Bought a 98 camaro 3.8v6. I smell fuel and hear a loud exhaust sound from passenger side of engine bay. Has multiple misfire code reading and throttle position sensor code reading. Somebody told me it sounds like dead cylinders. Wondering if this is simply an exhaust leak between manifold and cat converter or if it is more serious. It's very slow, very loud, shakes at idle but maintains 900 rpm idle. Any help is greatly appreciated

 

could be for sure ,you need to have someone read the codes an bring it in an have someone look at it ,unless you can do it yourself ,any mech should be able to tell you an not charge you a dime ,there will be some else come along to

 

Well with the information you gave us there is no way to know what is going on. Unless "Somebody" had a lot more information then you gave us he is clueless. The random misfire code is a catch all for something is wrong. The throttle position code would keep the motor from closed loop. You are going to have do some tests and track down the exhaust leak. If you have a misfire code for a single cylinder you should start with pulling the plug and seeing what it looks like.

 

? when is the last time you did plugs an wires ,it could be something as simple as a fouled plug making is run in 5 cycle ,like said need where the exhaust leak is

 

check exhaust manifold gasket, leaking there would mess up the 02 sensor readings and could make a rich condition. is any of the exhaust making it out the rear of the car. plugged cat can cause it to run like crab