S40 2ltr D Smell

[volvodriver]

Hi all,
I have a problem with a smell coming from the engine when under load. I tow a caravan and when pulling the car makes a very bad fishy/rotting smell around the car and alot of the time can enter the car. Volvo UK say they can't find fault and don't seem to what to do anything about the problem. I got my volvo dealer to make the smell in a new V50 that had just been delivered, by placing the engine under load (ie handbrake up and try to drive with revs around 2,500). The smell appeared but they don't know how or why.

Anyone tow a caravan and get this smell when moving it around?
Can anyone else create such a smell? If so, please let Volvo UK know (they then may believe I am not making it up)

Any thoughts welcome........

Darren
2004 NEW S40 2.0D S

[Darth Paul]

I'll keep a, er, nose open for it.

Took delivery of an S40 2.0D SE on the 1st... And we tow a trailer when we go weekend camping.

How old is your car? My engine smells, but it is just the new 'hot' smell that all engines go through.

[volvodriver]

Mine is a 54 reg from 1st Sept 04. (S40 2.0D S (with most extras)):-)

Mine had that new engine smell before as well and not for long, but this is different.

thanks

Darren
2004 NEW S40 2.0D S

[alfonzobonzo]

handbrake on, 2500 revs

either burning clutch or burning brake pads

shurly???

eggy burning smell

[volvodriver]

handbrake on is the way I got my dealer to repeat the smell.

It could be clutch when moving the caravan. BUT it has done this smell after running bad (splutering in traffic) reved the car up and got the smell. Volvo tell me that around every 300 miles the cat' drops its contents into the air to clear itself. It could be that?


Darren
2004 NEW S40 2.0D S

[alfonzobonzo]

that sounds like dealer BS. ;-/

[El Dingo]

Could this be a catalyst smell???
Catalysed petrol cars emit a rotten eggs smell - is this also true of catalysed diesels???:lep_confused:

[scottishvolvo]

I'd guess a slipping clutch would be the cause.

[Paul Clifton]

Definately sounds like clutch lining burning, if that makes sense, i.e. clutch slipping. I believe some of the early diesel cars had clutch problems. If it has been slipping signifcantly you should be able to smell it if you lift bonnet and get as near to the gearbox as you can. There will be residual odour there all the time.

Paul.

[Clan]

yep they are Ford clutches , the replacement one is a "volvo" one = modified

[s.robo]

just come back off holiday towing a caravan (held it on a hill waiting to turn onto road) stunk really bad .


...quite worried .....

do i need a clutch ???

or do i wait for it to start slipping???

ps: how much for a new clutch fitted these days..


S40 2.0 D SE sport 2004

[Clan]

that sounds like dealer BS. ;-/


They do this if Euro 4 emission standard to regenerate the particle filter , but you dont usualy notice it ..

[CW_]

Bet it's the clutch, the 2.0d's have massive torque and if not careful it's easy to slip the clutch, I've done it occasionally when accelerating hard on a dual carriage-way etc changing from 4th to 5th at 80ish, the change from 4500 revs to 2000 right where the turbo works well is too much for the clutch and it slips until you ease off. I assume the same thing would occur when towing, 320nm of torque and a big load is just too much for the clutch.

[Viper_7]

Can anyone else create such a smell? If so, please let Volvo UK know (they then may believe I am not making it up)



I could bring the wife around...:grn_md_wht:

Seriously though, as the problem only occurs under load like pulling a caravan, it's likely to be the clutch.

Stick her in reverse with the handbrake hard on and try and drive away. Can you move or does the clutch slip easily - and does the smell come back.

Vipes

[MarkE]

Bet it's the clutch, the 2.0d's have massive torque and if not careful it's easy to slip the clutch, I've done it occasionally when accelerating hard on a dual carriage-way etc changing from 4th to 5th at 80ish, the change from 4500 revs to 2000 right where the turbo works well is too much for the clutch and it slips until you ease off. I assume the same thing would occur when towing, 320nm of torque and a big load is just too much for the clutch.

You might want to get your clutch checked out - mine doesn't slip at all, even with 390Nm torque...