S-Line 170BHP TDI with a seriously smelly exhaust and power fade after 4K revs

[Mark winch]

Hi All,

Just thought I would drop a line in to see if anyone can give me a steer as to what my current issue are with my S-Line SE 170BHP tdi B7.

Essentially on idle the car stinks from the exhaust, and I means seriously stinks. Its almost like a sulphur type smell that makes your eyes bleed if in a confined space, but has passed the MOT recently so has no emission issues. The car drives Ok, but I have noticed that when giving it some whelly its seems less powerful between 4k - 7k. The turbo appears to be operating Ok as it certainly kicks in but then fades at the top end (fuel??). the engine also isn't smooth on idle its a bit spluttery, but then another day it appears to back again!! Grrr, frustrating!!

I have no dash warning lights and around town it drives fine, apart from the smell when stationary. I had the injector recall a few years ago so would be seriously disappointed if they had failed again already.

There are also no error codes in the ECU so it must be a mechanical issue.

My previous B7 140BHP tdi used to start on the button as soon as the key was turned and this 170 model seems a bit sluggish starting. The combination of the above leads me to think it might be a fuel issue, injector seals, or glow plugs.

No major signs of smoke coming out the back, certainly nothing black, but a grey puff when I pull off, as I had someone follow me to check that out.

so.....

is it so smelly because its not burning fuel due to dodgy injectors / seals? (but how does this explain the slow start up?

thinking of taking it to a VAG specialist, but because I know there are no error codes im nervous of picking up a big diagnostic and parts bill.

I really don't want to sell it because when it was running well it's a dream to drive, any ideas??

[lynalldiscovery]

7K are you sure?

Sluggish start sounds to me like you say fuel issues, if engine is cranking fast enough then you need to check fuel tank pump(if it has one?) then filters then injector leak off test, leak off test kits under 30 quid on ebay.

Have you tried a google for 2.0 tdi injector recall?

[lynalldiscovery]

Hi All,

Just thought I would drop a line in to see if anyone can give me a steer as to what my current issue are with my S-Line SE 170BHP tdi B7.

Essentially on idle the car stinks from the exhaust, and I means seriously stinks. Its almost like a sulphur type smell that makes your eyes bleed if in a confined space, but has passed the MOT recently so has no emission issues. The car drives Ok, but I have noticed that when giving it some whelly its seems less powerful between 4k - 7k. The turbo appears to be operating Ok as it certainly kicks in but then fades at the top end (fuel??). the engine also isn't smooth on idle its a bit spluttery, but then another day it appears to back again!! Grrr, frustrating!!

I have no dash warning lights and around town it drives fine, apart from the smell when stationary. I had the injector recall a few years ago so would be seriously disappointed if they had failed again already.

There are also no error codes in the ECU so it must be a mechanical issue.

My previous B7 140BHP tdi used to start on the button as soon as the key was turned and this 170 model seems a bit sluggish starting. The combination of the above leads me to think it might be a fuel issue, injector seals, or glow plugs.

No major signs of smoke coming out the back, certainly nothing black, but a grey puff when I pull off, as I had someone follow me to check that out.

so.....

is it so smelly because its not burning fuel due to dodgy injectors / seals? (but how does this explain the slow start up?

thinking of taking it to a VAG specialist, but because I know there are no error codes im nervous of picking up a big diagnostic and parts bill.

I really don't want to sell it because when it was running well it's a dream to drive, any ideas??

7K are you sure?

Sluggish start sounds to me like you say fuel issues, if engine is cranking fast enough then you need to check fuel tank pump(if it has one?) then filters then injector leak off test, leak off test kits under 30 quid on ebay.

Have you tried a google for 2.0 tdi injector recall?

[Mark winch]

Apologies for the delay in update, and thank you for your comments.

I changed the fuel filter and the diesel inside the old filter was very dark, almost black. I'm led to believe that this might be down to the tandem pump, but certainly explains quite a bit.

getting this checked out on Tuesday next week so will update further.

my concern is if this may have damaged the injectors??

[markp306]

Don't you have a Rev limiter? Max horse power is produced at 4000 so it probably would tail off a bit....!

[SebRogers]

My 170pd can be a bit smelly at idle, too, though I usually don't notice it.

Sluggish to start? Well, it's not the most responsive but it always starts first turn of the key. Sluggish starting can be caused by all kinds of things including a tired battery.

Lumpy idle is something that the 2.0pd seems to do, by all accounts. Mine varies a bit from day to day but is worst when the engine is in warm-up phase (I'll be getting the torsion values looked at when the cam belt is done, which is due soon). They mostly don't idle very smoothly.

As for power fade above 4k revs... my experience is that the 170pd is much more willing than the other pd engines to be revved and mine pulls pretty strongly all the way to the red line. But since that's at around 4600rpm and peak power occurs before then, I'm not surprised that you notice a bit of fade...

[Mark winch]

Hi all thanks for your comments.

i have attached some images of what the colour of the diesel looked like when drained from the fuel filter! Not good!

the fault is with the seal in the tandem pump, oil was leaking into the fuel and this is what was causing the lumpy idle, horrendous smell, and just generally running very poor. As the fuel wasn't burning properly it affects a lot of areas.

The he fuel tank was also contaminated so had to have it drained and cleaned before refuelling.

also had the engine remapped, and it goes like a dream, with more power and increased fuel economy. feels like a new car, so just well chuffed to get it all running ok.

thanks for all the I put chaps.

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