DIESEL SMELL

appydaze

appydaze

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Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Posts
789
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2,299
Location
southend on sea essex
Funster No
8,875
MH
Merc high top
Exp
20 years
Hi all, Can anyone tell me why my van when running, smells, in fact stinks of
a really strong diesel smell.
I have a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 75 K miles that has just passed its MOT and yet even when ticking over the smell takes your breath away.
Anyone got any ideas please.
 
Check fuel filter is tightened enough.
 
We had a hairline crack in an injector pipe, only leaked when under load. Changed pipes all ok now
 
I should have explained better. The smell is of burnt diesel not the fuel smell itself.
 
OK, exhaust or manifold leak.

Martin

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But has just passed MOT. The smell is coming out of exhaust pipe so something seems to be wrong in the engine or is there a filter on the exhaust that maybe blocked or sooted up?
 
A stab in the dark. Have you got a return pipe from the pump to the tank and it’s leaking/spraying on to the exhaust pipe ?
 
Coming in from the rear of the vehicle as it is burnt exhaust fumes (deadly!!) Most vehicles drag their exhaust fumes behind them so would suggest it is entering the van via garage, floor, window or ventilator. If it were leaking before silencer, you would hear it or the M.O.T. would have picked it up.
 
Ivory55 said:
A stab in the dark. Have you got a return pipe from the pump to the tank and it’s leaking/spraying on to the exhaust pipe ?
Click to expand...

No, but I have got an Eberspacher diesel heater so I may check your suggestion, thanks
 
rosalan said:
Coming in from the rear of the vehicle as it is burnt exhaust fumes (deadly!!) Most vehicles drag their exhaust fumes behind them so would suggest it is entering the van via garage, floor, window or ventilator. If it were leaking before silencer, you would hear it or the M.O.T. would have picked it up.
Click to expand...

I agree that the fumes are definately deadly but the smell doesn't come into the van, just when ticking over from my side exhaust pipe.
Its definatley not right.

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Check your eberspacher, they are a crude diesel burning devices, so generally smell far more than a refined Diesel engine such as that under the bonnet.
 
appydaze said:
No, but I have got an Eberspacher diesel heater so I may check your suggestion, thanks
Click to expand...

Is it smelling whilst your running the auxiliary heater?
Are you talking about the engine assist heater on the Merc?
 
Silver-Fox said:
Is it smelling whilst your running the auxiliary heater?
Are you talking about the engine assist heater on the Merc?
Click to expand...

No difference with aux. heater on or of. Don't know what engine assist heater is, sorry, but smell is definitely from exhaust even though l have been using premium diesel. Thanks
 
appydaze said:
No difference with aux. heater on or of. Don't know what engine assist heater is, sorry, but smell is definitely from exhaust even though l have been using premium diesel. Thanks
Click to expand...

Your Merc should have an additional Eberspacher heater that helps warm the engine in cold conditions.
It should be sited on the RHS of the engine low down as you look from the bonnet inwards.
Two heating pipes go to it and a multi plug/cables.
You'll know its running if you have one :)

Ohh yeah is it a PVC or A class

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Silver-Fox said:
Your Merc should have an additional Eberspacher heater that helps warm the engine in cold conditions.
It should be sited on the RHS of the engine low down as you look from the bonnet inwards.
Two heating pipes go to it and a multi plug/cables.
You'll know its running if you have one :)

Ohh yeah is it a PVC or A class
Click to expand...

2008 and 75k miles.
Started life as a disabled vehicle until converted.
Cant see any additional heaters, its a PVC.
 
The EBERSPÄCHER pre heater looks like this, and as Siver Fox has said can be viewed low down on the RH side when looking in bonnet.
 
Does your erbaspascher have a branch into the main exhaust system has it been turned on whilst having mot ?
 
I have an 08 transit.. it always smelt peculiar when ticking over..sort of sickly sweet smell...
I think it appears to be a feature of the modern common rail diesel engines as ive noticed it on a few other vehicles as well..
Andy
 
Don’t tend to get the terrible smells these days due to the CAT in the exhaust system. Not sure how you can check if your CAT is ok.

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Hi canopus, haven't got one of those. Eberspacher has its own exhaust jollyroger.
Not sure Landy about CAT or even if my van has one. Thanks
 
Has it always been that that or has the smell recently appeared? Does it smell when really warm after a run? Ours is a 1997 2.5 Cat engine in a Ducato with 70,000 miles, it’s very smelly and a bit smokey when started from cold but no smoke and not as smelly when warm, but you can still smell the sweet smell of diesel.
Maybe it is the premium diesel, your engine should be perfectly ok on lower grade stuff.
 
I think the answer is to drive faster and leave the smell behind. Haha
 
Thanks everyone for your answers but I have tried all those suggestions mentioned without success.
I guess have to bite the bullet and go to diesel specialist.
Thanks again. (y)
 
Recently had an exhaust smell in my VW T5, its was the manifold gasket, to get to the manifold gasket other things had to be removed including the turbo which meant replacing those gaskets as well, all this had to be actioned from the back of the engine, I won't talk about the cost it is too upsetting
 
Update on smelly exhaust.
Today I did a 5 mile run from Southend to Canvey Island and decided to take out the air filter for the journey to see if this made any difference, risky I know.
When I got there , to my surprise, no smell.
In conclusion, I need a new air filter.
Who would have thought this smell was caused so easily.
I will get a new filter and report back.
Thanks to all the funsters who replied.
So happy to be a part of this community.:cheers: (y)
 

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