Technical Just joined, burning smell.

[neckender]

Hi everyone I’ve just joined the forum as I have a problem with my 2017 X290 Fiat Ducato motorhome.
It had a recall a month after I bought it for the split EGR pipe and I took it to our local Fiat dealer Platts in Stoke on Trent who have since ceased trading.
Since they did the recall I get a burning curry like smell in the cab after about 2 miles which disappears about 10 miles on, until the next time I drive the van.
This as been happening now for 10,000 miles so last November I contacted Fiat UK who were very good and booked the van in with Imperial Commercial garage in Derby.
Their technician took one look under the bonnet and said that the EGR pipe had not been changed, so they ordered the parts and had my van in for a week and supposedly changed the pipe, but I’m still getting the smell every time I use the van from cold, has anyone else had this problem and what was the cause.
There are no fluid leaks whatsoever under the bonnet, I love the van and would just like to get it sorted.

I’ve also taken the van to an independent garage and they want to do a forced particulate filter regeneration, which I’ve refused as our Van isn’t used for short journeys and has run down to Benidorm twice and I drive to the speed limits.
No short journeys or stop start journeys.
Thanks,
John

 

[oigle]

Hi everyone I’ve just joined the forum as I have a problem with my 2017 X290 Fiat Ducato motorhome.
It had a recall a month after I bought it for the split EGR pipe and I took it to our local Fiat dealer Platts in Stoke on Trent who have since ceased trading.
Since they did the recall I get a burning curry like smell in the cab after about 2 miles which disappears about 10 miles on, until the next time I drive the van.
This as been happening now for 10,000 miles so last November I contacted Fiat UK who were very good and booked the van in with Imperial Commercial garage in Derby.
Their technician took one look under the bonnet and said that the EGR pipe had not been changed, so they ordered the parts and had my van in for a week and supposedly changed the pipe, but I’m still getting the smell every time I use the van from cold, has anyone else had this problem and what was the cause.
There are no fluid leaks whatsoever under the bonnet, I love the van and would just like to get it sorted.

I’ve also taken the van to an independent garage and they want to do a forced particulate filter regeneration, which I’ve refused as our Van isn’t used for short journeys and has run down to Benidorm twice and I drive to the speed limits.
No short journeys or stop start journeys.
Thanks,
John

The indi could be right. That burning smell is likely from a dpf regen and it may not be completing thus starting up again on next drive. A full forced regen might sort it.

 

[RS3100]

The indi could be right. That burning smell is likely from a dpf regen and it may not be completing thus starting up again on next drive. A full forced regen might sort it.

Get a copy of MultiEcuScan, or find someone with suitable diagnostic equipment.

The vehicle will tell you the condition of the DPF (percentage blocked) how many failed regens etc. Good indication of whether a forced regen is necessary before committing to that action, which is quite hard on the vehicle and will necessitate an oil change afterwards.

Unfortunately, driving to the speed limits is no indication that the DPF will be OK. It is more to do with maintaining at least 2200 rpm for sufficient uninterrupted periods during a journey so that the DPF can spontaneously regenerate, or failing that knowing whether programmed regenerations (which occur in the absence of sufficient spontaneous regens) have completed. If you are driving in the highest possible gear or religiously following the gear change indication on the instrument cluster in an attempt to maximise fuel economy, you may find your driving style is predominantly inhibiting spontaneous regenerations.

Having said that though, I assume your van is Euro 6 from reference to the recall. Doesn't it have a warning light to inform you if a programmed regen needs to complete due to previous attempts having failed? Check your handbook, but I'm pretty sure that is the case.

 

[corcai]

Coolant leak onto the exhaust manifold will stink too, give egr done could easily be that.

 

[neckender]

Thank you oigle, RS3100 and corcai for your helpful answers.

John.

 

[RS3100]

Thank you oigle, RS3100 and corcai for your helpful answers.

John.

Just to add, can you get it up on ramps, or even levelling ramps if you are able to crawl underneath it? Obviously make sure it is braked and chocked fully so it cannot go anywhere, and get a helper to start it. Your nose might help determine where the odour is coming from, but stay away from moving parts and keep in mind that some parts can also get very hot.

I wouldn't suggest this unless you feel fully capable, but it could be the quickest way to at least narrow it down.