persistent smoky smell

Answer 1

I'm researching the same problem. The answer seems to be that there is something in the house that is sucking air (could be any number of things) and it is drawing air down your chimney; the smoky smell of the chimney is drawn into the house, too. A common solution I have read is installing a top sealing damper on the top of the chimney, to seal it better than a standard damper down in the fireplace. Google that or "stack effect" and you'll get more professional information.