Ford Kuga 1.5 TDCI slight exhaust fume smell

[Howard-]

Hi all,

In the last few days my partner had noticed what seems like an exhaust fume smell inside the cabin of her car. I just had a look myself and can also notice it. It’s fairly feint but it’s there. Under the bonnet it is also noticeable. It is not noticeable from the exhaust. Couldn’t see anything obviously leaking but it was dark.

Any ideas what it might be?

Fuel filter was replaced a few weeks ago but again this is only in the last couple of days.

2017 Ford Kuga 1.5 diesel.

[Demelitia]

A torch with a strong, narrow beam can help with exhaust leaks, if the usual spot marks don’t point it out for you.
Wait until it’s dark and get under the bonnet with the torch whilst the engine is running; you’ll maybe see the exhaust gases in the light.

[E-bmw]

Basically, if it can be smelt, it is there, so either you or A.N.Other needs to keep looking until you find it.

I have never tried the above, so can't comment on it, but anything that may help is worth a try.

Another way can be a bit of tissue paper on a long thin screwdriver or similar which will likely flap in the wind when in the gas path from the leak.

[Novexx]

Not so sure on the 1.5, but injector seals were a common issue on the 1.6 TDCi & they look the same.

[Howard-]

Novexx said:

Not so sure on the 1.5, but injector seals were a common issue on the 1.6 TDCi & they look the same.

Yeah, I have found plenty of references online to leaking seals on the older 1.4 and 1.6 TDCIs but absolutely nothing for the 1.5. I'm going to have a good old look on Saturday in daylight to see if anything is obvious and go from there.

The symptoms do align with what I have read you will smell if the DPF is doing a forced regen, but the cooling fan was not on. Is the cooling fan an absolute requirement during DPF regens, or is it ambient temperature-specific?

[Sardonicus]

Check the ex manifold area inc where the turbo vane actuator pivot comes through the turbo body they can wear and leak badly, if the DPF soot accumulation is high leaks can often be exaggerated too inc nasty smells

[Howard-]

Sardonicus said:

Check the ex manifold area inc where the turbo vane actuator pivot comes through the turbo body they can wear and leak badly, if the DPF soot accumulation is high leaks can often be exaggerated too inc nasty smells

Thank you. I did notice a tiny bit of soot accumulation in that area but it's been there since we got the car almost 2 years ago and it hasn't got any worse.

How much of a faff is the fix if it is that?

[Ryyy]

I had an exhaust smell coming through the cabin/ could actually physically see the fumes coming through the vents at times it was the front exhaust gasket thing. Could aslo visibly see ot come up from the engine bay with the bonnet open(when it did do it) this was an insignia though but similar problem.