Ok... After racking my brain, much searching, some confusion, and complaining from misc people I am finally asking the following question. What the hell is going on with my car? I guess the general consensus is that the smell is coming from the area below my shifter in the cabin compartment. I have no problems with my shifting what so ever (thank god), no misfiring, nothing. Any ideas everyone? My thoughts are either a cat issue or something else. Not much of a lead at this point.

 

probably your shifter boots are worn and allowing fumes to rise through the shifter area.

 

I concur, busted shift boots. Also might want to check for any exhaust leaks, not that it's a big deal.



Just keep your windows open, and try not to pass out from the fumes.

 

i third that. the rear seal on the tranny leaks a lil oil out and splashes it onto the shifter boot wich rots is away and makes and interesting gue.

 

If your rear hatch seal is bad exhaxust fumes tend to be vacumed into the inside of the car... just thought i'd throw that in..

 

theres a bulletin on the s5's, they pump oil into the shifter, and the extra pressure in there makes it leak, which gets hot transmission oil vapors all over the shifter boots which ruins those, which lets fumes leak into the cabin....



you can replace the boots, but you really should fix the oil leak too.



unfortunately the trans needs to come out, and the tailshaft housing comes off, and you grind a little notch/channel in the shift rod...

 

I have never been happier to hear that I have to fix a gasket... (damn... I never thought I could say that...)