Diesel exhaust smell

cassell · Apr 15th, 2016, 19:00

Hi,

My car is a XC90 D5 185bhp 2006 model 90k miles from new. I get an annoying burst of strong exhaust fumes on a random basis, never continuously.

It only ever enters the car when either the sunroof is tilted or open, or if a front window is slightly open, it never happens when all are closed, nothing ever smells via heater vents or bulkhead seals. It is perhaps most apparent after a prolonged drive, slow down for a roundabout, apply the power again, that's when it becomes noticeable.

There doesn't appear to be any exhaust blowing noise when stationary, there are no fault codes, the DPF and EGR appear to be clear, fuel consumption is an average 28mpg on mixed driving. A Volvo dealer, a reputable independent and my local garage have all been unable to find the cause, emissions at MOT test were excellent.

It's frustrating and puzzling and now the better weather is coming I'd love to use the sunroof more often, but my wife forbids it!! Has anyone had a similar situation or can anyone suggest a remedy?

Thanks.
Paul.

volvoid · Apr 15th, 2016, 20:26

mine smells of roses

GreenBrick · Apr 15th, 2016, 21:46

Diesels smell, just follow one for a bit.
Which is why I am astounded that people buy open top diesels!

5cilinder · Apr 16th, 2016, 10:42

Yeah better blast away in front of cabrioś

Bonefishblues · Apr 16th, 2016, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

Diesels smell, just follow one for a bit.
Which is why I am astounded that people buy open top diesels!

Pardon? I can't hear you over this clattering.

cassell · Apr 16th, 2016, 19:04

Haha very funny all of you!

I was hoping for some constructive comments as the car has not always done this, only recently.

5cilinder · Apr 17th, 2016, 04:39

Most (all)diesels have that smell , it used to be worse 15 years ago when dieselfuel had a much higher sulphur percentage

And be glad its a small carengine , try sniffing massive industrial or oceangoing dieselplants

GreenBrick · Apr 18th, 2016, 12:45

Worn engines on petrol cars suck oil in on the overrun, then burn it when accelerating again, but I'm not sure that applies to diesels as they don't have a manifold vacuum in the same way as they have no throttle.

When my Renault diesel (yes, sorry I owned a Renault, and it was diesel, sorry again) I found that every 5K a bottle of injector cleaner really did help. It usually took about 250 miles (half a tank) to notice the difference, but I am willing to be told that injector cleaner is no longer recommended, and my advice is way out of date.

Peter V70 D5 · Apr 18th, 2016, 16:24

Could this be when it's going through "Re Generation" extra fuel burning off particles in filter?

cassell · Apr 18th, 2016, 18:47

Hi Peter,

That was my first thought but I'm told that re-gen won't happen that often (generally around every 1000km), plus the Volvo independent has checked the DPF and both its hoses/sensors and reckons its very clean and working OK.

The fumes do seem to come from the engine compartment via the scuttle and not from the exhaust after the DPF and they appear to flow up the windscreen and curl into the car via an open side window or the sunroof.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Paul

Apr 15th, 2016, 19:00	#1
cassell Member since 1988 Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 19:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Middlewich	Diesel exhaust smell Hi, My car is a XC90 D5 185bhp 2006 model 90k miles from new. I get an annoying burst of strong exhaust fumes on a random basis, never continuously. It only ever enters the car when either the sunroof is tilted or open, or if a front window is slightly open, it never happens when all are closed, nothing ever smells via heater vents or bulkhead seals. It is perhaps most apparent after a prolonged drive, slow down for a roundabout, apply the power again, that's when it becomes noticeable. There doesn't appear to be any exhaust blowing noise when stationary, there are no fault codes, the DPF and EGR appear to be clear, fuel consumption is an average 28mpg on mixed driving. A Volvo dealer, a reputable independent and my local garage have all been unable to find the cause, emissions at MOT test were excellent. It's frustrating and puzzling and now the better weather is coming I'd love to use the sunroof more often, but my wife forbids it!! Has anyone had a similar situation or can anyone suggest a remedy? Thanks. Paul.

Apr 15th, 2016, 20:26	#2
volvoid Monster Raving Loony Last Online: Nov 12th, 2018 20:03 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: hitchin	mine smells of roses __________________ 1994 850 2.0 bought at 32,000 miles used daily now 45,000. Still like a nearly-new car 2004 filthy polluting diesel VW

Apr 15th, 2016, 21:46	#3
GreenBrick SilverBrick Lives! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 19:06 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Poynton, Cheshire	Diesels smell, just follow one for a bit. Which is why I am astounded that people buy open top diesels!

Apr 16th, 2016, 10:42	#4
5cilinder Premier Member Last Online: Today 07:52 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Groningen	Yeah better blast away in front of cabrioś

Apr 16th, 2016, 19:04	#6
cassell Member since 1988 Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 19:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Middlewich	Haha very funny all of you! I was hoping for some constructive comments as the car has not always done this, only recently.

Apr 17th, 2016, 04:39	#7
5cilinder Premier Member Last Online: Today 07:52 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Groningen	Most (all)diesels have that smell , it used to be worse 15 years ago when dieselfuel had a much higher sulphur percentage And be glad its a small carengine , try sniffing massive industrial or oceangoing dieselplants

Apr 18th, 2016, 12:45	#8
GreenBrick SilverBrick Lives! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 19:06 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Poynton, Cheshire	Worn engines on petrol cars suck oil in on the overrun, then burn it when accelerating again, but I'm not sure that applies to diesels as they don't have a manifold vacuum in the same way as they have no throttle. When my Renault diesel (yes, sorry I owned a Renault, and it was diesel, sorry again) I found that every 5K a bottle of injector cleaner really did help. It usually took about 250 miles (half a tank) to notice the difference, but I am willing to be told that injector cleaner is no longer recommended, and my advice is way out of date.

Apr 18th, 2016, 16:24	#9
Peter V70 D5 Member Last Online: Feb 6th, 2018 22:45 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Llanelli	Could this be when it's going through "Re Generation" extra fuel burning off particles in filter?

Apr 18th, 2016, 18:47	#10
cassell Member since 1988 Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 19:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Middlewich	Hi Peter, That was my first thought but I'm told that re-gen won't happen that often (generally around every 1000km), plus the Volvo independent has checked the DPF and both its hoses/sensors and reckons its very clean and working OK. The fumes do seem to come from the engine compartment via the scuttle and not from the exhaust after the DPF and they appear to flow up the windscreen and curl into the car via an open side window or the sunroof. Thanks for your thoughts, Paul

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