Feeling ill whilst driving - is my car emitting dangerous fumes?
I am driving a 2011 Volkswagen Passat (company car) with 50,000 miles on the clock. I've had it for sometime and felt ill. My other half told me it was smelling of diesel fumes and that's why I was feeling sick, with fatigue and headaches. I drive 500-900 miles/week. I thought it was just traffic pollution from surrounding vehicles.
After much pushing with local garage. I was told that 'all diesel cars smell on start up'. I had to bite my tongue to the nice member of staff. I had the diesel particulate filter replaced under warranty.
I managed to get rid of this car for a while but I have it back (disappointing). It still smells of those white bbq fuel bricks you use to start the BBQ. Particuarly when I get out of the car, it stinks.
Is this the same problem? What can I do? My HR manager says that the last 2 people didn't complain when driving it.
I look forward to your advice.
After much pushing with local garage. I was told that 'all diesel cars smell on start up'. I had to bite my tongue to the nice member of staff. I had the diesel particulate filter replaced under warranty.
I managed to get rid of this car for a while but I have it back (disappointing). It still smells of those white bbq fuel bricks you use to start the BBQ. Particuarly when I get out of the car, it stinks.
Is this the same problem? What can I do? My HR manager says that the last 2 people didn't complain when driving it.
I look forward to your advice.
Asked on 1 August 2014 by Gayna
Answered by
Honest John
Barbecue firelighters have a very distinctive smell, not like diesel, which actually smells quite sweet. Normally a DPF is regenerated two ways. 'Passively' simply by driving the car sufficient distance for the DPF to heat up enough to burn off the soot in it from cold starts.
And also 'actively' whereby every 250 miles or so the ECU injects extra diesel into the engine to set off a fire in the DPF to burn off any remaining soot. Sometimes the active cycle does not work properly and the extra fuel remains in the engine, sinking into the sump and mixing with the lube oil. If this is happening, the level of lube oil on the dipstick will rise. And that will be the evidence to present to your personnel manager.
And also 'actively' whereby every 250 miles or so the ECU injects extra diesel into the engine to set off a fire in the DPF to burn off any remaining soot. Sometimes the active cycle does not work properly and the extra fuel remains in the engine, sinking into the sump and mixing with the lube oil. If this is happening, the level of lube oil on the dipstick will rise. And that will be the evidence to present to your personnel manager.
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