Exhaust smell is very likely to be cracked manifold...common issue.
Engine would have to be dropped and the manifold replaced or welded.
Cost should be 1/3rd or less- my experience of an engine out job.
More importantly you will want to carry out other repairs when engine is out that could be added cost- alternator/coupling/compressor/water pump etc

 

NEVER EVER BUY ANY TOUAREG WITH KNOWN ISSUES.

And whilst that advice applies to ANY Touareg, it means you don't walk away from a duff V10, you RUN even if you think you are handy with the spanners.

 

Respect your anti used Touareg views Nooby but i feel differently.
Especially in this case where there is complete record of every service.

Get it for a good price and spend the approx $5k and enjoy an exceptional vehicle- nothing like it, believe me i have had 2006 V10 for 12 yrs now.

 

I'm not anti used Touaregs, just used with known problems since we all know they can be bloody expensive to fix so there's no point in taking on what can be a time and money pit.

Better to spend time finding a good car that doesn't need the engine out on day one!

 

I'm not anti used Touaregs, just used with known problems since we all know they can be bloody expensive to fix so there's no point in taking on what can be a time and money pit.

Better to spend time finding a good car that doesn't need the engine out on day one!

And is that good car a Touareg ?
How reliable is your Touareg?


regards
Drag

 

Thanks for the info. I am very hesitant to purchase this vehicle given the legendary service costs associated with these trucks. With that said, I would hate to see this truck scrapped or tossed aside. It is an exceptionally clean and well sorted example in every other respect. The miles are higher but the care given is very apparent. She just spent $4000 having the dealer replace all glow plugs, injectors and de-soot the intake and throttle bodies two months ago and is frustrated with having to spend another 5-10k in service.

I could realistically get the truck for around $7000 then spend another $5k in having the engine out service performed then have a solid truck, until the next thing goes bad.

Appreciate the info.

 

If you have all the history then you’ll know ehat exactly to do for the engine out.
It should be pretty solid then.
You asked so I say go for it, especially at that price!

 

I agree it is a shame to let a car like this get scrapped but head should rule heart on the money front here!.

Initially I thought you'd suggested you were handy with the spanners but re-reading your posts it seems you'd be getting others to do the work in which case you will be paying for both parts and time and, with your Land Rover experiences, you will already know how the bills can mount up.

The Touareg is a nice car and the V10s and W12s are fabulous supercars, the former matched by the later V8 Tdi which is even nicer.

However the old buggers are getting long in the tooth so it can be pot luck what goes tits up - or not - on them next.

Someone asked how I rate Touareg reliability.

None of the Touaregs have broken down on the road and in percentage terms I assess their reliability like this:

2 x T1 3.2 petrols totalling 240K - 85%
1 T3 3.0 Tdi diesel with 100K- 100%
1 T4 3.0 Tdi diesel with 30K - 100%

Here's the best V10 rebuild thread in the world.

Have a look and see if this is the kind of thing, even just the engine out part, that you wish to take on.

https://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/...eardown-and-rebuild-repair-of-the-distribution-of-a-touareg-v10-frex-73289.html

 

I am quite handy and perform most of my own repairs on the Rovers I own but this is a whole different animal. I simply don't have equipment to handle the weight of the components involved.

I'll continue to mull this over. Looking around for quotes from independent shops. Any recommendations in Orange County SoCal area?

 

It's a pity to let it go but you need a good friend or family mechanic to undertake this job. or you need to be there and be ready to spend more money. If you're giving it to someone to fix you're going into trouble.
Try at least to confirm the leak and see if you cannot fix it without engine out.