Help Needed: Burning /unpleasant Smell and Smoke from Camper Van – Any Insights?

[Mourr]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here can shed light on an issue I’ve been experiencing with my camper van (California T6 Ocean 2019/Diesel/LHD). Here’s the background:
• The Situation: Last week, during a drive from Amsterdam to France, we noticed a strong burning/acrid smell in the cabin near Geneva. Upon stopping, I saw smoke coming from underneath the chassis, near the rear wheel on the driver’s side/opposite to exhaust pipe. (See the included video link below for reference.)
• Initial Checks: I suspected a stuck brake pad, but the wheel rim and brake caliper weren’t hot. When we reached our destination (about 100 km from Geneva), a local garage inspected the brakes and pads but found nothing wrong. There are no fluid leaks when the van is parked overnight.
• Return Trip: On the way back to Amsterdam, the same burning smell returned, though there was no visible smoke this time ( rear wheel area). I opened the engine bonnet and noticed the same smell there. While nothing seemed out of place visually, I’m wondering if the issue might be related to the belt (e.g., slippage or excessive friction), but I’m not certain.

Question: Has anyone encountered something similar? Could this be related to the drivetrain, exhaust, or something else I’m overlooking? Any advice or ideas on what could be causing this issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help and insights!
Cali Smoke under chassis Rear

 

[Keith Smith]

This looks like it could be steam/water vapour. Any chance water is getting on the exhaust pipe?

 

[Mourr]

This looks like it could be steam/water vapour. Any chance water is getting on the exhaust pipe?

thanks! And it’s possible, but water vapor alone doesn’t explain the acrid smell. Based on what I’ve read in other posts, the smell could be related to the EGR/DPF regeneration cycle, which is known to produce a distinct odor. My California T6 has 48,000 km on the clock, and I’ve never noticed a regeneration cycle before, so I’m unsure what it’s supposed to smell like or if somehow I was in the middle of cycle when I noticed the vapour/smoke - and subsequently made an association between the two events.

 

[Corradobrit]

thanks! And it’s possible, but water vapor alone doesn’t explain the acrid smell. Based on what I’ve read in other posts, the smell could be related to the EGR/DPF regeneration cycle, which is known to produce a distinct odor. My California T6 has 48,000 km on the clock, and I’ve never noticed a regeneration cycle before, so I’m unsure what it’s supposed to smell like or if somehow I was in the middle of cycle when I noticed the vapour/smoke - and subsequently made an association between the two events.

White billowing smoke and an acrid odour seems like a classic DPF regeneration cycle. Get the Carista dongle and monitor the buildup of carbon and how that relates to the the DPF triggering on the phone App. I'm almost certain its that and nothing to be concerned about. It happened on my inaugural trip away in a traffic jam and had me worried, even though I knew sort of what to expect.

 

[L S G]

In my experience of a regeneration cycle on a T6.1, there was a noticeable excess of heat and hot smell in and around the engine bay, despite the water and oil temps remaining in the normal range at around 90C. I didn't see anything like steam underneath or towards the rear.
Sorry, but that probably doesn't allay any concerns you still may have.

I don't have any experience with the T6.0. Good luck with finding the cause.

 

[John Rowson]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here can shed light on an issue I’ve been experiencing with my camper van (California T6 Ocean 2019/Diesel/LHD). Here’s the background:
• The Situation: Last week, during a drive from Amsterdam to France, we noticed a strong burning/acrid smell in the cabin near Geneva. Upon stopping, I saw smoke coming from underneath the chassis, near the rear wheel on the driver’s side/opposite to exhaust pipe. (See the included video link below for reference.)
• Initial Checks: I suspected a stuck brake pad, but the wheel rim and brake caliper weren’t hot. When we reached our destination (about 100 km from Geneva), a local garage inspected the brakes and pads but found nothing wrong. There are no fluid leaks when the van is parked overnight.
• Return Trip: On the way back to Amsterdam, the same burning smell returned, though there was no visible smoke this time ( rear wheel area). I opened the engine bonnet and noticed the same smell there. While nothing seemed out of place visually, I’m wondering if the issue might be related to the belt (e.g., slippage or excessive friction), but I’m not certain.

Question: Has anyone encountered something similar? Could this be related to the drivetrain, exhaust, or something else I’m overlooking? Any advice or ideas on what could be causing this issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help and insights!
Cali Smoke under chassis Rear

Is it possible that Adblue is leaking onto the exhaust? I had an issue with leaking adblue from a faulty connection. It didn't leak onto the exhaust though, but the acrid smell suggests it could be this. That's all I can think of at the moment. Good luck.

 

[crookrise]

DPF regen.

 

[Mourr]

Thanks all, very much. much appreciated!
I've booked the Van for a service this week. Described the problem to the shop, they will investigate. Will report back here the outcome.

 

[Truman]

DPF regeneration. I had a similar issue when I bought my California, bad smell, excessive heat it turned out it was just doing a regen. Much to my relief ‍

 

[Resfeber]

Thanks all, very much. much appreciated!
I've booked the Van for a service this week. Described the problem to the shop, they will investigate. Will report back here the outcome.

Had an issue with an acrid smell in cab at startup and noticeable in garage and under bonnet. (On previous T6 150 dsg Ocean)
Cause was a fractured EGR rear pipe leaking exhaust fumes into engine bay and also getting drawn into the cab.
No dash warnings but smell very acrid and eye watering .

 

[Mourr]

Just got the car back from the garage ( VW camper centrum in Amersfoort, NL). They inspected and couldn’t replicate/find any issue ( no leak / nothing broken)…to be said by the time a brought the camper , the smell had already subsided, so hard to describe it to the mechanic or give him anything more specific to go on.
@Resfeber thx a mil for the pictures , I will presto check and revert .