fumes and dimming headlights

[BC Sunshine]

Took my lovely for a drive today and noticed two things:

FUMES: even with my window rolled down and moving, the smell is quite nauseating.
Any thoughts on how to manage this? I will not be making any long trips if this doesn't improve.

Drove home in the dark and noticed inconsistent brightness in the headlights. They would dim considerably with the clutch in, and then get brighter with more acceleration.

 

[commerchris]

Is your engine lid sealing? Check the rubber trim. Are the catches done up? Could be the exhaust gasket approx 2"ring they go all the time?

 

[commerchris]

Check your fan belt adjustment,otherwise alternater.

 

[Panky]

Chris has covered just about all of it but another simple thing to check is to make sure the exhaust tail pipe is poking out from under the van. If it stops before the fumes can circulate underneath and find their way in to the cab.

 

[BC Sunshine]

Haven't crawled underneath yet, but confirmed the tailpipe extends beyond the frame. The fan belt seems very new, and I haven't noticed that shriek normally associated with slipping belts. It seems quite thick, and gives way about 2 cm when pressed. I couldn't wiggle it around any.

The engine lid was fastened, and there is a rubber seal but I'm not certain how robust it should be. It doesn't rattle any when driving.

Alternator - there is one!!
Service records show it was removed and serviced in March 2016.
There is a mention from May 2012 of a drivers side exhaust leak and smoke out of the rear, " ? From transmission seal leaking into the exhaust. "
There is black residue on the body, which was not there before yesterdays drive.

Where can I find the exhaust gasket?

Appreciate all the help - am actively searching for a qualified mechanic.

 

[Panky]

The belt sounds fine so next thing is to check the alternator output - but as an experiment try disconnecting the house battery just to make sure you're not getting a current drain somehow and see if that helps with you main battery.
The soot around the tailpipe could indicate the engine is running a bit rich, do you need to use the choke for a long time or does the engine fire up without using it?

 

[BC Sunshine]

I only use the choke to start and get moving. I did try once not using it but it wouldn't start - more likely due to low battery in retrospect. It doesn't idle well , any time I've started, unless I get moving asap, it will stall, with choke open.

appreciate the input!

 

[Panky]

It does sound like it's running a little rich. If you can take one of the spark plugs out you can tell, if it's black and sooty then it's rich - it should be a nice biscuit colour if the mixture is set correctly. But only check it after a run when the choke has been off for a good while.
It's very simple to alter the mixture, just a little adjustment screw on the side of the carb, turn it in clockwise to weaken the mixture by a quarter of a turn at a time until you get it right.
Here's a pic of the mixture screw on the Zenith carb that is normally fitted to a Commer with the mixture screw arrowed.

 

[BC Sunshine]

Update.
Managed to get Evangeline to her service appointment this morning; it was tough go last night though; not too interested in starting, then kept stalling and eventually had to roll back to the curb and sat there overnight in shame.

Managed a solid 90km/hr on the highway, but things seemed a bit wobbly and terrifying any faster.
And loud.

Gas gauge said pretty much empty, but the tank would barely take 30 litres at the pump; can this be right or is it more likely the gauge is off?

Fumes are still horrible, and someone mentioned seals for the engine hatch; there's none around the bottom, just the lid. Could whomever shared a link on another thread about replacements post here?

I hope to hear Tuesday what the verdict is!

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[Panky]

The tank only holds just over 40 litres and those last few can be awkward to get in, so you were probably a bit below 1/4 tank when you filled up. Good luck and lets hope they get to the bottom of all your niggles.