5.9 Exhaust Fumes

[TimothyLong]

I used to notice that odor on my old '98. 5 after every oil change. It would go away after about 500 or so miles. I used Penzoil 15W-40 in that truck. I asked my Dad about that odor (he was the Chief Mechanic at a Cummins Dealer). He told me that it was an additive in the oil that caused it and that when I stopped smelling the odor, the additive had done what it was designed to do. He never said what the additive was that caused the odor and he is the only one that ever told me that. I never did any research on my own about it, so I can't confirm that what Dad told was correct. I always attributed it to the fact that the vent tube on that engine was directly above one of the transmission cooling lines and when that line would get warm any oil that dripped on it would burn off causing the odor. If I recall that engine did not take a full 12 qt. of oil. I'd always put a full 12 qt. in it and to me, the odor going away after 500 miles was when the engine had finished blowing the excess out. Since I got my '03, I switched to Valvoline Premium Blue. Use it in my wife's '04 too and haven't noticed the smell on either one of them.

 

[JoshuaCummins]

Has there been articles in the TDR magazine about extending the crankcase vent tube, perhaps?
I've noticed something similar to what the original poster was describing, and would like to get rid of it as well.

 

[HERBN]

Exhaust Fumes/Odor

JOSHUACUMMINS Answer to if extending the vent tube is in TDR magazine I checked # 59 and current # 62 and the on line archives and didn't see it,but, Matt400 posted on this thread on page 1. Click on web site he provided. It also may be in a previous TDR Magazine not sure. HerbN

I really thank you members again for the priceless, technical information and experience you shared on this exhaust,fumes/odor problem. Its just impossible to find a wealth of information that you provided and shared with all of us in the round table. In the old days it would have been trial and error or parts changer is a term I heard often, Its unbeliveable that this much information can be shared in such a short period of time and especially finding out I wasn't the only one having the problem. I have downloaded it all and will certainly take it all into consideration as I outline the corrective action to the problem or at least make it tolerable and run some many tests. I'll let you know the end results. Thanks again have a Great Holiday Season. HerbN.

 

[HERBN]

Herb N

The following is and update on the exhaust fumes in the cab. I did install the draft tube extenision, instead of taping the windshield water drain missing plug hole I ordered and installed a new plug and retaped the acess above it. I installed a twelve inch turndown tip, removed and installed a twelve inch straight tip. The Dodge dealer here has been great working with me in trying to resolve it. Last service they found a distorted catalytic converter inlet pipe that couldn't be torqued so they changed out the catalytic converter. Unfortunately the problem still exist. This week end I installed a thirty foot expandable duct on the exhaust to vent the exhaust down wind and went over every inch of the exhaust system inspecting for leaks running the engine at different rpms for two hours. In the first few minutes I found and exhaust leak which tuned out to be a 1/8 inch hole in the muffler I taped it for test purposes till I find out if it should be there or not then cotinued on with the test finding no leaks in any of the exposable pipes and ducts. Its the first time I could work around and inside with out exhaust fumes. We are still trying to wrap are brains around how exhaust fumes can travel from the tip of the exhaust into the cab driver side window while in stop and go traffic or stopped idling and also in the cab window closed heater or air and fan on. Its defnitely not the draft tube I've taken care of that with the help of TDR. After taping the muffler hole the problem still existed on the test drive. If you can think of any thing were missing let us know we appreciate it and thank you.

 

[tkerrigan]

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

Hey, the above worked on my truck also. Completely eliminated the oil smell at stop lights. I also turn a thick sock half inside out and zip tie the top of the sock over the toe. Makes a two layer filter that I zip tie on to the vent tube every oil change. No more oil stains on the bottom of the air filter and the engine stays much cleaner.

 

[macdaddy]

Herbn



I came into this post late. Man I dont know if your problem is with exhaust or the usual Crankcase oil issues, but ill tell you this I went through the same Bull**** with my 99 when it was new.



Now that was my first CTD and I was convinced it was a exhaust leak. Man they had the dash out. People hanging on in the bed sniffing away while it was being driven you name it we were all a bunch of idiots.



Then I found out the oil crankcase smell through this web site, of course i didnt log on for another 4 years but read the TDR regularly.



If you are already using CJ rated oil switch to the new Rotella 5w40 syn CJ. The smell is GONE. There web sites talks about the change.



I thought I was getting the CI4+, but got the CJ stuff on accident. But with the Rotella 5w40 syn CJ the smell is really gone.



I went back to Royal Purple 15w40 CI4+, Smells back.



Just a thought!!!!!!!!!!!



Mac

 

[EArp]

I will also go along with the other guys and recommend changing the type of oil you are using. I've been using the CI-4+ Delo and have had no issues with "foul smelling" odors. As has also been mentioned, there is a slight odor that persists for several hundred miles after an oil change, but after those couple hundred miles the smell disappears. My dad's previous '96 12 valve and his current '05 also do the exact same thing as mine.

 

[snuff]

all stock no smell

 

[BHaden]

Did you notice any better running/response/mileage without the cat?



TIA

 

[macdaddy]

Oh God Yes

Did you notice any better running/response/mileage without the cat?



TIA

I installed the T-409 Silverline Turbo back system with a gutted cat spliced in so it would pass visual Inspection.



I noticed big time power increases due to the ECM no longer defueling the motor on grades, theres a temperature probe on the exhaust side of the turbo which has an interface with the ECM. No really noticable changes with economy.



Cold mornings going to work I noticed a HUGE difference with respect to when the T stat opens.



Plus once you see whats in that little booger youll be amazed it can even run when at full boost.



Mac

 

[AH64ID]

I noticed big time power increases due to the ECM no longer defueling the motor on grades, theres a temperature probe on the exhaust side of the turbo which has an interface with the ECM. No really noticable changes with economy.

Not on your 05 there's not. The only temp the ECM knows or cares about is coolant, and if your hot enough to defuel from that there is something wrong... But the 5. 9 has NEVER had a factory EGT probe.

 

[macdaddy]

Not on your 05 there's not. The only temp the ECM knows or cares about is coolant, and if your hot enough to defuel from that there is something wrong... But the 5. 9 has NEVER had a factory EGT probe.

Then what is this wiring connection i see on the Turb I take your 05 doesnt have it????????



Mac

 

[macdaddy]

I just talked with Bob 4X4 and he explained what the dam thing is. I guess its some sort of bypass the aids the wastegate regulating boost



In any case theres a noticable gain in everything from throttle responce to climbing grades.



Mac

 

[HERBN]

Herbn

I wanted to respond to the crank case vent tube or draft tube. To check mine to make sure I separated the exhaust fumes from the crankcase vent odor I used a role of 3/4 in hose connected directly to the draft tube and hung the excess on the driver side mirrow and with aide of a little duct tape went down the road checking the smell as I was driving and stopped in idle. It was A burnt oil smell and much different than the exhaust fumes. As I said previosly I did extend the draft tube under the truck.

 

[AH64ID]

I just talked with Bob 4X4 and he explained what the dam thing is. I guess its some sort of bypass the aids the wastegate regulating boost



In any case theres a noticable gain in everything from throttle responce to climbing grades.



Mac

Yes that is an electronically controlled wastegate solenoid. It opens at about ~32psi and keeps the boost at about 28-32 under WOT. That is also on the intake side of the tubro and wouldn't have any way of knowing what the EGT's are.

 

[HERBN]

The following has made a big difference regarding the exhaust fumes in the cab especially with the windows open on my 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 5. 9 SLT Diesel. I complyed with your information in your posts by sealing up the hood cowl, installing the missing windshield water drain plug,the extenision of the draft tube that helped with the additional odor. The Dodge Dealership found the cat converter pipe distorted and leaking no soot, but, they found it on the lift with the engine running and replaced it. The local area diesel dealership manfactured a tail pipe tip for me, venturi type, that also really made a difference. I have taken a few trips in the past three months driving 4500 miles and the exhaust fumes windows open on the road and in stop and go traffic hardly noticable. I recently made my first oil and filter change on this truck using the sandwhich bag method and TDR instructions because I didn't find the 1 ltr bottle, next time. I used Delo Oil you folks suggested. Even with the sanwhich bag method very little mess. Thanks to you folks, Our Local Dodge dealer, and our expert Diesel Company owner I now am able to put this truck to work and these last trips mostly in the mountain towing and solo driving exceded my expectations. Thanks to you I won't have to go back to a gaser. HerbN

 

[R.Taylor]

I agree, My old rig did not have a cat when I got it..... It smelled wonderful like a diesel should. Now I have the same year 2006 2500 but a mega cab... . It's bone stock with the factory exhaust, That damn cat makes it smell like a polyethlyne refinery. It smells bad, really bad. Like a 40 year old can of oil based paint that has separated.

 

[Pistazie]

Sounds like this issue was resolved, but for anyone troubleshooting this same issue... I also had this same complaint, and when I upgraded exhaust manifold I think I found the problem: The OEM gaskets were a single thin layer of metal, except for one single gasket, which was a triple-layer. Must have been some assembly error. I switched to thicker felpro gaskets and have not experienced the problem since.

 

[Matt400]

The local area diesel dealership manfactured a tail pipe tip for me, venturi type, that also really made a difference.

Lets see a pic of that!

 

[HERBN]

Matt 400. Sorry I'm late getting back to you. I had computer problems. I don't have much experience on this picture sending business,but. I will try . It will take a little time as I have just returned from a trip and have 400 some pictues to process . For me and my truck this tip among the other things I mentioned above made a lot of difference. The residual fumes I'll live with. Before completing all the above items to me it was exactly what R Taylor posted even the Diesel Shop Owner who is into more commerical work on componets than pickups wasn't aware of the strong fumes put out by the cat and said on the test drive this exhaust really has a strong, sharp smell since they put the cats on these trucks. Herb N