I recently had the Front End Exhaust replaced by the dealer on my 2008 model XJ. A few months after the work was done, I noticed substantial exhaust coming out from an opening low down between the Right Front wheel and the front bumper. It seems to be more noticeable after it starts from Cold. I first thought it might be water vapour, but it smells like exhaust fumes. Very puzzling. If I am sitting in the car with the driver's window open, I can smell it. Is that supposed to happen ? Not sure if this is related but the "Reduced Performance" warning has come on twice in the last 4 weeks of daily driving. On Restart, it went away. Interested in your feedback.

 

Take it back and ask them to fix properly.

 

Thanks Jim. I rang the dealer, explained the problem, asking them to check is out asap, hoping I could bring it in today. The earliest they could do it is next Tues morning. One possible explanation given over the phone was that the warm air from the engine compartment was being expelled out the front and is more noticeable in the Cold. I'm not buying it and want it properly checked, especially after having spent so much on having it replaced 2 months ago. I do notice less Exhaust out of the 2 Rear Exhaust Pipes (although there is still some). I am open to any other suggestions or ideas. Thanks.

 

I wouldn't accept that explanation either. It sounds, from your symptoms, that something is blocked slightly though I fail to see how if all they have done is changed the front exhaust.
Hope you get it sorted.

 

It sounds like an exhaust leak. It allows air into the pipe, so you are likely showing a lean code, and therefore the reduced performance. The leak may be cooking components under the bonnet...so you need to fix it asap.

 

The dealer looked at it. The problem is Intermittent. It did not happen when I showed it initially, but I had a video from when it last happened. I just called them and I was told that it's "normal" and has to do with the exhaust gas being used to heat something or other - details are sketchy, since I only spoke to Reception. I hope to have more detail when I get to talk to one of the mechanics. Even if the exhaust is used to heat something, shouldn't it be self-contained and not allowed to pass outside the car ? The video is 19MB so it exceeds the 5MB limit for attachments. I might try to take another shorter video. The last "Restricted Performance" warning I had was 2 weeks ago and it's been driving fine since then.

 

Probably the Webasto heater, common on the diesels and usually happens at around 5c there or thereabouts.
Do a check around and you'll see what I mean, don't worry about it, happens on my XJ as well

 

The mechanic told me it was the "Fuel Fired Booster Heater". Nothing to worry about. It's Normal. They checked the exhaust and assured me it's all OK. Phew ! Jim's reference to Webasto could be the same thing. I took a screen shot of the video which clearly shows the "smoke" emission from the Right Front Corner.