saying it can't happen but I just find it kinda odd. Sure would be nice if mikesolis27 would chime in and give us some more info on what fumes he's refering to? Gas, or exhaust?

As far as louvers go- No issues with mine. They are quiet. No rattle or marking the rear window up. I love the way they look and they sure save on the hatch carpet from the sun fading it plus keeps the car cooler in the summer but this is another topic so I won't go any further on the subject

Mine is a '70. It had fume problems since new. In '74, the fumes were so bad that I had the hatch vents sealed and welded over. Fume problem went away. Sold the car in 1977.

Fast forward to this year. Got the car back in January. Reinstalled the hatch vents, new rubber everywhere, IMSA spoiler and a tad longer exhaust tip. I don't know which solved the problem, but the fumes are gone.

I bought a '74 260Z a few months ago from the 2nd owner who bought it from the original owner one year prior. He told me that she had informed him that there would be gas fumes if the tank was filled. Not that I doubted the information but I got tired of stopping so often for a half tank of gas. I decided to go for a full tank and just as advertised, there is a fuel smell in the cabin.

The gaskets, taillight, hatch, etc. are original but since it's not an exhaust smell and only happens on filling the tank I'm betting those are not the issue.

240znz posted: Exhaust fumes or fuel fumes? If fuel smell, then start checking all the hoses on the fuel tank especially around the expansion tank behind the right hand hatch inner guard cover.

Guess I'll start looking where 240znz suggests.