Volkswagen Golf acrid exhaust smell, failure to start
Variant: 170hp GTI TDI
Model Year: 2007
Categories:
Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
I aquired this car last April there was a problem with really smelly exhaust fumes they really caught the back of the throat and made my eyes stream the fumes were very acrid.
In late November the car failed to start for my wife while she was out at a friends the AA was called and when he attempted to start it naturally it started at the first attempt
my wife felt a bit sheepish as it would not start for her.
A few days later I went to start it first thing on a Monday morning it turned over fast enough but refused to start although it seemed to be firing on 1 cylinder it would not run.
The AA was called he could not start it not even with a spray starter, he plugged his diagnostic machine in it did not find any error codes.
The car was transported to a garage that dealt only with VW Skoda Seat they managed to get it running though only through trial and error of fitting different parts the problem of the eshaust fumes remained.
The car is now with another garage specialising in VW and they dont seem able to get to the cause of the problem either he told me that when he plugged his vw diagnostic machine in it was showing the injectors were injecting slowly, he has had it for 3 weeks now and does not seem able to get to the cause of the problem sometimes it starts and runs ok other time he feels it is running lumpy, there is obviously a problem has anyone else ever encountered anything similar.
The car has 140000 miles up now performance when its running is good with excellent 55/56 MPG
In late November the car failed to start for my wife while she was out at a friends the AA was called and when he attempted to start it naturally it started at the first attempt
my wife felt a bit sheepish as it would not start for her.
A few days later I went to start it first thing on a Monday morning it turned over fast enough but refused to start although it seemed to be firing on 1 cylinder it would not run.
The AA was called he could not start it not even with a spray starter, he plugged his diagnostic machine in it did not find any error codes.
The car was transported to a garage that dealt only with VW Skoda Seat they managed to get it running though only through trial and error of fitting different parts the problem of the eshaust fumes remained.
The car is now with another garage specialising in VW and they dont seem able to get to the cause of the problem either he told me that when he plugged his vw diagnostic machine in it was showing the injectors were injecting slowly, he has had it for 3 weeks now and does not seem able to get to the cause of the problem sometimes it starts and runs ok other time he feels it is running lumpy, there is obviously a problem has anyone else ever encountered anything similar.
The car has 140000 miles up now performance when its running is good with excellent 55/56 MPG
Posted: Jan 6, 2014 (10 years ago)
Sounds like your vehicle is over fueling ,hence the exhaust fumes,it could be an injector issue,garage really want,s to be checking the spill return on the injector,s as I suspect one or more is over fueling the engine.This is where I would start if there are no codes to go on,another area is e.g.r. It could be sticking,but I would expect a code generated .The fuel issue may only be there at idle .
Posted Jan 6, 2014 (10 years ago)
Could also test alternator output as an overcharging battery gives out acrid fumes as you describe .
Posted Jan 6, 2014 (10 years ago)
Many thanks for your prompt responses, I dont think its battery or alternator related the smell is definately coming from the exhaust, there is no colour to the exhaust it is quite clear, the exception being letting it tickover after a few minutes there is a very thin light grey colour coming from the rear pipe that quickly disperses on giving it a few revs.
When I say thin I mean its not as thick/white as water/steam condensation
When I say thin I mean its not as thick/white as water/steam condensation
Posted Jan 6, 2014 (10 years ago)
Possibly cat needing replaced ?
Posted Jan 6, 2014 (10 years ago)
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