We are currently driving our 10 plate Fabia TDI 1.6CR 105 in Spain. The car coped with the 575 mile drive from Santander to our base very well, but because the mileage at the start was just a few hundred miles it was treated well and not allowed to labour, but allowed to cruise on motorways at 120kph which is the speed limit here. It seemed to love it.

Since arriving here most of our driving has been relatively short 10km trips in traffic. However, the other day we took a drive up the motorway, about 20 mins in each direction at 120kph. Enough to clear the DPF I would have thought.

The car has now covered 1050 miles and today, upon arriving back from a short shopping trip, a very hot smell appeared from under the bonnet. It wasn't like burning rubber, clutch or brakes but more like a very enhanced version of the new hot engine smell. You could smell this around the car in the driveway and it didn't smell right. This is my 3rd Fabia from new. It had us quite worried and as soon as the car cooled down we decided to investigate further. We tried a number of short and medium drives attempting to simulate various traffic conditions and also gave the car a good surge through the gears. Result, nothing. Everything normal. No warning lights, coolant level full, engine oil full and still looking fairly clean. No smell.

So, the only thing I can think of is that the car was in the middle of a DPF regeneration cycle when we arrived home and the exhaust was very hot and being newish gave us the impression of a hot burning smell. Does that sound likely?

Could anyone comment or offer advice? Of course we will be keeping an eye on subsequent journeys in case there is some fault.

My guess is that it was indeed a DPF regen. 'Hot smell' describes it perfectly.

The trip up the motorway happened before the ash volume reached the point at which a regen was required

If you interrupt a regen cycle, it doesn't mean that it will need to continue when you next drive the car. It may have burnt off enough ash so that the ash volume is now below the limit at which a regen is needed.

Hi i have just ordered mine today just before the vat offer finishes, so you are very happy with yours?mph on such a trip would be pretty accurate, have you worked out the average mph over such a great distance?and comfort wise how comfy was it and how much out of 100 for all round happiness.I plumbed for the elegance with extras so really excited

Edited 18 September, 201015 yr by seboni121

Our Yeti had this when she was fairly new, now when you catch her out doing a regen (3 or maybe 4 times in 9500 miles) all you notice is a higher idle speed of 1000 rpm and the engine fan running on for about 5 minutes after turning the engine off. Also you can sense the additional heat once out of the car.

TP

Thanks for the replies. Here's hoping that was the situation.

I have had the same symptons on my 2010 Fabia 1.6 tdi cr 105. I was wondering why the cooling fan was running, and 1000rpm idle speed, as the ambient temperature was'nt too high and I had'nt been in traffic.

I have had the same symptons on my 2010 Fabia 1.6 tdi cr 105. I was wondering why the cooling fan was running, and 1000rpm idle speed, as the ambient temperature was'nt too high and I had'nt been in traffic.

Did you get the 'hot smell' as well ?

Yes, had the " hot smell ". Quite alarming how strong it was, had only driven 10 miles, and not gone above 50 mph. I spend quite a lot of time crawling in traffic, so presumably that's why it had to do a " regen ".

Yes, had the " hot smell ". Quite alarming how strong it was

Thanks for that. Very reassuring.

If its a turbo model (I am guessing it is) Make sure you allow the engine to cool on tickover for a few mins after a hot run, before switching off! That will help maintain the unit and prevent early failiure.

Yes, had the " hot smell ". Quite alarming how strong it was, had only driven 10 miles, and not gone above 50 mph. I spend quite a lot of time crawling in traffic, so presumably that's why it had to do a " regen ".

Got me all worried....I dont get a hot smell

Seems the new CR doesnt need to regen as often as my PD engine. Mine does it every 130 ish miles. It actually sounds different on mine when in regen so I assume on the new CR its not noticeable

Its comforting to know the new CR can regen even in slow traffic, mine probably couldnt.

Mine does actually have a slightly hottish smell if it gets interrupted, but its quite mild.

If its a turbo model (I am guessing it is) Make sure you allow the engine to cool on tickover for a few mins after a hot run, before switching off! That will help maintain the unit and prevent early failiure.

You dont need to do that it is unnecessary. All you do is let the engine idle for a few seconds (not minutes)before you turn off the engine. Some old timers had the habit of reving the engine then turning off the ignition, so the old fashioned petrol engine which sometimes had pre ignition problems came to a stop rather than run on after switching off.

Obviously if you do this with a turbo engine be it petrol or diesel what you are doing is spinning up the turbo, when you switch off the engine, the engine stops but the turbo keeps on spinning and because the engine is stopped, so has the oil pump so the turbo is getting no lubrication!!