Well, having recently entered Freel2.com I realise that, a. it's a community of enthusiasts, and, b. the sum total of your knowledge is extraordinary. So, a question: I recently acquired a FL2 SE manual 57 and am delighted with it. Have done the LRE half day at Honiton (posted) and am subsequently rehearsing the "toys and tools" in preparation for Armageddon (or "Winter" as it's now known). Trying HDC on several occasions, long steep hills, and I notice that, when I do, the cab seems to start to fill up with exhaust fumes, no smoke, just heavy smell. Any ideas? Am still in warranty so I'll be off to the dealer, but I would like to be armed with some ideas - just in case...

Hi crokett

Now I’m not an expert, but I think HDC relies on the brakes, and you should hear a grating sound as the cars computer applies the brakes and then let’s them off. The smell may from this action as the discs and pads will be getting hot if the HDC is on for a long time.

I’m sure someone else will come along and agree / correct me but I seem to recal the same thing happening when I first played around with the HDC

Could it possibly be the brake fluid boiling? MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Strange
The brakes do take a hammering when using HDC so maybe the pads and discs are creating a bit of smoke, likewise if you haven't had your brake fluid changed in the 4 years and it has a lot of moisture then it could boil. But how are fumes getting into the car
Unless you have seals/grommets missing/worn then they can only come in through the air intake. Not sure if a MY07 has the intake close to the headlight or on the nearside wing, but close off your heater controls and put it on re-circulation and try it again.

Thanks fellas. Hadn't even thought of the brakes as the source. Will go and put it through its paces - recirc on - and let you know the outcome.

Yep, heater off, recirc on, HDC bumping and grinding away, and no smell! Thanks for the info.

crockett wrote:

Yep, heater off, recirc on, HDC bumping and grinding away, and no smell! Thanks for the info.

so it was the side air vent sucking in the brake burning 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

I would only use HDC on steep decent in snow or mud & at very low speeds.

Simont, I guess so. However, I still can't help noticing that the smell in the cab was like Paraffin fumes rather than brake pads - although it's so long since I had my last Landrover I've forgotten what they smelt like. Does this mean that every time you use your HDC, you have to switch off the heating etc? The nice new LRE FL2's had n'ere a wiff or an odour....
However, many thanks for the diagnosis, I feel armed for dealer contact!

I've used HDC a few times in my MY07 GS. Never had any fumes in the cabin while HDC was in use but it wouldn't have been on for long or at much above 15mph. And the air intake on the front LHS wing is for the engine not the cabin.

oil or diesel leak that runs onto a hot exhaust etc when on a an incline? thing to do with hdc that would be a brake smoke smell even thats unlikely as the system shouldnt let the brakes get hot. At work
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BossBob and Oldgeezer, thanks for the responses. My experimentation with the HDC was on a long(ish) hill - about 300 yds - but as I was in 1st gear and letting the gizmo do it's thing (no pedals) the speed was very slow - definitely below 15mph, probably below 10. It also looks as though air intake in question is as you say, engine, although there are inlets on both wings.

'Inlet' on the right wing is just a blank and doesn't go anywhere.

So, where is the air inlet for the heating system??

I had a brain fart after I said air intake, I meant cabin air intake and that is via the pollen filter so like mentioned, turning off the heater controls would stop any 'bad' air coming into the cabin from the engine compartment.
Like CG mentioned, a little oil on the exhaust would cause fumes and get drawn in through the fresh air filter, or even the brake smell.
The fresh air intake I believe is the lower bulkhead.