I had this problem from day 1. It's because with the L405 they moved the pre-heater unit (which operates below 4 deg C) from close to the front wing to underneath the wiper motor unit near the bulkhead. Consequently when reversing in the drive or manoeuvring back and forward at low speed the exhaust fume (burning kerosene or diesel) drifts up through the bulkhead. The exhaust pipe sits in the transmission tunnel but is not long enough to carry the fumes away unless you are driving at a decent speed. I had the Regional Tech Mgr from JLR visit (for suspension knocking issues we all know about) and he confirmed the exhaust pipe is being extended but it takes some time for even such a simple adjustment to work through testing HSE and all the various steps in the "type approval" process worldwide. My friendly technician at at my local dealer tells me the mod will be available end May. MY15.5 SDV8 4.4 A/B FFRR Mariana/Ivory
Ten other FFRR since 2002 either traded in or taken back by JLR

Sounds like light at the end of the tunnel with this one hopefully.....
At least with it getting warmer the unit shouldn't cut in so much
I'll pop round to the dealership here in France & ask em when it can be sorted
Thanks for all the info. Off to look at an old defender today, ivory leather & two black labs dont go together!
Cheers

Service action with pipe mod was available last year as my previous post , mine was done and problem solved Far to many gone...

My car just out from complete FBH and exhaust replacement authorised bt LR. "Many customers been complaining" says dealer. "Hopefully this will fix it"!! Said the dealer. Vehicle off road for 2 days for this and ACE replacement. I will reserve judgement until I have had a few days of normal cold starts (10 deg C and below) FFRR user since 1974. RR No. 10 (2021MY P525 AB delivered Nov 2020) Gone. No 11. P550e AB MY2024 delivered June 2024

that will solve it Far to many gone...

French dealership says there are no updates for this..... Does anybody have the LR details number that I can quote at them, it'll be winter soon enough & that smell is gonna come back......................

take a look on Topix

https://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/vehicle/lookupForm Far to many gone...

Before I pay Tboner, is this the one I'm looking for?

LTB00590v6 - Heating ventilation & air conditioning odour

Cheers

Forget the last post Tboner, I paid & found them, The idea of paying for the documents from land rover over to convince them there's a problem is a bit daft though. May be ask for a refund.....................  Current:-
2014 Defender 90 2.2 TDCi
2014 FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography
1955 MGTF 1500

Past:-
From a series 2 to 2014 4.4 FFRR Auto. with lots in between

yup

you only needed the code which is the code off the JLR system anyway , yes i would deff get your money back from the dealer as you are only seeing what a half wit at your dealers has access to ! Far to many gone...

This is a known problem with L405 since they changed the siting of the pre-heater (which operates on cold days) from under one wing on L322 to under the bulkhead close to the transmission tunnel on L405. LR thought in their wisdom the forward motion of the vehicle would carry the pre-heater exhaust fumes down the underside of the vehicle and then dissipate. What they didn't realise (or test fully enough) was if you end up reversing or doing a three-point turn getting the vehicle out of the drive/parking spot the exhaust fumes don't travel down the vehicle underside but find their way immediately up through the bulkhead into the front cabin. Hence the smell of kerosene. I understand the solution they have come up with is to extend the length of the pre-heater exhaust pipe so that it takes fumes down the underside of the vehicle. I first complained of this last October and the solution is still being field trialled (or so I'm told). I'm still waiting for the fix. MY15.5 SDV8 4.4 A/B FFRR Mariana/Ivory
Ten other FFRR since 2002 either traded in or taken back by JLR

correct as above , field testing lol now that is funny ,

mine was fixed last year , and the service action notice came out last year Far to many gone...

LTB00556, if I could attach it I would! that'll be 15 quid please........................  Current:-
2014 Defender 90 2.2 TDCi
2014 FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography
1955 MGTF 1500

Past:-
From a series 2 to 2014 4.4 FFRR Auto. with lots in between

yes exactly came out last year

 Far to many gone...

My car had a complete new FBH and exhaust pipe replacement authorised by JLR and carried out 24/04/2014. Problem has recurred 3 times since, largely because ambient temperature has not been low enough to cause the FBH to kick in on cold starts. I fully expect to be back at the dealer in the late autumn as this defect of design has not been rectified yet. FFRR user since 1974. RR No. 10 (2021MY P525 AB delivered Nov 2020) Gone. No 11. P550e AB MY2024 delivered June 2024