[MVB180]

Morning people.
Anyone else had the flexi mesh on the end of the Catalyst converter degrade and cause smell into the cab?
I have had a smell of fumes in the car from starting and then if u stand at lights etc, had it looked at at Halfords and they confirmed the mesh was corroded and full of holes. BTW Halfords prices are totally over the top, wanted £870 for new CAT. Also if you didn't know the mesh is a genuine part to be replaced and available from BMW for about £93, they wanted £360 to cut the mesh off and weld a new bit on. Fortunately as I've only had the car for 2 weeks its going back to the garage to be done.
Anyone else had experiences of this??

[nemz]

Glad the garage is sorting, you can actually buy just the flexi on eBay for around £20-30 last time I did one. Some markup by Halford's for an hour or two max, I'd avoid them like the plague after that quote, local indy would probably weld it for labour cost.

[Jackma119]

Originally Posted by nemz

Glad the garage is sorting, you can actually buy just the flexi on eBay for around £20-30 last time I did one. Some markup by Halford's for an hour or two max, I'd avoid them like the plague after that quote, local indy would probably weld it for labour cost.

+1

[MVB180]

Well i had the flexi pipe done and there's been a marked improvement in the smell but its still there. So not sure what it is. When i've had the bonnet up if i smell the left side of the engine you can smell fumes but not on the right, i'm hoping it's something easily fixed but wondered if anyone had any ideas?

[nemz]

From experience could be the remaining gunk burning off, even with a DPF there will be stinky stuff hanging around. If not already done, take it for a nice long run keep at 70 mph using a lower gear aiming for around 3000-3500 RPM for at least 30 minutes, no need to go nuts.

You may end up giving the heat shield and under panels a quick jet wash, depending on how bad. My exhaust was making the gunk it'd spayed underneath smell after a drive as it warmed the panel, although the exhaust itself was clean. Use some strike or another decent de-greaser, engine warm not hot and give the back of the engine and right hand side a good go over, being careful around the turbo electronics.

It's annoying I know, good luck!

[MVB180]

Had the car looked at, at a place called Hallmark in Heybridge Essex that are BMW specialists, was expecting a day of diagnostics and a bill but they never charged me as they couldn't find anything wrong. I get the smell when starting especially from cold and then when you stop in traffic or general, not a strong smell but a smell never the less. I thought they'd use the smoke machine which they didn't do but had a good look round under the car and in engine.
Was really pleased that they didn't charge me but was happy to have paid for at least the smoke tester as in my mind if this had been done it ticks off something it's not. They also took the car out and gave it a ragging and said couldn't smell it, but its at a stand you get the smell so all they did was use my diesel.
Not really sure what to do now.
I have purchased some DPF cleaner off ebay and i'm hoping that might help but guess if i think the smell is still there i'll have to continue to search for the smell myself.
Anybody got any other ideas?
Cheers

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by MVB180

Had the car looked at, at a place called Hallmark in Heybridge Essex that are BMW specialists, was expecting a day of diagnostics and a bill but they never charged me as they couldn't find anything wrong. I get the smell when starting especially from cold and then when you stop in traffic or general, not a strong smell but a smell never the less. I thought they'd use the smoke machine which they didn't do but had a good look round under the car and in engine.
Was really pleased that they didn't charge me but was happy to have paid for at least the smoke tester as in my mind if this had been done it ticks off something it's not. They also took the car out and gave it a ragging and said couldn't smell it, but its at a stand you get the smell so all they did was use my diesel.
Not really sure what to do now.
I have purchased some DPF cleaner off ebay and i'm hoping that might help but guess if i think the smell is still there i'll have to continue to search for the smell myself.
Anybody got any other ideas?
Cheers

I'd look at:

1. Leaks from exhaust manifold
2. Seals around Turbo
3. Burning smell coming from injectors?

Take the engine cover off and have a good look around.

[MVB180]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

I'd look at:

1. Leaks from exhaust manifold
2. Seals around Turbo
3. Burning smell coming from injectors?

Take the engine cover off and have a good look around.

Originally Posted by Sensible_

I'd look at:

1. Leaks from exhaust manifold
2. Seals around Turbo
3. Burning smell coming from injectors?

Take the engine cover off and have a good look around.

Think they did that, appeared to be pretty good.