S40: Sulphur smell in cad at startup

[Philfy]

Hi guys.

I have a 03 S40 1.9D. It's recently been for it's 11 year service (which was a major one according to the garage).

A week or so after the service I started to notice a sulphur type smell entering the cabin at startup and occasionally when stationary. If I set the ventilation system to re-circulate the issue goes away, however things then get a little stuffy in there.

Does anyone have any idea how the smell may be getting into the ventilation system? I know they replaced the fuel filter during the service if that may have anything to do with it.

[v40alex]

If it's no smell when re-circ is selected, then that pretty much rules out any internal leaks on the heating system. Outside air comes in from the windscreen wiper recess - I would inspect the engine bay and see if you can detect the source.

When you say sulphur, do you mean unburnt diesel fuel smell? You could check if the fuel filter assembly is leaking - put a sheet of cardboard under the inside of front passenger wheel overnight or remove the engine fuse box (inside engine bay above passenger wheel, two bolts) and it is underneath that.

[Matt86]

If this is the smell I think it is it's quite common on diesels, My Nissan has it at the moment and I can't be bothered to sort out fixing it lol.

I've read it's where the CAT has broken down inside the exhaust and basically isn't working anymore. Somehow it causes that smell, It's vile makes me feel sick.

[v40alex]

Yes, if it's a proper rotten egg smell then it would point to the cat. It might not have broken though, there might be too much fuel in the system, possibly post fuel filter the ECU is taking a while to adjust.