So I decided to drive to work.

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 01/15/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: My head hurts

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Yesterday I had the conundrum of “Should I drive to work without an exhaust pipe?” I decided “eh fuck it, I’ll go to work”.

It’s 60 miles one-way. Halfway in, the cabin filled with the smell of exhaust gas. Few minutes later, I started feeling lightheaded and incredibly dizzy. It’s taking enough just to write this. The windows were already open and the heater was going full speed, so idk what the heck happened. I’m downing cup after cup of water right now.

I think I’m going to bail out of work early today so I can get this fixed.

I thought the cat filters out carbon monoxide to safe levels?

Seat Safety Switch > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 10:57

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Driving with no midpipe is fine as long as you don’t slow down.

I was fine for a few weeks of it when I was really broke, although one day I got caught in a stop and go traffic jam and ended up breathing catless exhaust for a good hour.

Patrick Nichols > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 10:57

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Even if it is filtering out CO, it is still emitting CO2. While not as toxic, it does have the downside of not being O2. Glad your safe, I wouldn’t drive that car more than a mile if you can help it.

Lossy > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 11:00

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So... That sucks. Maybe having the windows open sucked it in more? That was the case on my old bronco, open the rear glass and you would die, even with the fronts open.

kanadanmajava1 > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 11:01

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You can die from excessive amount of CO (actually not very much is needed) but you can also die from the clean exhaust gasses as CO2 is also harmful in large quantities. CO is still a bit more dangerous because it tends to stay in the lungs longer.

But the cold catalyst isn’t very effective so the first minutes produce a lot of “raw exhaust gasses”.

Mercedes Streeter > Lossy 01/15/2016 at 11:18

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In my case, the engine is in the rear, with the exhaust currently dumping out into the engine bay. The engine bay lid isn’t the most sealed thing in the world. Maybe opening the windows circulated it?

Master Cylinder > Lossy 01/15/2016 at 11:20

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Yeah, my 944 has a bit of a gas problem too. With the windows up it’s fine, but if they’re down I get some exhaust smells wafting into the cabin.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 11:27

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Eek. Id get that one fixed asap

Frenchlicker > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 13:47

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I've had that nice little close call with CO poisoning, not fun. Makes you want to fix that exhaust immediate.

WiscoProud > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 14:24

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The cat only burns up the remaining fuel in your exhaust so that the emissions are cleaner, it does not filter anything. You had yourself a nice dose of CO. Having the windows open was the right call. It would have still gotten in, but wouldn't have been able to leave.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 14:26

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Jeez! That sounds incredibly dangerous. I’m not sure how so much exhaust made it into the car. Hope you are feeling better this afternoon.

And no, that cat doesn’t do that. It just reacts unburned fuel.

Cajun Ginger > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2016 at 14:38

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Oh gd yes! I just realized your engine and open exhaust are basically in the back seat of your car.