Strange Smell

[Guest Tony77]

I have recently bought a 1.9Tdi ghia at a very reasonable price because of the millage. It seems to drive ok on the motorway, thought it might have been a bit quicker than what it is, but this being my first diesel i have no comparison.

 

I noticed while driving there is a strong smell coming through the vents, it smells a bit like exhaust fumes but i am not too sure, quite pungent after a while.

My Dad was following me and he said that there was a bit of smoke coming out of the exhaust at high revs. Could they be related???

 

Any advice would be grateful.

[seatkid]

1. Check the pollen filter has been changed in the last 20-30k miles.

 

2. If it is a musty or smokers smell, it is the aircon evaporator, this can become covered in bacterial growth due to the damp that can linger in there. Needs to be treated or cleaned somehow.

 

Cheapo Remedy? :( If it were mine I would spray some Sainsbury Microban air freshener into the system. Turn to recirc mode, select ECON mode (no a/c), low temp (no heat), lowish fan speed and spray into inlet located in passenger footwell until there is a reasonable amount in , switch off and allow 15-30 mins to "kill those germs", repeat if necessary, then probably finish off with a medium blast of highest heat possible for 20 mins to kill them stubborn critters. (Don't know how effective this would be but its worth a try!)

 

3. Unlikely to be diesel/exhaust fumes I think.

 

If its smoking a little, check air intake filter - probably not been changed (or serviced) for yonks. :(

[Guest Tony77]

I was having a poke around in the engine compartment with engine on and i could have swarn i saw some exhaust fumes coming up!!!

Might have an exhaust leak somewhere, any ideas where to look first?

Also when i reach high revs whilst driving i get quite alot of black smoke coming out, is this normal or could it be related to having an exhaust leak somewhere?

 

Cheers.

[seatkid]

The exhaust system comes out the back of the engine block. If you want to check the exhaust system out, you will need to examine it from underneath with the engine tray removed, with the vehicle raised. If you dont have the facilities, then take it to an exhaust specialist such as kwik-fit who Im sure will oblige.

 

But first, If you remove the engine top cover, you could check if its an oil leak/spill round the back that causing smoke (from a hot exhaust).

 

Black smoke from the exhaust is due excessive fuel and too little air, could be caused by a number of things. First thing to check is air filter, remove it and look (under) to see if its clean.

 

When was it last serviced?

[Guest Tony77]

Went to an exhaust place today to get it checked and was told i had a small hole in the flexi down pipe, which apparently is a main dealer part only so is going to cost me a bit!!

Still, nice to know what the problem is anyway.

[Guest SA Intruder]

Other sources of similar problems are the turbo couplings, and the EGR valve which is a piece of crap from a durability point of view.

 

For those poor sods with air injection, these can leak like crazy too. (Usually accompanied by rough running).

[seatkid]

the flexi down pipe, which apparently is a main dealer part only so is going to cost me a bit!!

Still, nice to know what the problem is anyway.

Not when you find out how much its going to cost! :D :D

[Guest Tony77]

Tell me about it. They have qouted

[seatkid]

Go back to where you bought it and get them to cover it (or part) - they sold you an unroadworthy vehicle - a leaking flexi pipe fails the MOT.

 

Its worthwhile phoning around exhaust specialists and other dealers (inc VW/Seat) - I doubt it is a dealer only part. My golf flexi was done at around half the cost of main dealer.