mikel212

After a long drive, outside of my car smells like pickles or vinegar. At first, I thought it might be a puddle, but still smell it from time to time. Usually towards the back where the back passengers exit.

Can this be from the regen process, or from the adblue heater? Dont know if the heater is always on, or when its freezing outside.

I did recently get the heater replaced under warranty. Could it be an adblue leak?

Zavato

Sours or half sours?

AkaSigFreak

German Car- it's Sauerkraut.

Kaasmann

When fairly new, mine smelled of rotten fish. It did until I found the rotten fish under the passenger front seat. Guess you lost a pickle somewhere or your just in a pickle.

mikel212

Bunch of comedians. Sounds like I need to take a look at the undercarriage.

Was at a JiffyLube once, and the guy found a dead rat when he removed the undercarriage cover.

I'm in Chinatown all the time, maybe I ran over a jar of dumpling sauce.

Diabolis

LOL. Seriously though - the AdBlue system is essentially urea injection which is what you could be smelling (ammonia). It could be a DPF fluid leak or simply the system working (you mentioned you just had the heater replaced... it's possible that something isn't sealed properly, but also that you're burning off soot that may not have been previously completely eliminated due to the heater failing. Have it checked if it goes on.

JLmb

I have the same problem but the smell is inside the car. This smell is driving me knot. Did you resolved the problem?
My preheater has the circuit open but I don't believe that could cause any smell as its function is only to warm the DEF to prevent get frozen in cold weather... but I live in Miami