Hello Fellow Crossfire Enthusiasts,


While researching the restoration and performance enhancement of my 04 Crossfire (needed some body work and interior repairs, (e.g., driver-side door pull, replacement of fully-sagged cloth on roof interior)), I realized that I could come close to getting another one for what I would have to spend. Found an 05 SRT-6 and purchased it! . Knew I would have to do some work on it. My most pressing issue is the smell of fumes, oil burning or something like that inside the cabin while the car is running (real strong!). I think you can smell it outside when it’s running too. I’ve looked around under the hood and where I park and don’t see anything (although I may not know where to look).

Please, XFire family of Gurus and experienced -- Could you assist me in trying to figure out what I should do? I’ve read things posted – just don’t know where to start or what makes sense to do/not do. Any advice would be welcomed. From what I’ve read, I sure don’t want to take it to “The Stealer”, lol).


Also trying to figure out what to do with my 04 Crossfire. Are parts interchangeable between 04 Crossfire and 05 SRT-6 (although I don't thing I can strip-destroy my first true Crossfire love.


Thanks Much,
Rome

 

On the SRT6 oil smell - most likely leaking valve cover vent covers, a common DIY repair.
Also could be valve cover gaskets, also an easy DIY.
On the 04 - you can easily part it out here and on the facebook pages if you are willing to ship and accept paypal. ( it's about 95% common parts with the SRT6 )

 

I second the leaky valve covers. I fixed my vent cover leaks. My driver side valve cover weeps a bit on the drivers side rear corner and when I don't drive every day, enough oil leaks out to cause the smell you describe.

Les

 

Engine, transmission, drive train, suspension and seats are mostly different but some may fit if the part it attaches to are the same as the '04 if you see what I am getting at.
I think 95% is a bit much.

 

OK friends. Valve cover vents and valve cover gaskets is where I will start. Will keep all posted.
Thanks so much.

 

I always try to be optimistic

 

Please pardon my ignorance, but is the valve cover vent repair and the valve cover gasket repair the same thing? Under "Index of Crossfire Problems", I only see "Valve Cover Leak" document. I don't find anything referring to a valve cover vent. Thx!

 

lift off the plastic air filter box and zap a picture of the motor and post it here, leaking valve cover panels should be easy to spot

 

Hello, Valve cover pics are attached. Tried to get close for a better view. Let me know if another angle is necessary. Also attached air intake pic that came with car. Wanted to ask if this type OK. Thx!

 

With that last picture, I would think AT LEAST, you have an intake restriction and/or a very dirty intake filter. Looks like your sucking in the installed HAI filter. You also seem to have some leakage on picture one but there isn't a clear enough picture set to be sure (back it up some, to see if it can be determined). I would suggest a top of the motor 'cleaning' with an engine cleaner, to see if it is going to show a wet oily look after driving it some.

 

I'm no car expert, but I can say something in my gut told me there was something not right with that filter setup. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I'm going to take it off and try to figure out how to clean it. Think I should replace it totally?

 

For sure!!! That is a home made HOT air intake.
Either take it back to the OEM setup, or install a NeedsWings SCAI or DCAI.

 

Becoming a little apparent that previous owner was not forthright with me. I'm disappointed (not in the car, but the person :-( ... Going to purchase/replace cabin filter. Is there just one? During Google searches, have seen reference to cabin filter and air conditioning filter. Are there two things to replace. I gotta clean up incoming air for sure to endure driving this car. Thx.

 

Just one filter, get an activated charcoal one like :

https://www.am-autoparts.com/product...-19145981.html

 

" For sure!!! That is a home made HOT air intake. Either take it back to the OEM setup, or install a NeedsWings SCAI or DCAI."
...
...
OK, Thanks for this info. I'm going research and find the most economical option (at this point) and get it on there.

 

Mentioned were the cabin air filter and the intake air filter. Both provide benefits noted. The intake air filter is for the engine, which produces both power and efficiency. The cabin air filter provides comfort. Both are performance and comfort replacement requirements. Your intake system has been modified to include what is commonly know as a hot air intake (HAI). This means when you run your engine, it 'sucks' air from the engine compartment. This area is quite a hotbed (pun intended) for thin air intake higher than (versus) ambient air temperature outside the engine compartment. Some will argue that when driving down the road, this influence becomes moot. I know the lower the intake air temp, the more dense the air molecules, hence the more efficient the engine runs. We also know the program in the ECU adjusts engine parameters. The standard is a certain IAT , with a designated octane rating, at a certain altitude, results in rated power and efficiency. Although these references have a certain error span, your BEST results result in a clean air filter intake, for efficient operation in all cases.


The cabin air filter provides both comfort to the occupants AND efficiency. The most important part of this equation is the efficiency of the air conditioning system. When it is providing adequate 'clean' filtered air, the compressor runs less, and contributes to a more efficient comfort and engine efficiency. If you do not need air conditioning (heated or cooled) then the cabin air filter is the lessor of the two absolutely necessary replacement options. You be the judge, starving your engine (or not) and/or feeling comfortable? Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the great information. In following up, seems today is my lucky day. Found a used OEM air intake for a great price. It's on the way. Also ordered the cabin filter. In the meanwhile, I'll use what's posted on the site to figure out how to get the existing cabin filter out. Looks like removing the air intake will be pretty easy. And so my journey begins...

Thank again all.

 

On another post I recommended a TB (throttle body) reset. I do not own an SRT. I have yet to hear this advice is not applicable to the SRT. If it is, you might want to apply the reset AND occasionally do it again. On my N/A, this 'reset' does away with pre-learned 'ole-fogey' driving habits, restoring baseline throttle responses. As a regular operation, it would be considered one of those things as 'couldn't hurt might help'. Again, if it doesn't apply to an SRT-6, disregard!

 

Thanks re: TB Reset. I'm going to give it a try. How would I perform a TB reset? Searched through the doc on the site and did not find a reference. Thx!

 

1. Turn the key to the on (not start) position, the position just before the starter turns over.
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor with the key in the "on" position.
3. Hold the pedal to the floor for five seconds, then turn the key back to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
4. Don’t remove the Key. Wait 2 mins. for a full alignment.