Smelly engine

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pauljvw
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Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

Westy 1.9 wbx DF.
Hi, high mileage engine but regular servicing!
Could anyone suggest what might be the cause of the unpleasant smell from the engine particularly on startup.
365 000 km on the clock I imagine it had a rebuild before it was imported in 2003 but I don't know for sure thanks

TONYT25T25
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by TONYT25T25 »

What year is it, does it have a Cat fitted and what does it smell like
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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

1984 1.9 wbx DF. Difficult to describe ,not fuel,just fumy not good! Its always been the same the last 14 years cheers

Stesaw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by Stesaw »

Does it smell like coolant?
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R0B
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by R0B »

And it's taken you 10 years to ask about it. :lol:

pauljvw wrote: 04 Jul 2021, 18:52 1984 1.9 wbx DF. Difficult to describe ,not fuel,just fumy not good! Its always been the same the last 14 years cheers
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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

Well yes,thats helpful rob!
Don't think it smells of coolent, I'll have to get a couple of others to have a whiff, I have asked mechanics but no explanations really.
Could even be my physical or mental health i suppose,to me it stinks,cheers

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Re: Smelly engine

Post by Cheddies »

Maybe take it to the carwash and clean the engine/engine bay with the pressure washer? See if having a spanking clean engine helps the smell at all?

Could be something died in there a long time ago and is gooped up / sticky. 
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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

Hi,
has anyone an opinion of hydrogen carbon engine cleaning
treatment for a wbx , might cure the smell ? Cheers

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ajsimmo
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by ajsimmo »

R0B wrote:And it's taken you 10 years to ask about it. Image

pauljvw wrote: 04 Jul 2021, 18:52 1984 1.9 wbx DF. Difficult to describe ,not fuel,just fumy not good! Its always been the same the last 14 years cheers
Has he been asking for 4 years? Image

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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

So ajsimmo, presume you don't have an opinion on hydrogen cleaning? You should know if anyone i guess 🤷 Sparkplug on no. 1 cylinder totally gummed up this week,almost came to a standstill,garage figured it out,running OK again now! Still smelly!

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Re: Smelly engine

Post by Stesaw »

I'd wrap up the electrics, and give everything in the engine bay a good clean with some orange degreaser and a brush then power wash it off.
On startup i'd expect it to smell more petroly due to the choke but if it's not petrol smell then could be water/condensation in the exhaust?
If you aren't loosing coolant then it probably wont be coolant getting into the exhaust and giving that smell.
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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

Thanks for the suggestions stesaw , I'll maybe give that a try!
As you know I'd like a recon or a replacement but its still going quite well , the time will come! Meanwhile ,one more summer,cheers

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ajsimmo
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by ajsimmo »

pauljvw wrote:So ajsimmo, presume you don't have an opinion on hydrogen cleaning? You should know if anyone i guess Image Sparkplug on no. 1 cylinder totally gummed up this week,almost came to a standstill,garage figured it out,running OK again now! Still smelly!
Nope. No opinion as no experience.
Was just batting back Rob's quip - little bit of banter to keep it light... didn't work, clearly. Soz if that's not your thing.

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pauljvw
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by pauljvw »

Thats fine, I guess the original question was asking for for some humorous replies when I come to think about it.my apologies,another senior moment, cheers ps if you're passing come and have a smell! : 😄

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R0B
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Re: Smelly engine

Post by R0B »

Well, I have seen the same questions asked on here many times, but this is the first smelly engine one I can remember. You appear to have a unique problem. Hope you get it sorted
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