Very pungent emissions from Passat 2.0 tdi 170

[Jakelamotta]

Hello All, Recently I noticed that my car's emissions have become very smelly, a number of people have commented on it when the car is standing idle. The car is well serviced and has just passed the 77,000 mile mark. I have brought it to the garage twice to no avail. I would be grateful if anyone would be able to point me in the right direction. Thanks All:1zhelp:

[Guest 2]

it wouldn't be doing a dpf regen would it?

i know my a3 can smell until its done.

[Jakelamotta]

Thanks Chris, I'm afraid I am not well up on this. Does the dpf regeneration happen automatically?

[Guest 2]

yep this happens automatically, every 2-300 miles/km's

[Quatrelle]

What does it smell like?

[DSG4ME]

What does it smell like?

Money leaving a wallet.

[Jakelamotta]

It's quite difficult to describe, heavy exhaust fumes while the engine is idling.

[Guest 2]

Does it do it all the time or just on and off?

[Jakelamotta]

It seems to be constant at the moment. I spoke to another mechanic this morning and he is going to investigate, he thinks it may be a copper seal on an injector?

[Quatrelle]

The reason I asked, apart from testing the wit of a certain 'opinionated' person on here:beerchug:, was because mine has often given off a slightly 'bleachy' odour (next test!) but it's done this from new.

[DSG4ME]

I think I can tell you what it may be, yours is a 170 so it has the dpf, the dpf while re-generating stinks, if you are getting white smoke with it it could be turbo issue, so what to look for to settle your mind is a rev counter that is fluctuating between 700-900 rpm no smoke and this will be an active re-gen, hth.

p.s I would take it for a drive for 30 minutes and keep the revs above 2000rpm by using a lower gear than normal, it's possible your pot is 3/4 full and you are getting more smell than you usually do, and never turn it off while it's in a re-gen cycle let it finish and revs drop to a constant 700rpm, you may also want to check for a Urea bottle in the boot, if this is empty this could also be a cause.

[Jakelamotta]

So just to update anyone that may encounter the same problem, the injectors are being replaced under warranty by Volkswagen. I was not aware that there was a recall on this model due to injector fault. So thankfully it will not result in any money leaving my wallet. Thanks all.

[Guest 2]

Are VW Ireland doing this now I take it? I wasn't sure so didn't suggest it.

Hope it fixes the issue.

[Jakelamotta]

Thanks Chris, yes VW Ireland are looking after this under warranty. I don't know is this because I imported the car from England or not. The mechanic I spoke to was of the opinion that the heavy smelly exhaust fumes was a tell tale sign that this was the problem. I will update when I get the job done.

[Jakelamotta]

Just a quick update. The four injectors and loom were replaced under warranty on Monday. Car is driving extremely well. Power is way up along with better mpg showing. So overall I'm a happy camper:biglaugh: