... VW TDI's are prone to interior cab exhaust leaks? I can' pin it down but I had a really funny taste in my mouth this morning on the drive to work. It was cold out too at -10 C and the defrost was on full so I'm wondering if the fan was bringing in the exhaust?

A couple weeks back when I was swapping for winter tires I have inspected the piping from the turbo to the rear tip and don't see any damage but it is the original pipe and probably needs replacing due to age but I don't know. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it is that or something else?

I haven't cleaned the manifold or EGR out in some time but it is running well with good power and great mileage so I don't really see the point. I used to spend that time when it ran bad or lost power or something like that but with enough power and just under 1/2 tank to go and still 650 km on it - on target for the normal 970 to 1050 km per tank I'm not concerned.

Anyway, what do you think?

 

Usually not. If you have an exhaust leak, you would be able ho hear it.
But I know that TDI's inject way more Diesel during cold start to get warm sooner.
Or does it smell sweet?If so, it could be coolant.
2003 isn't that old at all. Some of the TDI had problems with the EGR during cold temperatures- but should be solved in the meantime.

 

I didn't say anything about hearing it so I'm a little confused?

The car has never had issue in the cold from new so starting or running is not the issue. It was a taste which I can't put my finger on - my sniffer doesn't work so well but this was strange. I haven't changed the cabin filter in a while so I'll start there.

No leaks, no temp issues. Doesn't burn anymore oil than before. A little white exhaust when it is cold is totally normal.

Any other insight?

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Yup, tasted it again on the drive home tonight. Had to drive with the windows down. I guess it has a sweet taste to it.

I'm thinking I best take it in to a shop and have them seek this one out. I don't know what it is. There is no loss of coolant, nor does the car run hot...

Ideas?

 

Ok, so I haven't driven it most of last week but now I did this morning and it doesn't smell? I'm really confused. I'm taking to a shop to get looked at here shortly.

 

How about the outside temperature during driving and smell. Is there a connection? Defrost stops to work at around 0°C just have a look at the manual...

 

My defrost has worked on that car to -30 C without issue so I'm not sure what you are getting at. The blend selector works well and the circulator button only works when not using defrost.

Outside temperature has been steady except for one day of -11 C at between -3 to +3 for the last few weeks.

Went to the shop and the guy told me that unless the windows are fogging up or unless it smells sweet in there all the time there is nothing that points them to a heater core. He then goes on to indicate that te exhaust on these little cars lasts for at least 10 years and since mine is only 6 years I should have some life left in it.

He told me just to drive it...

 

I wouldn't worry about it, too
Do you have already a stainless steel exhaust?
Mine never made it that long...
If you don't mind I will ask our local VW dealer- he has a very experienced Diesel master running around in his shop.

 

Stainless Exhaust = yes.

There is not a hope in hell I'm taking this car back to the local VW dealer service centre. These guys are the same ones that over filled the oil, even after telling them not to as I do my own oil changes and the same ones that told me my timing belt was was done, yet they never removed the covers to inspect the very visible serial number on the continental belt (ie still very new) and this is the same shop that busted a stud of the block and put the exhaust manifold in backwards... Sorry, but I'll pass.

 

Sometimes exhaust gets sucked in through the HVAC system when it's cold and the engine is idling at a red light or while parked etc. Think it could just be that?

 

I'd give you that one if I wasn't driving down the road at 60km/h... It's a really strange one.