[Engine] Smelly exhaust

[Martinez]

My mk1 bingo smells. It smells like an old paraffin heater. It’s a 2001 2.0hdi engine with 180,000 on clock and runs like a Swiss watch. But the smell gets into the cab and the mrs is complaining. 
So 2 issues. Any fix for the smell ? And do you think I need exhaust looking at ?
Cheers guys

[brodfather11]

Is it the exhaust?
There were problems with the heater matrix leaking and the smell is/was like a curry cooking according to some folk . Especially older models.
It doesn't take a large leak to cause the coolant to evaporate on the outside of the matrix and cause a smell .

There are lots of posts about it , look them up.

[Romahomepete]

My M59 gets the curry smell sometimes through the heater but we are not losing water

Peter

[brodfather11]

It does not take a lot of coolant to cause the smell, just a weep in the matrix is enough

[ffrenchie]

It is probably the injector seals , have a look if there's diesel or carbon round the base of them.

[Martinez]

My M59 gets the curry smell sometimes through the heater but we are not losing water

Peter

When I first got van it smelt of curry. I thought previous owner had been a big Indian food fan, but thanks for the tip on that one I’ll keep my eye on it. 
As for the smell I’m complaining about, it’s not curry, it’s stinky fumes. Almost makes yer eyes water type of fumes. Reminds me of burning paraffin, which suggests diesel. I’ve picked up some injector cleaner which I’ll put in when I fill her up (or half fill at today’s prices ) and see if that helps. It’s a Motorhome so not used regularly, although I did a 300 mile trip 2 weeks back.

[Martinez]

It is probably the injector seals , have a look if there's diesel or carbon round the base of them.

I’ll have to take a look when I get back from my camping trip next week. Is it an easy job removing the injectors and replacing the seals ?

[Martinez]

After driving 300+ miles exhaust no longer smelly, I put it down to old diesel