Next question for the team

I've noticed a slight whiff of diesel/fuel smell coming into the cabin at idle or when stopping at a junction, for instance. Doen't happen when driving at any speed, only when coming to a stop or stopped. Having looked around the internet is dotted with diesel cars with the same issue - some say it is new car plastic/fluids etc buring off, some say it's injector or exhaust manifold leaks. I spoke to the service people yesterday about it whilst having the puncture replaced, and the consensus was new car residues. Have any of you guys with new diesel cars noticed a similar smell, and what happened to rectify it?

Do you use the FBH? There were some issues with exhaust fumes from that. I get it when I reverse from a cold start up.

I'm not knowingly using the FBH but it operates automatically as part of the emissions efficiency I understand from elsewhere. There is a thread on here relating to older L405s, with a fix put out by LR in about 2015/6. Might be another trip to the dealer!

Some other threads:
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic31172.html
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic24543.html

Thanks EM - I've booked the car in on Friday quoting some of the useful information from the threads and other stuff around the internet. I'll be glad to get these teething issues sorted out so I can enjoy the car even more. I'm not going to get uppity about it, (well not yet! ) just get stuff sorted to my satisfaction.

Do you get the smell just first thing in the morning ie when stone cold? or through the day when the car may be already warm when starting?

From stone cold, I occasionally get a whiff - I fairly sure its from the FBH. Never smell it again.....apart from when an EGR pipe split buts thats a separate story.

It's hard to judge fully, I've only had the car 5 days and had a puncture for 2 of those! It appears when slowing down or stopping, and it was the first thing I noticed when I drove the car away from the dealer. Since most of my journeys so far have been relatively short it probably is the FBH but it still shouldn't come in to the cabin. However, I did have a couple of blasts down the motorway in the past couple of days, and the smell still appeared when I slowed down for junctions, turning into my house etc.

I've booked it in at the dealer on Friday to check for leaks, loose injectors, manifold tightness etc.

Make sure they do a smoke test to test for leaks.

Also, i dont think the occasional whiff of diesel fumes is abnormal. The fbh is often the reason. I know there was a technical bulletin on earlier 405s to route the fumes differently (or something).

Also remeber the cabin filter is designed to remove partiulates from the air coming into the car and wont remove all smells. Filters with Active charcoal do a more complete job.


All that said better off getting it checked out. You dont wanna mess with poisonous fumes

Car went in to the dealership first thing this morning. Injectors checked, exhaust and manifold all checked, fuel burning heater checked - and apparently there was a leak in the FBH. This has been rectified, and on the way home, and various Christmas shopping trips, through slow town traffic then Friday rush hour, and no smell! Result!

I'm glad I had it checked and fair play to the dealership (JCT 600 in Doncaster), they got the car in within two days, gave me an Evoque courtesy car (opinion? - F-Pace in a shell suit) and had it back to me within 4 hours. The service guy I dealt with even apologised that I had received a car with a problem that needs sorting out so soon after taking ownership, which is excellent customer relations.

Now it's time to get on with the serious business of enjoying our wonderful, brilliant, magnificent car! (...and adding a few little bits I've bought as enhancements to my personal ownership experience, a.k.a. a bit of bling!)

Thats nice to hear Nubbin , always refreshing to hear of excellent service - Hope you don't need to use them again ,but good to know some competent back up is there if you need it .

Enjoy the awesome car .

Nubbin, how would you describe the smell? Was it very dense/sweet almost like gas? (British version of gas, similar to that from a stove)

Would you also say that the car when idle gave off a lot of gas like smell when standing beside it?

Lastly, what year is your car?

Hi Kace - the smell is a vague whiff of diesel exhaust fumes just as you might get if the window is open or such like. It wasn't really strong, and only at odd times. It's a bit like the smell you get when refuelling a diesel car, but warm. My car is new - just over a week old.

I’ve noticed it too, really quite strong in the cab on a cold morning.

If the smell you are getting is very strong, then it needs looking at.

I will admit I am still ocasionally getting a slight whiff now and again, but I'm not sure if it isn't just natural pick up of external fumes into the air intake to the cabin - it certainly isn't a strong or persistent smell. Lasts only a second or two and isn't very frequent.

I haven't noticed it from a cold start either - is that possibly just a lot of fumes gathering around a stationary car that is using a lot of fuel to get going, and as a result some of it getting sucked into the cabin? Just speculating....

Invest in this. Changed the air quality substantially. I no longer get the start up blast of exhaust fumes on a cold start. Overall cabin air quality is very good now. Seems like the stock one supplied is just a bit of paper.

Mann Frecious Plus Cabin FilterProduct Code: 507820319

Available on euro car parts.