Hyundai i20 - i20- smoke emission from the air vents

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Tue 16 Sep 2025 16:49
Hyundai i20 - i20- smoke emission from the air vents - garichd

I own a 2013 i20 and have been experiencing smoke emission from the air vents. While there's no visible color to the smoke, I can feel warm air and detect a smoke/petrol odor inside the cabin. This issue persists even when both the air conditioning and fan are switched off. Could someone please advise on the potential causes and appropriate solutions for this problem?

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Tue 16 Sep 2025 16:57
Hyundai i20 - i20- smoke emission from the air vents - skidpan

Could be an exhaust leak.

Suggest you stop driving until its sorted. Exhaust fumes are not healthy, in truth they are potentially deadly.

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Tue 16 Sep 2025 18:09
Hyundai i20 - i20- smoke emission from the air vents - Andrew-T

The cabin air intake is usually from the scuttle below the windscreen, so if the smell is both smoke and petrol, any leak must be from the engine compartment. The MoT test should report any serious exhaust leaks, and if there is enough petrol to smell, the car should fail on hydrocarbon emissions. Is the smell reduced if you switch to 'recirculate' ?

Some cars' ventilation can be affected by an open sunroof or rear window ?

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Tue 16 Sep 2025 22:34
Hyundai i20 - i20- smoke emission from the air vents - bathtub tom

Have you lifted the bonnet and cleared the leaves and other debris from the heater air intake (usually just below the windscreen)? When was the cabin air filter last changed?

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