<VV> CO Question

[J R Read_HML]

Your exhaust fumes are being sucked back into the air intake - and thus into 
the heater system.  Point your exhaust out the side(s?) instead of out the 
back - like STOCK.
Later, JR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill H." <gojoe283 at yahoo.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 8:10 PM
Subject: <VV> CO Question


>                                        B"H
>
> Hi everyone.  I'm wondering if any folks have done some research on CO 
> levels inside their cars during the winter season when the heater is on 
> and the windows are up.
>
> I have a 69 Monza, 59K miles, rust-free car, 110 motor with PG, single 
> exhaust, and in excellent condition, mechanically and appearance-wise. 
> Recently, I removed the lower shrouds, cleaned them and sealed them with 
> Permatex Ultra Copper.  I paid special attention to the gap where the 
> exhaust pipes pass through the shrouds.
>
> The car has a catalytic converter fitted where the tailpipe goes, and the 
> pipe sticks out the rear of the car, instead of the stock location (under 
> the rear fender passenger side).  Originally it got rid of the nasty 
> exhaust smell that bothered my family (it's the old non-catalyst exhaust 
> smell that was normal before 1975, perfect normal, but annoying, 
> considering that the car lives in the garage that's built under the 
> house).
>
> As a result of the sealing, my car warms up faster and the heater seems to 
> push more air.
>
> Here's the issue:  I have a battery-powered digital CO dectector which 
> sits on the floor between the front seats.
>
> When I start the engine, the CO reads 0 ppm.  It's a typical New York 
> winter morning, windows closed, temp around 30 degrees F.  I let her warm 
> up a bit (she's in a heated garage overnight) then it's off to work. 
> After a minute or two, CO levels read around 40-50 ppm, and can go up to 
> around 70.  So, I roll down my window, let the interior air out, and after 
> a couple of minutes, we're at 0 ppm.  Window rolled up, heater goes on. 
> CO levels stay at 0 until we get downtown, where there's more idling in 
> traffic than forward movement.  At that time, the CO levels can go back up 
> to around 50-80 ppm.  If I run the heater, it seems to help to bring the 
> CO levels back down.  That is, of course, a good thing; it seems to 
> indicate that my heater is sealed properly and there are no exhaust fumes 
> getting into the cabin via the heater.
>
> However, I'm wondering where the CO is coming from.  BTW, 50 ppm or less 
> are usually considered acceptable for humans to breathe without being a 
> hazard, but of course 0 is even better.
>
> Could it be the fact that the tailpipe sticks out the rear of the car, 
> instead out the side?  Maybe I should replace the stock tailpipe?
>
> I haven't had the opportunity to check CO levels in our Honda Odyssey, but 
> I expect that car won't have any CO even with the windows rolled up.
>
> Anyone have any experience in this area?
>
> Thanks and regards to my fellow Corvairers...Bill Hershkowitz  Brookly NY
>
>
>
>
>
>
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