Smell of diesel in the cabin?

[Troels]

Hi Forum

I've only used the auxiliary heater in my T6 Ocean 4motion TDI (2016) a couple of times. Once to try it out this summer - and now a few times when really needed (Danish winter, gotta love it).

But I really can't use it, because it smells of diesel/gasses in the cabin. At least enough to make make my wife and daughter nausea. Is this normal? If so, then to what extent?

Note: All windows, doors and roof are kept closed, and there was a mild breeze, so I fail to see that it's the external exhaust being drawn in ...

Thanks, Troels

 

[rod_vw]

Fumes may come in through the 'drop-out' vent(s) in the floor. There should be 'drop-out' vents through the floor in any vehicle that has gas appliances installed, normally under the part of the units that house the cooker as I think that is the only gas appliance that you have.
The heater exhaust is in the centre of the vehicle under the gap between the front seats, fumes from that will rise into the chassis area especially when there is little or no wind.
It may be a good idea to run the heater for a prolonged period on high output to purge any soot build-up in its chamber or exhaust, that may reduce the problem in normal usage. Also be aware that these heaters always startup and run to boost output before settling down to provide the desired output so will always produce the most exhaust at that time.
My heaters have always made some smell inside the vehicle in the period just after start-up but then it goes away (or we get used to it) during prolonged use, over night etc. I always exit my DIY fitted exhausts in the same place as VW do.

Rod

 

[Ben Nevis]

Hi Forum

I've only used the auxiliary heater in my T6 Ocean 4motion TDI (2016) a couple of times. Once to try it out this summer - and now a few times when really needed (Danish winter, gotta love it).

But I really can't use it, because it smells of diesel/gasses in the cabin. At least enough to make make my wife and daughter nausea. Is this normal? If so, then to what extent?

Note: All windows, doors and roof are kept closed, and there was a mild breeze, so I fail to see that it's the external exhaust being drawn in ...

Thanks, Troels

It would be wise to get this checked before using it. Do you have a carbon monoxide alarm?

 

[Hotel California]

If you should smell DIESEL in the cabin there's something terribly wrong.

If you smell exhaust from the aux-heater it is normal , at start-up it does is noticeble . Try to leave the doors and windows shut when starting up the aux-heater.
Wind can also be a factor in this .
If it stays smelling exhaustgas you need to have it checked.

 

[westfalia]

I get the diesel fumes inside also.
Sometimes it´s from the coolant ´webasto´heater.

I keep wondering if i could extend the exhausts on both heaters to direct the
fumes towards the rear of the van.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Same model of cali, same experience. We used heater many times and experience the smell normally only during startup of heater as rod_w describes but sometimes it is for longer period of time and don't know why. Last time was during a week in november with little or no wind. It smells not always like diesel but more like the fume of a candle after you blow it out.. (that is soot I suppose..)
As soot build up may be the cause I let the heater run at higher setting (5) for 1/2h or longer when the smell becomes disturbing..
when I used the heater recenty there was no smell whatever..
My car is outside 24/7 and heater is used in the morning when temperatur goes below zero.
I am not aware of any maintenance or service needed for this heater . does anyone know if l VW will take care of that when cali is in the garage for maintenance ?

 

[Hotel California]

@Roger Boeken ,those heaters need litlle maintenance but if i was you i would not let just any VW dealer mess with it .
Look for specialist dealers dooing campers or specific repairshops for aux-diesel hetathers (they are fitted in trucks/lorry's also)

@westfalia , don't think extending the exhaust is a option .

 

[andyinluton]

Fumes may come in through the 'drop-out' vent(s) in the floor. There should be 'drop-out' vents through the floor in any vehicle that has gas appliances installed, normally under the part of the units that house the cooker as I think that is the only gas appliance that you have.

Rod

The only drop out vent in a cali is in the gas locker at the back & thats sealed from the van interior.

 

[rod_vw]

Eberspacher heaters supplied in the UK for aftermarket fitment have a warranty requirement that they are serviced by a qualified engineer annually. I believe it may be the case that in Germany it's a TUV (MOT) requirement that the burner chamber is renewed after ten years and certified as having been so.
As far as I am aware no VW dealer in the UK has the same service requirement. Why?

Rod

 

[Troels]

Thanks for highly valuable replies.

And yes, it's definitely the smell from fumes/exhaust, and not actual diesel. I'll try to give a long, high burn and see if that cleans it. And then buy a carbon monoxide alarm, of course