First up, thanks to all the contributors on this forum, such a wealth of knowledge and experience, very much appreciated!.

Just picked up a 2013 SDV8 AB, overall very happy with it but noticed pretty pungent fumes in the cabin when in traffic or going slowly. It’s most apparent when arriving home as I have a tight drive that faces upwards = going slowly and under load, cabin is immediately inundated with sickly diesel fumes. Nothing at all when cold and doesn’t seem to be ambient temperature related. I fitted a Mann FP cabin filter with no change in results. Recirc button also doesn’t affect it and it happens regardless of A/C or fan being on.

I’ve done some searching and have read a handful of threads which mention a couple of things I’ve ticked off as ‘likely not’:

- FBH - doesn’t happen when cold, which I believe is a symptom of the FBH exhaust issue.
- Hose leak - doesn’t seem down on power, no smoke when hot or cold and no codes/error lights. Averaging 35-37 mpg over the past 400 miles which seems in line with expectations.

As I’ve only just bought it, it’s going back to the dealer tomorrow to have it looked at (along with an oil leak somewhere on the near side that’s making its way to the front side step bracket and dripping onto the drive and an odd hissing noise it’s making when turning right under load)

Anyone experienced anything similar? Thanks in advance.

Have you checked the intercooler in the `V` check for oil in the expansion cooling tank? It`s a known fault?

It’s the vent pipe for fbh, it vents below the gear shifter, very common . Mine is the same , very bad smell when it’s cold and no wind to blow it away .

Thanks both - appreciate the replies.

Mr Tee - opposite of the usual FBH symptoms, it’s happening when warm for me. Had a variety of ambient temps over the past week and same result = fine when engine cold but pungent when warmed up. Especially on the back of a ‘run’ i.e. in traffic after leaving motorway.

Tinman - interesting, will check tomorrow. I had a sift through the history file, it was in last March for an oil leak from turbo feed pipe and observed oil in the coolant so may well be related. Apparently the oil cooler to EGR was leaking which was causing coolant contamination. According to the file, the coolant rail was replaced as it was observed to be brittle.

Will report back with dealer’s findings.

My money is on the oil cooler

are you sure it is diesel fumes and not burning oil fumes?
if it is burning oil then oil cooler is to blame as this was my experience on my TDV8.
there are some posts on here about the oil seals that fail too all to do with the oil cooler. 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

There are a couple of O rings that get brittle on the turbo feed pipes that can allow oil to leak out onto the bell housing.

Then there's the oil cooler itself leaking into the Vee where it sits and gets hot.

Best to check both and they're in the same vicinity on top of the engine.

Mike

I agree, either oil cooler or o rings. Have a look in the V to see if you can see oil. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Thanks very much all - took her into the garage this morning so will see what they come back with. Such a wealth of knowledge on here, want to reiterate thanks for suggestions so far.

To comment on the actual smell - could well be oil, it’s a sort of sticky almost kerosine-y smell which I’d put down to diesel but thinking about it is far more likely to be burning oil.

The car’s being looked at tomorrow so will update with their findings. As for the hissing/vibration noise under load, pretty sure that is the ARB pipes buzzing on a bit of the side steps when turning rights, that’s being diagnosed too.

Not sure on the protocol of naming garages on here but the dealer (non LR but main brand) has been great on after-sales service.

Got this done last week, 600Euro job at the main dealer. It was hot oil smell, tried changing cabin filter at first too.

Whole bunch of gaskets and o-rings needed changing, not the oil cooler itself

edit: All these were changed -

LR113004
LR022903
LR023100
LR022772
LR022777
LR023022
LR022775
LR023021
LR124504
LR023145

Coolant and oil needed changing too

Closing the loop on this one - smell was a fractured ARB header tank (the one that's a dark colour on the nearside front of the engine bay, makes it impossible to see fluid volume...) which was leaking fluid onto the manifold when under pressure.

Dealer fitted new tank and smell has gone and hissing/rattling has also been fixed by insulating the pipes next to deployable steps.

Thanks all for the input

Hi ThomsonAJ,
I've got the exact same problem with my TDV6. Smell of diesel or exhaust fumes inside cabin when it's warm outside so its not the FBH.

What is the ARB Header Tank that that you had replaced? I've been trying to think what ARB stands for and can't 😀.

Cheers

JakeyKev,

The OP is referring to the reservoir for the dynamic response system (active anti roll bars)

It contains the hydraulic fluid utilised by the system.

As you have a V6 you do not have this system as it was only fitted to SDV8 and supercharged models.

Hope this helps!

Ah cool, thanks MarianaWestminster.

I'll crack the bonnet open this weekend and have a poke around see if I can spot any leaks.

Cheers