# 1998 Saturn SL1, original owner, 77,000 miles. Painful toxic fumes **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** sl, saturn\ **Created:** [September 22, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272 "2020-09-22T18:19:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Regan-9](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/regan-9/32/22609_2.png) [@Regan-9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Regan-9)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/1 "2020-09-22T18:19:54Z")
The fumes inside my car have no odor, but it stings my throat horribly and my eyes are stinging and watering. Even with the windows down, it’s awful. I don’t know what’s going on. Is this just an old car deteriorating? I’ve planned on having this car for many more years, despite the age. I’ve taken good care, and it’s been driven very little. Any help is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/2 "2020-09-22T18:23:22Z")
Why are you not replacing this thing or at least have it in a shop to see what the problem is ? Do you have this problem in any other vehicle or any where else ? How long has this been a problem ? ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/3 "2020-09-22T18:27:58Z")
Sound like a possible carbon monoxide leak have it checked [[[ASAP]]] ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/4 "2020-09-22T19:11:36Z")
An overcharging battery due to a bad voltage regulator? Acid fumes are very stinging. Voltage regulators are usually in the alternator. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/5 "2020-09-22T21:13:26Z")
I agree with Renegade. Check for an exhaust leak immediately. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/6 "2020-09-23T01:10:59Z")
Might very well be exhaust manifold flange gaskets leaking, cracked exhaust manifold . . . something along those lines ---
**Author:** ![Regan-9](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/regan-9/32/22609_2.png) [@Regan-9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Regan-9)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/7 "2020-09-23T03:27:51Z")
I’m on disability, 800 a month. This started today. I don’t know anyone that knows cars, that’s why I was hoping for some advice here. ---
**Author:** ![Regan-9](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/regan-9/32/22609_2.png) [@Regan-9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Regan-9)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/8 "2020-09-23T03:28:52Z")
Thank you, I really appreciate your prompt reply! ---
**Author:** ![Regan-9](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/regan-9/32/22609_2.png) [@Regan-9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Regan-9)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/9 "2020-09-23T03:30:05Z")
Thanks, I’ll have to get it in a shop somehow. Appreciate your reply! ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saturn-sl1-original-owner-77-000-miles-painful-toxic-fumes/170272/10 "2020-09-23T17:12:51Z")
If the charging voltage is good, check the battery for load capacity. If you have an older battery, it could have an internal short. It may not be bad enough yet to prevent the car from starting, but it will strain the alternator and could cost you more in the long run because then, you’d have to replace the alternator and the battery. But this is only if your battery does not have a passing load capacity. If the exhaust looks good, then beside to check for any holes in the trunk and the trunk lid seal. Most likely case would be a rust hole under the spare tire. This will draw fumes back into the car even if the exhaust is not leaking. Also check the seals around the tail lights. They never seal completely but if the seal was completely gone, it could be the cause.