Diesel smell.

[Tom A.]

I've just bought a 2000 406 hdi and am very pleased with it but there's a smell of diesel inside the car.
I've checked for leaks and can't find anything and there's nothing left on the floor when I move it.
Car starts and runs very well. Any ideas where the smell could be coming from?
Thanks in advance.

[clanless]

check the rail fuel pressure sensor - run your finger under it after a drive and see if there are any signs of diesel on your digit.

check the sump area for any signs of diesel.

easy fix, if this is the problem - simply tighten up the sensor.

[davidireland]

The seal is leaking on the tank unit. Take up the rear seat and check.

[Tom A.]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I've had the seat up and sure enough it's coming from there.
Over the tank is a metal plate pop riveted to the floor pan so I can't see under it till I take plate off at weekend.
Is there a fuel pump or sender unit in the tank and is it likely just to be the gasket?

[davidireland]

Fit a new black nut and the o-ring under it. That should sort you.

[Tom A.]

I've had the plate off and everything is bone dry around the intank pump.
It's the seat base that's covered in diesel.
Only guessing and I'd like to know what you think but car had a new pump fitted a couple of months ago and I was wondering if when the pipes were taken off diesel could have squirted up onto seat? Is the diesel in the pipes under pressure?
I'm after a new seat base now.
Thanks for now.

[davidireland]

Yes the fuel is under pressure coming out of tank unit.