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Glow plug light flashing fume/smell in cabin

Sad Northerner

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Hexham
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Honda Accord CDTI
Hi All


sorry to pester you all again with another issue but;

This morning my car went into limp mode and the glow plug indicator light began to flash. It was pretty cold -3.

I don't know if these issues are related but there has also been a bit of a smell of diesel fumes, during start up, in the cabin over the last few weeks. I raised the issue of cabin smell with the local mechanic but he stated that he could not identify any problems. I understand that there are some manifold issues with my model car however.

the mechanic also tested each of the glow plugs and they where found to be working correctly

the car is running on the oil recommended on this forum and had a genuine fuel filter fitted 8000 mile ago.

The car has done 94k mile and is over 7 years old.

Where should I start with the limp mode/ glow plug issues?

How would I stand with the potential cabin fumes and what approach should I take with Honda?


Regards and thanks in advance

Ali
 
Alistair sorry to hear your having all these problems.
In terms of manifold repair under warranty it all depends on Honda UK themselves. However it all depends on how old your motor is, in theory your motor has passed the warranty. My advice is to speak with your dealer and see what they say.
Either way you need to get this car fixed as it's dangerous.
 
Alistair mate as Shabz said.This can either be your exhaust manifold if so there is a 7 year or 125k extended warranty on this.
Or another member hear had a leaking injector seal.
 
A cracked exhaust manifold is very unlikely to put the vehicle into limp mode... although this doesn't mean you don't have a cracked exhaust manifold! A faulty injector seal will also generate diesel fumes which will stink out the cabin - easy to check for a leaking injector by removing the engine plastic top cover and checking for oily stains at the base of each injector.

If you're in limp mode, then the MIL (engine warning light) should have illuminated and a DTC (fault code) will be able to be read off using an OBD2 reader. This would help pinpoint the reason for limp mode (but odd that your mechanic didn't do this). Is the warning light on, or has it been on recently?
 
Hi Guys

thanks for the fast reply, again I am overwhelmed by the support this forum offers even to a complete numpty like me.

There was no engine warning light during the period that the car was in limp mode and by my understanding the car seems to be running fine, i.e no spluttering, oil loss or rattling etc.

I'm gonna get the car booked in to check the injector seals and manifold and to get a code...... I'll report as soon as I have more info.

With regards to the 7 year 125k warranty will my car be covered, its a 2005 model but has done only 94k... so I guess the 7 years is up?

Thanks

Ali
 
If your 7 years are up then im afraid not but keep us posted how you get on.
If your car has a full unbroken Honda service history they might offer a some good will but they have clamped down on this lately.
 
Got to agree with Brett, unfortunately. Honda have been unhelpful to several members of this, and other, forums recently.

However, a cracked manifold which only causes fumes to be noticeable at start up isn't the end of the world... mine's been like this for at least 3 years without getting any worse.
 
Cheers Guys



I'll let you know how I get on........ however, if the post is followed by a long absence ***ume the worst.


Ali
 
when did u last time changed fuel filter or at least did u ever drained it? if not that may cause to limp mode espacially that u mentioned that was -3 degrees so some water may freeze
 
I was chatting to the guy in the Honda garage the other day as they found that my manifold was cracked - my car is covered as it is under 7y.o., but he was saying they have been given no flexibility by honda on this one - however, you may get a goodwill gesture from the dealership themselves - worth a try!

M
 
Okay Guys


more info for you.

4 degrees warmer today and there was no 'glow plug' issues with the car; it started and ran well with no flashing lights.

I had it checked at the local garage to get a 'fault code' and it reported something like 'fuel relay pressure low' (I've got it written down somewhere but can't find my notes).

I'm not sure if the cabin smell and 'Glow plug' lights things are related and am going to try the above advise given by Brodzui and Edgeoftime.

I'll poke around the engine and see if I see anythings that suggests that the manifold is cracked.....in the meantime I'm not too bothered about the cabin small as the kids are sleeping better on long journeys now.

Will report back

Ali

PS just joking about the kids sleeping better thing
 
I had it checked at the local garage to get a 'fault code' and it reported something like 'fuel relay pressure low' (I've got it written down somewhere but can't find my notes).

I'm not sure if the cabin smell and 'Glow plug' lights things are related and am going to try the above advise given by Brodzui and Edgeoftime.

I'll poke around the engine and see if I see anythings that suggests that the manifold is cracked.....in the meantime I'm not too bothered about the cabin small as the kids are sleeping better on long journeys now.
If it is a fuel filter issue, then the fault may have been fuel RAIL pressure low (code = P0087)? Not just ice crystals that help to block the filter when cold, but also waxy solids in the fuel.

I strongly doubt the cabin smell and limp mode issues are linked.

Manifold crack will leak fumes worse when cold... with the bonnet up, look at the rear of the engine while an ***istant starts her up, mine always gives out a "bucketful" of smoke, but only then. Genuinely funny comment about the kids, but unlike a petrol engine there's hardly any carbon monoxide in diesel exhaust (not that you really want to inhale it!).
 
Hi

I'm not able to contribute much to the discussion but I have a very similar intermittent problem with my 2.2, 04 plate. At start-up there is a heavy fume smell in the car which I first thought was leaking exhaust but I've tested that and it's solid. It disappears when driving on open road but partially returns when I stop/start in traffic. Recently the glow plug light has come on and flashes. When that happens the engine restricts itself to max 2000 revs and to overcome it I have to switch off the engine, wait 30 secs and restart it. Sometimes I have to do this 2 -3 times to sort it. It seems that when I accelerate and the rev counter goes beyond 3200 the fault kicks in. Any likely diagnosis and/or prognosis? likely cost to repair?

Carlton3
 
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