I have some sort of exhaust problem right now, the floor on the drivers side gets hot and I can smell burning (like the smell of fabric burning) when I'm stopped at a light after driving for more than 10-15 minutes.

I know I need to get it in and looked at ASAP, but the earliest I can do that is next week and I need to drive it for the next two days. My question is, how close are the fuel lines to the exhaust system and should I be concerned about starting a fire or causing an explosion if I keep driving it?

2004 G35 Sedan (not the X)

Thanks!

 

I would get it looked at asap..

 

The fuel lines run along the passenger's side. A quick inspection by yourself should be able to tell you if there's anything making contact with the exhaust.

 

Any codes or mechanical issue with the car? Seem down on power?

Barring anything physically touching the exhaust and heating up, my thoughts would be the passenger bank is running lean, or a blocked cat on that side.

 

No codes. When I start the car the exhaust sounds loud on the drivers side (quieter on the passenger side) but once I reach my destination it seems to have quieted down. I haven't noticed any serious loss in power, however it's winter here and because it's a RWD I take it pretty easy so I haven't been able to fully test it out.

The louder exhaust started up a few months ago but I wasn't overly concerned about it because I hadn't noticed any other issues, until the burning smell when I was stopped at a light a couple of days ago.

 

Check your muffler flange at the rear of the car. These are prone to rusting out and leaking.

When mine rusted out, the car was louder and i occasionally got a whiff of exhaust in the interior due to the leak being under the car.

 

The smell isn't exhaust, it's of fabric burning. The floor boards are getting so hot it's starting to burn the carpet.

It's going into the mechanic on Monday. I'm just praying it's not a bad catalytic converter.

 

I would carry a fire extinguisher till you get it fixed.