Technical Fumes coming into Fiat Ulyssee

[FIATSJM]

I was hoping someone might be able to help!

I have a 2004 Fiat Ulyssee - there's a strange smell of fumes coming into the vehicle. I have looked and the exhaust is fine and not leaking at all. Alongside the Cat. there's a small box with a pipe coming out of it and there appears to be fumes coming out of this.

The smell is difficult to describe - it's like a mixture of exhaust fumes / and white spirits.

Any ideas?

 

[Monster900]

If you take a good look, I think the little box has WEBASTO written on it. You will find extra info on this forum about that if you use the search for Webasto or auxiliary heater ;-)

 

[FIATSJM]

If you take a good look, I think the little box has WEBASTO written on it. You will find extra info on this forum about that if you use the search for Webasto or auxiliary heater ;-)

Hi there Monster900 - thanks for your reply (these forums still amaze me that you can post almost any question and someone with good info will reply within 24 hours!

I've had a look at various posts on the auxhilary heater - sounds like what it is. My problem is that the smell doesn't go away even after a 45 min journey. Do they ever need servicing/cleaning?

Thanks again for your reply - I appreciate it.

 

[Monster900]

I haven't found out how or when the webasto works. Propably someone else on this forum can help you with that.

 

[Mr Sheen]

The Webasto kicks in when you start up engine below 9 to 10 degrees centigrade outside temperature. The idea is to help heater to heat up cabin without detracting from engine heat up process. It should shut down when engine reaches normal operating temperature. Check if it is shutting down by stopping and listening for it when normal temp is reached.
It is very smelly when running but should not cause smell in cabin unless you are in stop start traffic conditions with window open or is picking up the fumes through the outside air intake to heater in these type of conditions. Try using recirculating air switch until you reach normal temperature.
Otherwise check for a leak into cabin eg. poor door seal or missing grommet somewhere. I have not heard of people cleaning or having them serviced except after very high mileage or constant stop start motoring (engine not reaching normal temp constantly).
Another thing to think of is that you know the way that kind of a smell stays in your nose for a long time!!

 

[halli]

The Webasto kicks in when you start up engine below 9 to 10 degrees centigrade outside temperature. The idea is to help heater to heat up cabin without detracting from engine heat up process.

Do you know if there is a way to stop it coming on? If it is just to help heat the cabin I can do without that rather than having the noise and smell from mine.

Would it be as easy as pulling a fuse?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr Sheen]

Fuse no.3 in engine compartment fuse box. 30A. 'Unused or ESP solenoid or Additional Heating (Diesel)'. This is from a list of fuses posted on Eurovan2 forum.
It is a Maxi Fuse so I dont think I would go messing about with it!
Perhaps, even if you could disable it, diesel would still be pumped into it and there would be a build up and you could have greater problems. It also seems that it would disable ESP if you take it out.
Sorry I cant give you any advice except check out how the smell is getting into cabin.

 

[halli]

Fuse no.3 in engine compartment fuse box. 30A.
diesel would still be pumped into it and there would be a build up and you could have greater problems. It also seems that it would disable ESP if you take it out.

That's a shame

I'd have hoped that the temperature sensor could be overridden therefore stopping the whole unit from coming on and therefore no diesel would be pumped in. After all, if it is temperature driven does it pump diesel in during the summer?

Thank you for your help, I'm glad the smell doesn't come into my cabin - it is just noticeable outside along with the noise.

 

[digger58]

How about disconnecting the plug at the unit?

 

[halli]

Wouldn't that cause the diesel to still flow in as said above?

 

[digger58]

The electrical plug not the fuel supply.