How smoky should a diesel be?

[stripped fred]

My Sharan is on 212k and the engine feels strong. When sitting in traffic it stinks of fumes. Is this normal for a high mileage diesel. It doesn't seem to throw too much clag out the back just a bit.

[spike60]

Exhaust flexi ok? Pollen filter seal? My BMW 530d has 260k and smokes like Dot Cotton when it's on boost but doesn't smell inside. 

[Guest]

Does it have a Webasto heater?

[Justin Case]

Diesel Lagunas should not emit any smoke at all. If they do, it is because they are on fire.

[sierraman]

Possibly a leaking rear boot seal sounds a bit left field but it’s a possibility.

[SiC]

Cracked manifold? I know the Honda 2.2 CTDi symptom of a crack manifold is diesel smell in the cabin.

[stripped fred]

I'm really not sure what it is. I'm not sure it's coming through the vents. More if I have a window slightly down. It doesn't have a webasto heater as far as I know.

[cpjitservices]

I'm really not sure what it is. I'm not sure it's coming through the vents. More if I have a window slightly down. It doesn't have a webasto heater as far as I know.

I had this on my galaxy - it was something to do with the Aux Heater im sure! 1.9 TDI

[Dirk Diggler]

Betcha it has a heater and the glow plugs kaput; have a look under the passenger side rear door

[cpjitservices]

Betcha it has a heater and the glow plugs kaput; have a look under the passenger side rear door

Thats the one, thats where mine was - I think the fuse was taken out of mine.

[Dirk Diggler]

There's a repair manual online for it; apparently the diesel is so thermally efficient that it's used when coolant temp is below a certain degree to give fairly instant heat from start up, and improved cold running efficiency; mine smoked a fair bit and struggled to get to running temperature in cold weather, new glow plug and replace a popped fuse and as I've noticed the last couple of mornings at 0 deg outside it's to 85/90 on the gauge in less than 10 minutes

 

Have you changed the pollen filter (they get ignored because they're fiddly)

 

Edited to add: here's the manual http://www.mirez.co.uk/Galaxy/PDF/Galaxy%20-%20Auxiliary%20Heater%20Information.pdf

[stripped fred]

Thanks, I will investigate!