Diesel smell at idle

Elfed · Feb 21st, 2011, 18:42

HI guys, I've started smelling diesel in my car when it's idling, can't smell it when I'm driving though, any ideas?

Thanks

Elfed · Feb 21st, 2011, 18:44

Forgot to say what car it is, S40 SE Sport 2.0d, euro 3, non DPF.

Welton · Feb 22nd, 2011, 08:17

This could well be a worn exhaust down-pipe flexi. This happens a lot on Peugeot HDi's and is caused by excess engine movement (thanks to tired engine mounts) which eventually breaks through the flexi connection and makes it leak.

Strangely, you'd think you would hear a leaking exhaust so close to the manifold but not so on a Diesel! you're more likely to get just a low/gruff sound and hardly notice.

Worth a look, or alternatively is could be a leaking EGR valve.

Some good independent garages will do a smoke/pressure test via the inlet manifold to uncover exhaust leaks and this is a very useful exercise.

Elfed · Feb 22nd, 2011, 09:20

Thanks for that, will try and get it looked at, these EGR valves seem to be nothing but trouble.

Elfed · Feb 22nd, 2011, 10:32

Just thought now, my car had an MOT two weeks ago, wouldn't the exhaust show up on that, or the EGR?

Welton · Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfed

Just thought now, my car had an MOT two weeks ago, wouldn't the exhaust show up on that, or the EGR?

Well not always, depends who's doing the MOT - they tend to focus on the exhaust pipework further back and these flexi's can be tricky to look at in detail.

Elfed · Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:48

Can this flexi pipe be done at an exhaust centre or is it a garage job?

Thanks

Welton · Feb 22nd, 2011, 15:20

Assuming it is the flexi then you'd either need a replacement downpipe section (on a Peugeot this includes the CAT £££££) or if there's a joint either side of the flexi it may be replaced with a new one.

A decent tyre/exhaust place should be able to do this but equally if you prefer a garage you can trust then they would do it just as well.

If the downpipe includes the CAT then you may need to think about getting a flexi welded-in to keep the cost down.

Firstly you need to get the car up in the air on some proper ramps and get a good look at the system.

Elfed · Feb 22nd, 2011, 20:36

Ouch!!

I'll need to get someone to have a look at the car first before assuming anything. The smell is there after the car has been standing for a while, you can smell it from the outside?

faffi · Feb 22nd, 2011, 22:13

Maybe look for a leak?

Feb 21st, 2011, 18:42	#1
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Diesel smell at idle HI guys, I've started smelling diesel in my car when it's idling, can't smell it when I'm driving though, any ideas? Thanks

Feb 22nd, 2011, 08:17	#3
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	This could well be a worn exhaust down-pipe flexi. This happens a lot on Peugeot HDi's and is caused by excess engine movement (thanks to tired engine mounts) which eventually breaks through the flexi connection and makes it leak. Strangely, you'd think you would hear a leaking exhaust so close to the manifold but not so on a Diesel! you're more likely to get just a low/gruff sound and hardly notice. Worth a look, or alternatively is could be a leaking EGR valve. Some good independent garages will do a smoke/pressure test via the inlet manifold to uncover exhaust leaks and this is a very useful exercise. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Feb 22nd, 2011, 15:20	#8
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	Assuming it is the flexi then you'd either need a replacement downpipe section (on a Peugeot this includes the CAT £££££) or if there's a joint either side of the flexi it may be replaced with a new one. A decent tyre/exhaust place should be able to do this but equally if you prefer a garage you can trust then they would do it just as well. If the downpipe includes the CAT then you may need to think about getting a flexi welded-in to keep the cost down. Firstly you need to get the car up in the air on some proper ramps and get a good look at the system. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Feb 21st, 2011, 18:44	#2
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Forgot to say what car it is, S40 SE Sport 2.0d, euro 3, non DPF.

Feb 22nd, 2011, 09:20	#4
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Thanks for that, will try and get it looked at, these EGR valves seem to be nothing but trouble.

Feb 22nd, 2011, 10:32	#5
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Just thought now, my car had an MOT two weeks ago, wouldn't the exhaust show up on that, or the EGR?

Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:48	#7
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Can this flexi pipe be done at an exhaust centre or is it a garage job? Thanks

Feb 22nd, 2011, 20:36	#9
Elfed Member Last Online: Jan 23rd, 2013 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangor	Ouch!! I'll need to get someone to have a look at the car first before assuming anything. The smell is there after the car has been standing for a while, you can smell it from the outside?

Feb 22nd, 2011, 22:13	#10
faffi Motorcyclist Last Online: May 14th, 2015 22:34 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stavanger	Maybe look for a leak?

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