Bad Smell from Engine

[Bellers]

We have a 180PS DSG, with a annoying intermittent problem. This occurs when the engine is warm, in warm weather only and noticeable when the vehicle is at a standstill. Bascially a foul smell comes in to the vehicle for a short time and light smoke can be seen coming from the engine externally. This lasts only for a couple of minutes and only very occasionally, Vindis VW Northampton could find no problem or suggest and answer, anyone come across this?

 

[Californiaman]

No, this isn't something I have encountered on my 180 DSG! Something must be leaking!

 

[Custardtart]

It's not the smell of the DPF regeneration is it - maybe if you stop during a regen?

I think it smells a bit like burnt clutch but others have described it as bad eggs.

 

[Wojtek Boden]

Ask your Van Centre to have a specific look at the exhaust manifold/manifold gasket.
I had a similar problem to yours and asked my local Van Centre to investigate. They said they could not find any faults. The problem got worse over a number of years and a different Van Centre diagnosed either a manifold gasket fault or a cracked manifold. In my case it was a cracked manifold, which I was told was a known fault, although not common. I was assured that the replacement manifold has been strengthened.
Regards,
Wojtek

 

[Bellers]

thanks for the suggestions, my California is booked into Vindis Van Centre tomorrow anyway, I shall get them to investigate the exhaust manifold.

 

[oldmtber]

Sounds like DPF re-generation. It happened to us on one occasion when the DPF was part way through the cycle, smelt like an electrical component had burnt out and as you say a lot of heat from the engine compartment. Caused one of those heart stopping moments I can tell you! Fortunately my son in law is a vehicle tech with Ford and recognised it straight away.

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Does sound like it could be the DPF regenerating. If it is, there won't be any faults logged as it is essentially a normal process. You may also notice the revs increase at idle whilst this is happening as well.

cheers

 

[Bellers]

Having spoken to the master tech at Vindis it would appear most likely to be the Dpf regeneration. The exhaust manifold problem he said is a well known fault on the 2.5tdi engines not on the later 2.0tdi. I am surprised however that so few people seemed to have experienced the smell from the dpf.

 

[Meoncoast]

I was always getting this on my last car (subaru forester) never on the Cali. normally the question was asked who's dropped one NO ITs THE CAR

 

[ja197]

I get the PDF symptoms and have been trying to get to the bottom of it for some time - it seems to have no pattern but is definitely more noticable in warm weather.. Thanks for the info its put my mind at rest.