Diesel smell in car

[Kcajseivad]

Hi Guys,

I have a 60 plate Vauxhall Astra J that has done around 91,000 miles.

Driving home from work yesterday I noticed a strong diesel smell emulating into the cabin. So much was that smell that I had to drive home with my windows open to let some fresh air in.

When home I left the engine running and lifted the bonnet to take a look. There is a very loud clicking/tapping sound coming from around the engine which does not sound normal - I can hear it when I am in the car but it is much more severe when you are outside of the car with the engine running.

I though the issue could be to do with the oil which was quite low so I topped up two litres worth of oil last night. However I gave the car a run to work this morning but it doesn’t seem to have made a difference as the smell and sound still persist.

Does anyone know what this could be? And possibly how a mechanical novice like me may be able to diagnose the issue?

Thanks guys!

[996TT02]

Sounds like injector leaking, probably one of the metal pipe unions either at the pump or at the injector end needs tightening. Would make a hell of a clatter and also obviously you can smell the diesel.

[996TT02]

Must add, needs to be tightened probably by someone who knows what they are doing, may or may not need a second spanner to counter the torque.

[Kcajseivad]

Brilliant thank you for your help! Looks like a trip to the garage

[Krikkit]

Could also be the injector fire seal - common problems on Mercedes, aka "Black Death"...

[smithyithy]

Is the smell more of diesel fuel or gases?

I had a diesel Yaris as a medium-term hire car about this time last year, a 65-plate I think. It was way overdue a service and every time I tried to get it done I was fobbed off..

Anyway after a while I noticed an increasing smell of diesel fumes from inside the car, and an increasingly loud tapping sound on cold idle.

I had the AA out to check it and they confirmed (whether or not this was due to lack of servicing I don't know) that the EGR valve had failed, which had in turn caused the DPF to clog up..

[Kcajseivad]

Hi Smithy,

It is a diesel smell which becomes stronger the longer the car is in use.

Ah okay, that is something else for me to consider, thank you!