Slight whiff of diesel

[Simpo Two]

On a couple of occasions I've caught a whiff of diesel around my car (S-Type 2.7D). Today it was evident in the cabin when I got into the car and fired up the heating system, but soon passed. Any idea what it might be and whether I need to worry?

[dan tournay]

If it's doing the same thing that mine is then it's fine if a little irritating.

As the diesel engine is so efficient it doesnt waste much fuel in producing excess heat so they even have an auxillary heater fitted to heat the cabin. It kicks in when the AC is set to auto. The exhaust is by the front nearside wheel and if you're stationary the climate control just sucks it all into the car and you get the diesel smell.

There's a bit about it on here http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=16&am...

[Simpo Two]

Ah right, that would explain it! Fuel consumption is normal and I couldn't see any leaks anywhere.

I recall that years ago BMW 7-Series had option to burn fuel catalytically to heat the cabin; didn't realise the Jaguar had a similar system.

Ta!

[diesel piston]

Suprised you`ve never noticed the cloud of smoke that comes from underneath the car when the auxilary heater fires up.

[Simpo Two]

'Cos by then I'm sitting in the car facing forwards!

[diesel piston]

Simpo Two said:

'Cos by then I'm sitting in the car facing forwards!

YEAH, the exhaust for the auxilary heater exits the car by the front wheel smart arse !

[RW774]

Check the oil level first, make sure it hasn`t risen.If it has by more than 5% say, get the oil changed and zip it down the motorway. When the regen starts for the DPF ( if you have one) it overfuels prior to the process starting, bore washes and thins down the engine oil. There is a convoluted air intake pipe which should be replaced as a matter of course, the thinned oil often sits in there and can cause 2 stroking if there is sufficient oil/ diesel contamination.Thinned oil residue can often smell externally if the intercoler is soaked with thinned oil, as it is in the pipe I mentioned.
The dpf regen will cease if the cycle is broken, by either braking or slowing down.On re start the vehicle will again over fuel so don`t leave it.If the level is okay you will have a leak at the High pressure rail.There is a massive cover on the underside trapping any visible leaks so you won`t see any, but don`t leave that either, especially if the leak is onto any part of the exhaust system.
Get it to your indy asap.
The issue I mentioned. If the air hose has any form of oil within it`s worth taking out the intercooler and flushing it out. I`ve had as much as half a litre of diesel contaminated oil.It is quite acceptable, a % of the contamination factor but needs attending to thoroughly.

[tr7v8]

Very unlikely to be anything other than the diesel heater kicking off below 5 deg C. Frightened the life out of me the first time mine did it as you get a big cloud of diesel smoke from the lhf wheel arch.

[Treforus]

Hey gents you may have solved a problem for me. I've had my S type for about a month and have noticed every now and then what seems to be diesel smoke coming from front nearside - is this the exhaust mentoined in these answers?

tref

[diesel piston]

Treforus said:

I've had my S type for about a month and have noticed every now and then what seems to be diesel smoke coming from front nearside - is this the exhaust mentoined in these answers?

tref

It is Tref

[Simpo Two]

Blimey, well I left my car ticking over outside while I went back to get something and when I returned about two minutes later there were clouds of grey smoke pouring out of the front left wheelarch and pretty much everywhere - looked like the car was on fire! Anyway, I had to get to get somewhere urgently so I set off - clouds of smoke behind me for the first half mile, wondered if a turbo had blown. Debated going back to get the Griff and then decided what to grab if flames appeared and I had to bail... However, the car seemed to work as usual and all the dials and lights seemed happy so I kept going. After a mile or so the smoke stopped and there were no further problems. On the return journey, a strong smell of fumes coming through the airvents until the car warmed up, then it went away.

Can anything be done about this?

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 24th December 18:43

[tr7v8]

Nope, great witterings on one of the Jag forums from someone who was allergic to diesel fumes & wanted to reject his S because of it. TBH I don't notice it any more but then mine is always on Shell V-Power which maybe smokes less? Also I get straight in & drive off which may be a part of it.

[Simpo Two]

tr7v8 said:

Nope, great witterings on one of the Jag forums from someone who was allergic to diesel fumes & wanted to reject his S because of it.

I did wonder about carbon monoxide levels - the smell in the cabin can get quite strong and sometimes I have to open a window. Is there no factory retrofit deflector etc?

If this thing is just to heat the cabin it's not very good - it takes quite a while for any heat to come through and when it does it almost kills me! Maybe just turn the AC off in cold weather?

[tr7v8]

Just put it on recirc! Mine is nothing like this bad, not sure if the thing can be adjusted. I think it trips in at around freezing up to 3-5 Deg C but I agree it doesn't heat the engine up very much. The V6 lump is so efficient it takes ages for the heater to really get going. Both of mine have been like this.

[Simpo Two]

Good idea, thanks!

[diesel piston]

Simpo Two said:

Blimey, well I left my car ticking over outside while I went back to get something and when I returned about two minutes later there were clouds of grey smoke

You managed to see it after all then ?

Simpo Two said:

'Cos by then I'm sitting in the car facing forwards!

[mad4amanda]

It was one of the reasons I got rid of my s type after 18 months from new, that and the engine management ( supplied by peugeot according to my dealer ) kept going into limp mode all the time and jaguar could not resolve. Even after having the car for 2 weeks. Probably the most dissappointed I have ever been with a car in terms of expectation and looks spec verses reality .

[diesel piston]

mad4amanda said:

the engine management ( supplied by peugeot according to my dealer ) kept going into limp mode all the time and jaguar could not resolve. Even after having the car for 2 weeks.

Being able to plug into the dealers diagnostic computor was supposed to be able to solve glitches and errors easily but theres just that many sensors etc which can be faulty or give the ecu the wrong info on modern cars, it normally ends up being a process of elimination, all of which take time.
The more elusive the problem the longer it will take to cure, irrespective of the make of vehicle.

Edited by diesel piston on Monday 27th December 17:38

[Simpo Two]

I've learned that most warning lights are best ignored - eventually they get bored and go away.

My idea of a warning light is a big orange glow coming from under the bonnet!

[mad4amanda]

diesel piston said:

mad4amanda said:

the engine management ( supplied by peugeot according to my dealer ) kept going into limp mode all the time and jaguar could not resolve. Even after having the car for 2 weeks.

Being able to plug into the dealers diagnostic computor was supposed to be able to solve glitches and errors easily but theres just that many sensors etc which can be faulty or give the ecu the wrong info on modern cars, it normally ends up being a process of elimination, all of which take time.
The more elusive the problem the longer it will take to cure, irrespective of the make of vehicle.

Edited by diesel piston on Monday 27th December 17:38

Apparently mine gave unlisted fault codes which they had never seen before, the factory sent 2 techs down and they couldnt sort it . They never did cure it I traded it in it went to auction the new buyer contacted me and I wished him the very best of british!