[Graeme_r]

I had a problem with a smell of diesel Fume coming into 1.6 CRDi cabin when the car is idling but stationary, e.g. at traffic lights.  Dealer had the car for two days but the problem returned.  I think it is being sucked in when the fan is on.   There is a pipe going from the air filter housing to the air intake on top of the radiator grill.  The union to the filter housing seems loose, as if a rubber seal ring  is missing.  Anyone else have this issue  - can anyone else fell slack between the air filter housing and the intake pipe?   If I switch to recirculaing air  it stops the smell.  Will try to post a image soon.

[Asterix]

You won't get any diesel fumes from the air filter as the diesel is injected directly into the cylinders. This issue have been reported here earlier, try using the search function, I don't remember the outcome.

The pipe from intake to the air filter is also a very loose fit on mine 

[Dazzler]

Welcome Graeme. Sounds more like a leak part way through the exhaust but not sure how switching to recirculating would help with that.

[Shambles]

@Graeme_r  this topic has been unlocked for your update

[nzenigma]

I think his diesel smell is coming from other cars. ( It will be Nissans  ) 
The looseness in the hoses is normal because the intake is fixed / rigid but the motor is not ( due to rubber engine mounts) 

[Graeme_r]

Thanks for the contributions.  I assumed the fumes were combusted diesel as thy smell similar to those outside the vehicle.  However,  I suspect after reading the post replies they could be fumes from inside the engine valve cover area or  degraded hot oil. They smell goes away when the car is moving or if I set heating/ventilation to recycle.  Does anyone know where the fresh air intake for the Heating/ventilation is drawn from so that I can look for nearby residues of leaking oil or breather pipes with ruptures? There are no oil leaks on the drive so if oil is leaking it can't be excessive. 
Is it possible that  blocked cabin filter could be partly responsible?

[tw2005]

Thanks for the contributions.  I assumed the fumes were combusted diesel as thy smell similar to those outside the vehicle.  However,  I suspect after reading the post replies they could be fumes from inside the engine valve cover area or  degraded hot oil. They smell goes away when the car is moving or if I set heating/ventilation to recycle.  Does anyone know where the fresh air intake for the Heating/ventilation is drawn from so that I can look for nearby residues of leaking oil or breather pipes with ruptures? There are no oil leaks on the drive so if oil is leaking it can't be excessive. 
Is it possible that  blocked cabin filter could be partly responsible?

Well the cabin filter sits in the glovebox area so the intake is from that side of the plenum. Where your wiper arms are and those vents, thats the intake. The fuel filter assembly is also in that area under the bonnet. Definitely no seepage or leaks? Is the smell of unburnt diesel or exhaust?

You can get charcoaled filters for the cabin which may reduce fumes  but if this is constant that feature may not last long.

has it only started recently or after an event like a servicing?

Oh, and what series? FD?

[tw2005]

If it's a RHD FD, this is what the whole HVAC unit looks like as you face it from the front of the car. Imagine the right side , that sits under the glove box, intake at the top and blower sits at the base.

You can even see the pollen filter plain as day in that aperture of the intake.

[nzenigma]

If it's a RHD FD, this is what the whole HVAC unit looks like as you face it from the front of the car. Imagine the right side , that sits under the glove box, intake at the top and blower sits at the base.

You can even see the pollen filter plain as day in that aperture of the intake.

We aim to please here Graeme.  Gerard beat me to it and pulled the unit out of his car to clarify the issue. 

[tw2005]

If it's a RHD FD, this is what the whole HVAC unit looks like as you face it from the front of the car. Imagine the right side , that sits under the glove box, intake at the top and blower sits at the base.

You can even see the pollen filter plain as day in that aperture of the intake.

We aim to please here Graeme.  Gerard beat me to it and pulled the unit out of his car to clarify the issue. 

How about coming over and giving me a hand to put F#%ker back in. Geez

[nzenigma]

 

[Graeme_r]

To answer recent posts, the smell has been present for ages and the dealer tried to fix it but didn't succeed. It smells like a combustion product , not dissimilar to the smell of diesel exhaust, but it could be oil leaking onto a hot manifold, I will check at the weekend for evidence.  Thanks for the recent pictures too!


. The car is a 1.6 CRDi 116 PS comfort 2009 model.

[nzenigma]

Just keep in mind that the fuel filter is on the fire wall , LH side. They can leak if not screwed into holder properly.
When you get the smell just shut down and look for leaks/wet areas around the injector line connections and down to the  fuel pump RH front of motor. Good luck

[Graeme_r]

I changed the fuel filter 2 years ago after some blockage caused the ECU warning light to illuminate. It is dry and the smell has been present before and after.

[Graeme_r]

Is air drawn in from every intake in the picture with a gasket?

[Mark70]

Exhaust gasses entering the passenger cabin via the HVAC system is a common problem in many makes of cars and is often caused by a leak in the exhaust plumbing, sometimes where the exhaust manifold is bolted onto the engine, somtimes where the exhaust manifold connects to the rest of the exhaust system, the exhaust downpipe, flanges leaking etc, usually before the DPF, any of which allows exhaust gasses to escape the exhaust plumbing and enter the engine compartment, which then quickly enters the HVAC air intake and enters the cabin this way.
Speak with the serice manager and request the exhaust system be carefully checked for leaks along its whole length.
Please also be careful with the exact words you use, since two of the people responding in this thread (Asterix and nzenigma) had formed the incorrect view that you were talking about the smell of liquid diesel fuel entering the cabin, rather than exhaust gasses as you had meant.  Please make sure that your Service Manager doesn't similarly miss-understand you.

[nzenigma]

like a combustion product , not dissimilar to the smell of diesel exhaust, but it could be oil leaking onto a hot manifold

be careful with the exact words you use, since two of the people responding in this thread (Asterix and nzenigma) had formed the incorrect view that you were talking about the smell of liquid diesel fuel entering the cabin, rather than exhaust gasses as you had meant.

Im still not sure what he is smelling given his statement above. Your assumption that it is escaping exhaust gas is very reasonable but that is usually accompanied by sound that an experienced person will detect. Quick check by owner @Graeme_r , start cool motor and have car idling in quiet location then put hand over the rear exhaust outlet. Any leaks will give a loud hiss.