Check the gasket between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. The aerodynamics of the car will suck exhaust leaks in the engine compartment into the interior and it will seem like they are coming from the front of the car...Dave
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Well for starters it can't come from the front of the car unless you are following a gas truck. 
I would start by looking, or rather smelling, the injectors and where they sit in the fuel rail. Next would be under the coolant bottle and the fuel line connector that is secured there.
With the car off, turn it on and off a few times to pressurize the fuel system, but don't start it. Then just go around and follow the fuel line and smell, look, feel to see if there are any leaks.
You might be able to check the entire fuel line system if you pulled the air box out as the lines run under there as well.
When you crack the window I'm assuming it's the driver side and not the passenger side?
I would start by looking, or rather smelling, the injectors and where they sit in the fuel rail. Next would be under the coolant bottle and the fuel line connector that is secured there.
With the car off, turn it on and off a few times to pressurize the fuel system, but don't start it. Then just go around and follow the fuel line and smell, look, feel to see if there are any leaks.
You might be able to check the entire fuel line system if you pulled the air box out as the lines run under there as well.
When you crack the window I'm assuming it's the driver side and not the passenger side?
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That's a rough one... Thanks for sharing.
I can believe the exhaust leak but not the fuel leak at this point simply because of my mileage. I drove 262.4 miles before refueling and put 8.31 gallons in. Wouldn't it show up in economy if this was the issue?
I have opened the hood while the car is running and can't confirm any sounds, smells, or visual displays of gas leaking. I would think that after letting it idle for 10-15 minutes it would have left a puddle in the garage. Then again, it may be a small leak that only happens when the pedal is somewhat depressed.
I hope it is a simple fix. I will enjoy it that much more if they could help me with this one item.
Not really. Just a little leak won't use much if any fuel.That's a rough one... Thanks for sharing.
I can believe the exhaust leak but not the fuel leak at this point simply because of my mileage. I drove 262.4 miles before refueling and put 8.31 gallons in. Wouldn't it show up in economy if this was the issue?
I have opened the hood while the car is running and can't confirm any sounds, smells, or visual displays of gas leaking. I would think that after letting it idle for 10-15 minutes it would have left a puddle in the garage. Then again, it may be a small leak that only happens when the pedal is somewhat depressed.
I hope it is a simple fix. I will enjoy it that much more if they could help me with this one item.
Again, if a minor leak it would evaporate very quickly from a running motor. It will leak when you first turn your key on just as much as if you were at WOT. The rail is pressurized...
If no smells then you are good. Check your exhaust from manifold to tip. Especially around any of the fittings or welds.
It's oily, but VERY much like gas. My eyes are still watering and burning from my ride this morning. rotfl
My clothes stink too. I left the windows down so I didn't feel too woosy or tired this time.
What a smelly situation. My car has bad gas. I thought my wife's gas was bad enough - now my car has it too. And what's worse? It lingers longer than my wife's bad gas!
If it's a strong gas smell then I personally wouldn't drive it until I found it. Leaking injectors has burned more than one car to the ground before. It's even more likely in cold weather on cars that use hose clamps to secure the lines as the rubber hoses shrink allowing fuel to leak around a loose clamp.
My wife doesn't like to ride in my Exige because it "smells like a motor" inside. But it doesn't smell like gas at any point during my driving.
Exhaust doesn't smell like gas.
Oil doesn't smell like gas.
Gas smells like gas.
Pull the injector cover off and see if your fuel rail is leaking, other than that like I said earlier follow all the fuel lines around and find where your smell is coming from. Don't forget the passenger side and the charcoal canister too.
Or if you can't find it take it to someone that knows Lotus' and get them to locate the leak for you. Or tell you to man up and it's a normal smell and your nose is just too sensitive. rotfl
Really don't want to read a post from you about how your Elise burnt to the ground...
My wife doesn't like to ride in my Exige because it "smells like a motor" inside. But it doesn't smell like gas at any point during my driving.
Exhaust doesn't smell like gas.
Oil doesn't smell like gas.
Gas smells like gas.
Pull the injector cover off and see if your fuel rail is leaking, other than that like I said earlier follow all the fuel lines around and find where your smell is coming from. Don't forget the passenger side and the charcoal canister too.
Or if you can't find it take it to someone that knows Lotus' and get them to locate the leak for you. Or tell you to man up and it's a normal smell and your nose is just too sensitive. rotfl
Really don't want to read a post from you about how your Elise burnt to the ground...
Its a bit concerning you continue to drive the car in this condition...It's oily, but VERY much like gas. My eyes are still watering and burning from my ride this morning. rotfl
My clothes stink too. I left the windows down so I didn't feel too woosy or tired this time.
What a smelly situation. My car has bad gas. I thought my wife's gas was bad enough - now my car has it too. And what's worse? It lingers longer than my wife's bad gas!
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