Thread: TDI 300 Exhaust smells (BAD)) like vinegar

Are you using coolant? That can smell bad if heated through combustion - if is getting in through a crack or gasket.

Start blending vegetable oil in with the diesel; then you'll have the smell of cooking chips to go with your vinegar .

James.

Yes, I am using coolant. I have seen a post somewhere about the coolant leak.
Where would that leak occur? Where should I look for it, or start looking for it?
Thanks.

Possibly a Crack in an inlet port, remove the inlet manifold and take a look down the inlet tracts for coolant staining and obvious moisture tracks. Don't leave it for too long, if left pressurised overnight, and the valve is open, when you start it up the next day it will hydraulic and bend a rod


JC

Originally Posted by mogindo

My '97 TDI 300 has bad smelling exhaust fumes. It really smells like vinegar, somewhat sweet, ugly, suffocating smell.

The truck runs fine, its been great although I do have a leak in my diesel return (spill) pipe spilling fuel over the block. (I am in the process of fixing this).

The smell is very consistent and not varying on cold or warm engine, or if i start it when not used for several days.

I am a little concerned as it does not smell like normal diesel fumes.

A couple of Dollars for a foot of 1/8" fuel line will fix the leaking diesel problem, Regards Frank.

As a temporary thing until you can get it fixed, maybe try one of the silica based cooling system repair liquids that get added to the coolant or water. The basic "radiator stop leak" additive ones will not work if the crack is where justinc suggested, the silica might not work either but may be worth a try if it needs to keep going.

I got the fuel line fixed (wasn't easy finding 1/8" pipe in Jakarta).

If I have a crack in the inlet manifold, how would I fix that?

So if there is a crack, will the coolant is leaking into the engine?, into the cylinders and get combusted with diesel? How exactly does that work?
Any risk for engine damage? Should I stop driving NOW?!
Truck has been behaving normally, and I had that smell for about 3-4 weeks already (since I noticed it).

Now I have to focus on the fix, any suggestions are welcome.
Anyone had a similar problem?

Thanks to All!

take Inlet manifold OFF, look down into inlet tracts in cyl head for coolant staining and track marks, especially along the casting mold marks/ ridges.

JC