Club 80-90 Forums

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

What year is it, does it have a Cat fitted and what does it smell like

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

Does it smell like coolant?

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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?

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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!

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.

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

pauljvw wrote: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!

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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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! :

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