I have a 09 Focus Tdci. I've been smelling quite a strong smell of diesel whilst getting in and out of my car for the past couple of days and though maybe I'd spilt a bit the other day whilst filling up, however it has now started coming through the vents and has got stronger and stronger.

It's been happening for 3-4 days now and today's the first time I've got back from work early enough to catch the light to have a look under the bonnet. I took the engine cover off the top and couldn't see anything too obvious but there was definitely fuel leaking from somewhere. I turned my engine on and still nothing, but then I put my foot down on the accelerator and WHOOSH, a big cloud of vaporising diesel shot up from behind the engine block, it's mid centre just behind and down from where the fuel supply/return pipes disappear downwards.

It's got too dark to do anything now so will have to have another look tomorrow whilst it's light.

I'm thinking it could just be a seal that needs replacing? Has anybody/does anybody have an idea of what it could be and whether it's an easy fix or is it going to have to be a garage jobby?

could be as simple as the fuel return seal, but I get that smell on occasion, though I havent got anyone who can rev it so I can watch from the engine block lol.

is it cold starts, warm starts, or any start that you get the smell, and is it just for the start, or is it also all the time the engine is running.

The alternative is it could be the EGR that you are seeing the smoke from?