5.9 Exhaust Fumes

[HERBN]

My 2007 Dodge 2500 5. 9 diesel with 30,000 miles sometimes emits a strong exhaust odor that will spoil a persons day with side effects.

A little history about the truck is it is in warranty being serviced by a Dodge 5 Star Dealer who to date hasn't found any thing unusual that would cause this problem. They did find a code in the PCM and corrected it last service. I haven't encountered strong fumes of this nature in my lifetime of working on,around, & operating all types of engines on trucks,cars, tractors, A/C jets and recips. Prior to this purchase in order check out diesels I rented a 1 ton u-haul and test drove it into the Sierras while towing a 4 ton trailer and drove several dealership trucks same as this one and never had a problem with exhaust fumes or odor.

I have studied the TSB 09/02/00 dated Feb 18,2000 that Geno's made available and researched your web site and several others finding several 5. 9 and a 6. 7 with the same problem.

My questions are :1 Why some 5. 9 engines emit strong fumes and other owners of the same type truck say they never have experienced any unusual fumes or odors? Could it be the fuel air mixture?

2. Mopar oil is supposed to minimize the odor. It doesn't. I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place in regards to experimenting as my dealership is using Mopar specified oil. Any suggestions?

3. What I can't figure out is why Dodge won't let the dealerships relocate the draft tube or extend it back beyond the cab. If thats the odor problem it would resolve it once and for all as a few forum members and a service manger suggested and experienced.

4. I like the trucks power, handling, and the tolerable fuel mileage and can live wth the 4 speed transmission. I have to install a fifth wheel hitch soon,but. if I can't resolve the fumes/odor problem then I guess my only option is to sell it and buy a gaser. Thank you Folks . I would appreciate your input. HerbN

 

[Ducman82]

when are you smelling it? in a garage after driving?

 

[Wingate]

When first reading this thread, I was under the impression that it was a fuel smell coming from the exhaust. But the last half makes me think its the dreaded oil smell coming from the crankcase breather tube. There is a way to determine which place its coming from. Several manufacturers make a "sweetner" for fuel and for oil.

I've seen them in various scents.

You might try treating the fuel and see if it goes away. If its the oil, putting a different brand of oil in it usually stops it. When I bought my truck, I immediately noticed the strong oil odor. When it came time for the first oil change, I put Caterpillar 15w40 in it and the smell has never came back.

 

[abrankod]

On a semi-related/unrelated note, I wonder how many people besides me are more irritated by diesel exhaust from diesels with cats & dpfs than without... I'll tell you, as a diesel mechanic, I utterly despise the smell of diesels with cats and dpfs, there's much more of an acidy sulfury smell to the exhaust than a plain non-catalyzed exhaust.

-Dan

 

[Matt400]

May or may not be what you are after but this worked on my 03 and my 05

http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/images/PDFs/Blowby_Smell_Vent_Fix.pdf

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I just got my '06... when I run it hard and hop out, it STINKS like old sour oil... none of my other 3rd gens did (both were pre 04. 5)



I just changed the oil today for the first time. hopefully I won't smell that foulness again

 

[AH64ID]

On a semi-related/unrelated note, I wonder how many people besides me are more irritated by diesel exhaust from diesels with cats & dpfs than without... I'll tell you, as a diesel mechanic, I utterly despise the smell of diesels with cats and dpfs, there's much more of an acidy sulfury smell to the exhaust than a plain non-catalyzed exhaust.



-Dan

I agree, the smell of my exhaust now that my kitty is located in the garage is much more pleasant.

 

[Ducman82]

I also agree! hehehhe

 

[HERBN]

5.9 Exhaust Fumes and Odor

Thanks for your input.

The exhaust fumes/odor is excessive or stronger when I'm in heavy stop and go traffic at stop lights or stop signs towing or solo. I do notice it sometimes driving heat/air on or off. I rarely use heat or air as fresh air is my best source. When I have to temporarily park to open gates or phyisicaly check while backing I shut the eng off to reduce the fumes.

In the past years I've parked at truck stops with diesel engines operating next to me with no problems. Prior to this purchase the only diesel I could find to test drive was and old U-haul truck which I rented and connected to a large trailer and on the way to the Sierras the smoke was so bad you couldn't see the vehicles behind me,but, I drove it a few hundred miles windows down no problems or side effects. I also test drove a few 5. 9 diesels new and used 06 thru 07 and encountered no exhaust fumes or odors.

Towing my home on wheels seeing this great scenic nation of ours is what I enjoy most,but, sometimes the side effects of these fumes can spoil this travelors day or at least put a big kink in it and take the wind out of my sales. I really appreciate each and every responce and have downloaded them to study in depth as to hopefully get me back on the road again. Hopefully with a diesel. Thank you all. Herb N

 

[AH64ID]

Are the fumes the standard fumes you smell at the exhaust tip? But at the cabin?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

mine are not... mine smelled like oil... not burning oil, just stinky old oil.



I just changed it the other day, and the smell is gone, but I also haven't gotten it out on the highway and pushed it for 4hrs at a time

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

On mine, When on Idle, one whiff will make you SICK, with the Injectors, Box, and 5inch exh, it will make people scat,



Just yesterday there was a bunch of lookey-loos as my truck was backed into a stal rear facing the Hwy, where an accident had taken place, there were people on the sidewalk being Nosey as usual, I couldnt leave cuz the Fuzz was parked in front of me, so I asked the Shemale Deputy if she could lemme out, she said NO? ok, I waited in the truck IDLING and lemme tell you'all, everyone hovering around my truck ran when I started it,



JoeLee

 

[HERBN]

5.9 Exhaust Fumes Odor

Reply to questions. Carnival Worker described what I experience in the above post. AH64ID,yes Sometimes when the smell enters the cab its stronger than at the tip of the exhaust other times noticable enough to cause problems. A member posted his descripition as being acidic sulphuric is the same I experience. I don't experience burnt or old oil smell,but, these days with all the additives hard to tell what heated oil in the engine will smell like. Thanks again folks Its appreciated. HerbN

 

[AStrand]

I had that same smell on my truck also. I put on a turboback exhaust system and the smell went away. I was told the cat caused it and now that that is gone it smells like a real diesel.

 

[Regcabguy]

I had that same smell on my truck also. I put on a turbo back exhaust system and the smell went away. I was told the cat caused it and now that that is gone it smells like a real diesel.

My '99 was a REAL DIESEL without cat but with an Edge EZ and Mach 1. 6's. I consistently used Delo 15-40 CI-4 oil which I currently use in the new one. That truck damn near gagged me to death stopped at intersections or when I was standing alongside it while it idled. I was elated to upgrade to my clean running,cat equipped '07. Even overfueled with my Smarty it continues to emit not a fraction of the noxious odor of the '99. Perhaps it's less blowby,but I can say that neither vehicle used/uses a drop of oil between 5,000 oil changes. My buddy down the street remarked upon smelling my '07,"It doesn't even smell like a diesel!" Good.

 

[HERBN]

5.9 Exhaust Fumes/Odor

Thank you for the info on the cat system. I'll look into that. HerbN.

 

[HERBN]

5.9 Exhaust Fumes/Odor

Thank you for the info on the cat system I'll sure look into that. HerbN

 

[KLauber]

Run some good homemade veggie fuel through it and the lovely aroma of fried whatever will fill your nostrils and you'll forget all your troubles. Seriously.

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

Run a Straight thru system, and Turn up the Power, but make sure you drive with the windows up.



If Im sitting still anywhere for a moment,



IE: If Im driving a buddy to score some booze @ a Liquor store and take the Idle up to 1500-1800 RPM's, the Lethal Fumes will travel FAR, you cant see them, But they will make you Run...



JoeLee

 

[JSanchez]

Herb,

I extended the crankase vent tube all the way past the cab and my fume issue was gone. I also switched to Delo 15w-40 from the factory oil that came in my '04; this emits almost no smell that I find objectionable. I, too, couldn't stand the fumes prior to making these changes.