Diesel Stink

[John Disdale]

When I park my Golf in the garage I am aware of a nasty diesel stink. Perhaps I have a sensitive nose, but are other diesel owners aware of this ?

I might add that I have recently been using Shell’s “Pura” diesel which has a lot less sulphur content, and although the situation might have improved a little I still find the stink offputting. For the record I drive into the garage bonnet first, so its not as though the exhaust is filling the garage with fumes.

Regards
John Disdale

[maersk]

No :)

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[DaveS]

No, not with my A6

Is this a smell when you return to the car, or after you get out ?

[John Disdale]

The smell is when I park, and get out the car.If no one else experiences such a problem, then the next question has to be what sort of technical problem could contribute towards this ?

[chivers]

Our TDI (not a PDI engine) did not smell, and our A2 TDI does not smell either.

Assuming you have not overfilled your tank, my guess is that your Golf has a tiny fuel leak somewhere. Or else Mrs. JD has changed her perfume.

Chivers ':)'
'02 A2 1.4TDi SE

[runboy]

Ah, the new Hugo Boss perfume for women!

Steve - 2003 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior

[John Disdale]

For sure the difference in stink when re-fuelling the car with Shell “Pura” is significantly better than when using plain diesel, but what I don’t understand is that the smell in the garage seems to me to be far more lethal than when adding “Pura” to the car.

There are no signs of oil on the garage floor, and only yesterday I photographed the engine bay which was mint. Could I have a fault or failure with the exhaust system ?

As to the poor wife, well she is struggling to accept that I only got a sunroof so that you could stand up and not wear out the leather seats.

Regards
John Disdale

[martinw]

Is it the smell of fuel, or diesel exhaust fumes?

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[paulj]

John,

What's this Shell Pura Diesel ? I'm using Tesco's City stuff which doesn't smell when parked.

My friend has a Golf GT-TDI 150 and thats smell free.

Time to check out that local dealer....

2001 1.4 TDI SE, Crystal Blue, Open Sky, Climate Control, El.Rear Windows, H&R -2" suspension, 17" five spoke Canonica alloys, Alpine CD/MP3 & Genesis Components & Amps, Focal Sub all custom fitted.

[John Disdale]

I visited the dealer this morning, but they could not find anything wrong. I was asked if the smell was fuel or exhaust fumes, but admitted I was no expert in describing the stink. It was said that there could be a case the sprayed wax treatment to the underside of the car could have gone onto the exhaust system, although it was not defined if this in itself creates a diesel type smell. Meanwhile I listened to a mechanic say that he has never liked diesel cars because they all smell. Anyway I have been asked to drive another 300 miles to see if the problem still exists, and if it does they will look again.

Regarding “Pura” diesel I forget the exact facts and specifications, but as from around the year 2004 EU law will make it illegal to use plain low sulphur diesel, and all fuels will have to be very similar to “Pura” – which I might add was development with the new legislation in mind. Main benefits of “Pura” are that it contains something like 80% less sulphur, and consequently is better for the environment. It is said to be far less offensive in the stink created in filling up the car, however when it comes to the engine “Pura” is said to be brilliant in not coking up the pistons/head, whilst also offering much better combustion. Such details I did once find on a Shell internet site – so have a search if you fancy it.

Talking of fuel I was pleased that 2 days ago on a 100 odd mile return trip (some town, mostly motorway) I averaged nearly 58mpg (with AC on, plus one passenger and the dog). I thought this was terrific for a new 1.9 litre 130bhp engine with a lot of poke. Of course it’s never likely to equal an A2 TDI on consumption, but I do find it impressive – especially when I know that over the same journey my A2 petrol model would have only made around 38mpg at best.

Regards
John Disdale

[royfox]

JD,
I've not noticed any smell from my Golf...
But I will now check each time and advise if I can smell anything.
B.T.W I also use Shell Pura....
JD.
I purchased another Golf today for a sales rep that just joined. I'm a little upset as Frankie’s has cruise control, three headrests at the rear, rain sensors and traction control. All for the same cost of mine that was purchased 6 weeks ago...dare I swap them around????????

[martinw]

Would anyone notice? I'd swap if I had the chance!

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[STEVO]

No smell from mine either Jd (garaged nightly)
Regards Stevo

[John Disdale]

Well, with 2 Golf owners staying stink free it really does appear as though I have a problem in spite of the dealer thinking otherwise. I think I will telephone VW UK to ascertain under what technical circumstances a stink could exist. I shall also have a look around in Tesco’s to see if they sell a Stinkometer – hopefully one that goes up to Far-T Level 6.

I might add I have been burning a bit of engine oil (500cc over 500 miles), however I have not been at all concerned about this when I recall so many past A2 TDI owners who suffered the same in the very early stages, to then be followed up with zero oil consumption. Whether it’s at all possible that I can smell the engine oil being burnt off I don’t know. Is that possible ?

Fancy Roy buying a new Golf PD130 for his Sales Rep. Heavens until he could prove capable of earning his way I would have given him a 1980 Ford Fiesta, a spare set of wiper blades, and a packet of tea bags if he fancied stopping for lunch whilst on the road.

In terms of Roy swapping cars for the higher spec model, I’m not so sure that the gain would be worth very much. Facilities like auto rain sensors sound good, but without any risks to circuit failure when it rains by brain sends a little message to my fingertips which then flick the wipers on. I agree this option could save “finger fatigue” but physical exercise can be healthy. As to cruise control how often can you cruise along at a sustained speed these days, when half the time its brake, accelerator, brake. Regarding traction control this is standard on all Golf PD130’s so that should not be an influential factor.

If I had any concerns it might be in giving a car to a Sales Rep who believed he could cruise around because he had cruise control. This could convey the wrong message when the Sales Rep’s task should be to floor the gas pedal at all times, and thus visit as many clients in a day to obtain their orders.

Regards
John Disdale

[Rob Earl]

Re: JD's last comments,

We will very shortly be disposing of an old Fiesta as that is what the A2 will be replacing. If any company bosses are after a budget company car for new employees let me know as my current list of options are
a) try and sell it in Autotrader even though it has more dents in it than a very denty thing (none of which are our fault - I blame the sociopaths leaving London @ 5pm)
b) take it down the local scrap merchant for him to suck air in over his top lip then offer us a fiver
c) a gallon of petrol & a box of matches,
d) Beachy Head - make a nice day out is suppose.


Almost a 1.4SE in Merlot Red, Biege interior, 16" 5 spoke alloys, DIS, Open Sky, Elec rear windows.

[John Disdale]

Rob - Clearly you lack any form of optimism. A good Sales Rep could probably get another 100,000 miles out of your Fiesta, and then sell it on as a good runner.

[royfox]

JD,
I went to my dealer yesterday and asked for some long life oil.
Well what a performance.....
Apparently my Golf is set up for VSI BUT and it's a big but. Nobody can say hand on heart that this is the case.
Options...
Drain the oil and fill back up with long life....
Cost, approximately £80......

On the other hand I asked for 1 litre of oil. The chap asked how many miles I'd done, I advised a little over 1400; he was VERY surprised to think I needed to top up so quickly. He advised to run it until the oil warning light appears then stick some in.
It really does make me wonder in these dealers really do know what they are talking about. Surely it's better not to let the warning light come on?????
Anyway I left without purchasing the said oil or indeed booking the car in for an oil change.
I'll try a different dealer tomorrow.

[steering]

John, you seem to be a special man. First you argued your A2 to death, now you're starting to do the same with your new Golf. Don't you agree that this is a bit pathological to do so? Not that I am bored, but you could do harm to yourself.

[John Disdale]

Steering,

Sounds to me that your easily bored to make such a comment, but please don’t waste your professional psychiatric abilities in worrying about me. Tesco’s still allow me to play in their carpark, so I’m not as dangerous as you may think.

Clearly you are trying to convey a message of some sort in spite of you struggling for the right words, so forgetting your medical expertise can you in simply language tell me what you might have done if you had spent £18,000 on a car and it had problematic paintwork. Would you have shared the story on this sociable forum, or would you only have told your pet goldfish.

Regards
John Disdale

[John Disdale]

Roy,

Although Audi have been into using “Longlife” oil and variable servicing intervals for at least 20 months it is all very new to VW dealers, and so I guess this accounts for the daft confusion.

I cannot believe that anyone in their right senses would recommend to anyone to drive for over 1,400 miles without checking the oil, especially when I thought everyone appreciated that VAG diesel engines burnt quite a bit in the early days. Indeed my dealer acknowledged this fact.

More importantly (be it Audi or VW) all owner handbooks recommend that the sump level is checked (a) at the start of a long journey, or (b) when re-filling with fuel (which at best might mean 600 miles). What case then can an employee at a dealership have in suggesting that the manufacturers recommendations are thrown out of the window ? If you can tell me this I will go to bed a wiser man.

Perhaps VW use different sump sensors than Audi (although I doubt it), but lets not forget on this forum there have been 2 cases where ultra low & dangerous levels failed to activate the warning light – so what nutter would opt to put all their faith in such a device.

Regards
John Disdale

[royfox]

JD.
My thoughts exactly....
I'm off to get me-self some of that gold liquid.......

I'm doing a journey of some 600 miles today so I think I'll do this first thing.............

[STEVO]

HI Jd and Royfox,
Don,t know if it is any help but Roy mine is an import and i think somewhere way back down the line you said yours was.My service interval is 10,000 miles i topped it up at 3500miles with 400mls of vw,seat,skoda,audi, specification 50000,50500,505001 ACEA A3-96/B3-96 SAE5W-40 API SJ/CF which i purchased from my local VW dealer when i asked at service reception desk what sort of oil i needed his only concern was was it the new pd engine .I stated it was and he said that the oil above was for it . I have since put in another 300mls yesterday at 5750 miles and the way things are going the rest of the bottle will take me to my first service.I appreciate my car is only 100bhp and yours are 130bhp but sure it is the same engine just a different chip so we can,t be that far out.
Jd going back to the topic i can,t for the life of me understand what that smell is even when i bought mine with 28 miles on it i have had no smell not even of wax burning off exhaust or manifold etc.
As regards Steering it looks to me he has either too much money or he is in vw/audi management. When i buy something i expect it to be what the manufacturer says and if it is not i want to know the reason why. I also want it repaired straight away not Friday fortnight(usually the only available slot ).
Regards Stevo
P.S Guys what do think of the wipers already have had mine replaced but after about 1500miles they leave fine lines accross the screen.

[John Disdale]

Stevo,

My car has not been out in the rain as yet, so I cannot comment on the wipers. With the A2 I did learn that using a Tesco type window cleaner 3 times a week made a good improvement, and I always did this even after washing the car. In fact I reckon these standard wash/wax products that we all probably use do seem to be bad news on glass.

Regarding the stink, today I opened the hatch/boot with the engine running and thought the exhaust fumes to be very “heady” – so it looks as though my nose is pointing towards exhausts fumes as opposed to diesel fuel smells. Perhaps I should try to arrange an emission test to see if it’s within the manufacturers specifications.

For your info I am very much enjoying driving the car, and although I am still running in, this evening I was impressed how when climbing up a long hill at 80mph I was able to promptly accelerate to 100mph without changing gear.

Regards
John Disdale

[Rob Earl]

You naughty boy JD. That possibly sounds like Wrotham Hill to me - if so beware as I've been stopped on there . My speed was only 99.75mph though. I've got the ticket framed to show my good fortune.

Almost a 1.4SE in Merlot Red, Biege interior, 16" 5 spoke alloys, DIS, Open Sky, Elec rear windows.

[royfox]

Stevo.
Got to say that the wipers do annoy me a little. They are at best acceptable at worst, a pain. I'm going to try a new set of the hi grade wipers that Halfords supply to see if that helps. I did put rainx on my windscreen which I fear didn't help matters.

JD.
I've done around 400 miles today and manged to get an overall figure of 52.5MPG. At the speeds i was doing, I'm impressed.....

[John Disdale]

Rob - If I ever get a ticket for 99.75mph would you like to purchase it from me so that you have a pair ?

[martinw]

John -

I drove a Golf TDI 100 yesterday - very impressed with the performance and the ride. I also drove a 1.6 FSi A2, and wasn't that impressed. It went better than my 1.4, but didn;t feel as quick as the 1.4TDi - must be the torque.
Hope you carry on enjoying the Golf, even though you have had a few teething problems.

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[maersk]

Are we talking A2 wiper here or have we been hi jacked by the southern softies Golf Club?
Whose wipers?
rainx on a screen does not do anyone any favours.
JD. sell the Golf and get a real car. Do you think Audi VW are still monitoring you webcasts?
Diesel stink is similar to the most pleasant of odours callled 'Castrol R' an ancient vegetable based creation I used to us in my racing two strokes and is yet to be bettered as a lubricant of that type.
Happy new Golf, but beware the 'its not right' syndrome. Get it as spec by all means but ...........
Is there a Golf Forum? can I watch?:D[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

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[maersk]

Goldfish have excellent brains. However their capcity for memory is limited. research has proved that by the time he has swam around his bowl he has forgotten he has been there. A politician then, a Blinkett of the fish world with no need for golf clubs and an expense account.
jasper enjoys goldfish..........especially fresh from the adjacent pond. I belive he calls them Koi or crap, or an anagram of such names.
Do Tesco sell golf clubs?

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[John Disdale]

Martin,

Stevo has the Golf PD100 bhp, and we might find him contributing in terms of making a comparison with his past petrol A2. Technically speaking the PD100 should have felt slower than the FSI, and perhaps a tad quicker than an A2 TDI, however I can but only presume (following several reports) that because the FSI appears to require being driven hard to get the best results/speed it could be that a lack of an aggressive spirit on the drivers part results in the poor impression.

I once said that comparing any two cars is not an easy task, and as I am now experiencing a TDI (once its rolling) has so much get up and go in the low/mid rev range, that by default it makes it appear more powerful in comparison to a petrol engine. I suppose a lot of it is in the mind, and we are all turned on by different things, but for some of us I guess we feel at out happiest if the car zaps down the open road in an effortless style. Diesel’s seem good for this.

Yes I am certainly enjoying my Golf, and this afternoon I took the dog down for a run along the beach at Ramsgate (about 80 mile return), and I averaged my best fuel consumption to date at 60mpg. This is only 2mpg away from the manufacturers specified figure, so at least VW do not appear to be tricking anyone. The ride overall is far superior to the A2 in terms of quietness, comfort, and ironing out bumps, but I do still miss sitting up that bit more higher. That said in the wind it is as steady as a rock – so it’s all swings and roundabouts.

I never had the DIS on my A2, so its all a good laugh that I drive along constantly telling my wife what the fuel consumption figure is reading. Hopefully I will not become too obsessed with it, because I will end up missing out on enjoying the super performance of the car – and it does go by any standards.

Regards
John Disdale

[John Disdale]

Maersk,

I am too old and skint to buy a real car, but I’ve had my days, and don’t mind now being regarded as the senile old git crawling down the road in his stinky diesel Golf. Anyway it’s all partly your fault – what with you talking about pigeons, ferrets, and promoting diesel engines.

Yes, I remember Castrol R (and the Ace Café) – but what a stink just to go down the road at a snails pace of 100mph.

Regarding whether Audi UK still visit this forum I should imagine so, and have always believed that it was in their benefit to do so. Mind you I would not want to swear to their reading abilities – but then again we do sometimes have links to photographs.

To answer your question, I don’t believe Tesco’s sell Golf clubs, but they do nice Golf trolleys that double up as large chip fryers.

Regards
John Disdale

[jonmerrick]

John

Glad to hear that things are going well with your new car - despite this minor problem with the exhaust fumes.

It'll wear off (God, I have suddenly realised I'm fully qualified to be car dealer!)

Have you/are you going to change the oil?

Re the mileage, I think you will get just as good figures as an A2 TDI (running on anything other than crude Slovenian oleum). My A4 1.9TDI returned very comparable figures with my A2. Only in the urban cycle is there any real improvement in the A2's mileage.

Happy motoring.

Jon

[John Disdale]

Jon,

What makes you ask if I am going to change the oil. Presumably you mean soon, but I thought the days of changing oil after “running in” had long gone. Can you confirm ?

Regards
John Disdale

[John Disdale]

Jon,

Do you have some experiences yourself to say that the stink will wear off ? I am more than happy to accept your expert opinion providing you can confirm that you have been to Halfords more than once.

As it is I am just setting off for my ancestral home at Hever Castle, and I shall be keeping a close eye on anyone holding their nose.

Regards
John Disdale

[maersk]

Au contaire SOG. Original spec oils MUST NOT be changed soon after running in. *k seems to be the minimum spec if i am not mistaken.

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[maersk]

:D 8, Eight, [V][8D]

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[John Disdale]

Maersk,

So what is the technical theory in terms of why it is naughty to carry out an oil change in the early days ?

Regards
John Disdale

[jonmerrick]

John

Just realised that it was Roy who was considering oil change rather than your good self!

I am a bit mystified as to why one should not change the oil - apart from the expense of course.

This is nothing to do with the diesel stink of course! You have not indicated any excessive exhaust smoke. I also presume that the smell is outside the car only.

I suspect that it is just just shiny new labels "wearing in" or if it is a pure diesely smell rather than an acrid burning smell, you have just filled the tank to the brim in your attempts to impress your better half with comments like "Look Mrs D - 700 miles on one tank!"

See how the Hever trip goes and you have had a chance to get some miles in. As I said I am sure that the smell will wear off.

I am still waiting for Audi to head-hunt me to be their top technical man!

Best wishes

Jon

[maersk]

Specific additives to ease bedding in of components. Aircraft industry have used them for years.
Ancient mariners SOG used 'straight' as opposed to multigrade oil in new or reconditioned engines. The modern equivalent is to use a high grade synthetic with additives (in addition to regular blends)m to aid the process.
You won't get it at Tesco!

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[jonmerrick]

JD

Since you have been to your ancestral home and now returned - with no more news on the diesel stink, would it be presumptuous of me to assume that my advice was indeed spot-on!?

You would never believe that I have absolutley no engineering qualifications whatsoever.

I guess it is just a knack I have. Just glad to have been of help.

Jon

[John Disdale]

Jon,

The visit to my ancestral castle was not all joy, when I established that my Uncle Henry had died a few years back. He had left me a set of wheels in his will, but alas the spokes have woodworm.

Yes, once again we can all witness your engineering expertise when it comes to diagnosing problems with my car. The fact that you are 100% wrong I suppose might sound petty, but credit where its due this shows that you could be a threat towards heading up the Audi UK technical team.

I first reported the diesel stink when I had 200 miles on the clock, however after 1,200 nothing has changed. Several times I have also noticed that if I pull up in say a carpark, switch off the engine and open the window, then I am suddenly hit by an acrid stink. The offices of VW UK are worse than Audi UK when apparently one minute they can let me speak to an individual with design knowledge of the engine, and several days later no such person exists. Anyway the car is due for another more detailed inspection by the dealer come Monday, but according to another diesel Golf owner a smell does exist – yet my dealer has never said it’s normal.

The saga continues.

Regards
Dirty Diesel Disdale

[jonmerrick]

JD

You certainly know how to let a technical boffin down lightly! Your comments will not look good on my CV!

In view of the length of time this problem has persisted I have ruled out smouldering cigarette in the ashtray as the cause of the problems.

Accurate diagnosis over the internet requires accurate data input. The description "acrid" for example you use I would normally attribute to electrical problems, or friction burning (clutch or brakes).

However, if we are agreed it is definitely a diesel smell, and we are agreed that you have not overfilled the tank, then either there is a leak (tank or pipe) or there is a fault in the engine management system. I am 100% sure of this!

I wonder if I have set my sights of being the top Audi technical man too low. Maybe the top man for the whole of the VAG group would be more appropriate. Then you could be safe in the knowledge that not only A2 forum members but also Golf drivers the world over were getting the benefits of my expertise.

Hope the problem is sorted soon.

Jon

[martinw]

I'm impressed with your local scarp dealer - they always wnat me to pay THEM to take a car:)

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[martinw]

sorry, I'll spell that again - scrap dealer

MartinW - Dolphin Grey 1.4SE

[John Disdale]

My story still does not have an end, but the dealer has examined the car, and hooked it up to the computer and apparently everything looks fine. The next step is for the dealer to visit my house to sniff the knockout smell himself.

The fumes stink is certainly disappointing, but on a bright note I managed today to record 64mpg over a 30 mile motorway trip. Speeds were however only between 65 to 70mph (plus a few short bursts), and probably not having any passengers helped a bit. Strangely after about 20 miles I was reading 67mpg on the computer, but I just could not retain it for more than a couple of miles. As it was I left the computer running for the return trip, and with a few nice 110mph bursts plus some 80mph cruising it knocked the total journey average down to 56mpg – which I still thought was brilliant under the circumstances. For sure I had some fun on a gallon of dirty diesel.

Regards
John Disdale

[maersk]

[}:)] Told you so months ago SOG! [}:)]

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