Exhaust smell in cabin - R56 Cooper D

[Roj135]

Hi guys!

When my wife's Cooper D is idling there is a strong exhaust smell in the cabin. Not noticeable when driving. The smell can be reduced by using the recirculating air button.

The more I smell it I'm thinking it maybe hot oil which isn't good.

I had a quick look under the bonnet tonight in the rain when my wife got home. I noticed what I think is oil sitting next to number 3 injector. If it is it could possibly explain the smell.

Has anyone heard/experienced this before?

[Eddie_JCW]

That's a BMW Diesel thing I'm sure, my 3 done that if you idled for a while but I reckon it's normal and I didn't worry about it ;) but I don't think it was oil, was more of a hot diesel smell

[Roj135]

I had read that before about them but this is really unpleasant and hasn't done it before.

[EcosseGP]

Like Eddie says BMWs are very bad for the exhaust smell .. Could be that the DPF on the car requires changed .. How old / many miles is on the car ?

[badwolf340]

never had any smells in our Cooper D's,and would not think that's normal.as said what year and what mileage

[Roj135]

The car is on a 57 plate and has done around 70000 miles.

Would there be a dash light notifying me of the DPF needing replaced?

[badwolf340]

I would have thought that any faults/maintainence would have brought up a warning light

[EcosseGP]

Sometimes the DPF won't bring on a warning light .. Does the car just do short runs sometimes putting a cleaner through it and taking it for a thrash can clear it ...

[Roj135]

Ah, cool. I always thought any dpf fault would show a light.

I will put a cleaner through it and go from there. Any suggestions on what cleaner to use on these engines.

Yeah, mostly short journeys to and from work.

[Eddie_JCW]

Ah, cool. I always thought any dpf fault would show a light.

I will put a cleaner through it and go from there. Any suggestions on what cleaner to use on these engines.

Yeah, mostly short journeys to and from work.

Halfrauds sell Wynns DPF cleaner ;) I haven't tried it but it's worth a go. Maybe give it a good run too, my diesel was a lot worse on short journeys around town and it only started to smell if it was idling for more than 10 minutes I'm sure, but I know it wasn't instant which I'm sure would rule out any exhaust leak. Is it smoky on a cold start?

[Roj135]

It seems the problem has been solved.

I dropped the car off at my regular mechanic and pointed out the problems etc. he phoned me a few hours later and said it was fixed. It seems the clamp that holds in injector number 3 had come loose :argh:

That was the cause of the smell and all back to normal now.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, much appreciated.

[Gismo]

:thumbs up:

[MINI William]

Good news :yes nod:

[Craig]

Woo hoo !! :)


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[Eddie_JCW]

Great news :)

[EcosseGP]

Result and much cheapness fix too .. :)

[Roj135]

Cheers folks.

No charge as he's my "go to" mechanic for most things.