Diesel Fume Smell Cummins vs. Competition

[jrandol]

Ok everyone, dont think I am crazy or anything but theres something about the smell of diesel fumes that I think is great. Mind you I dont go sticking my nose right up to the pipe but I have been known to roll the window down at a stop light and listen to a powerjoke or a maxipad and grab a wiff. (Especially when I am driving my wifes Explorer ) Is it just me or does the exhaust fumes smell different coming from a Powerstroke or a Duramax as compared to the Cummins. Am I just losing it or is there something to this?

 

[csevers]

Your not a lone!! I like the smell of diesel fumes more so in the cold morning. They do smell different from one make to another, probably has to do with the catostrophic convertor or the lack there of.



Craig

 

[Desperado]

Yes there is a difference in the smell, I think that it is the way they are injected not sure. I can tell you just by the smell if it is a Cummins, Powerjoke, Maxipad, or even one of the big Cats, Cummins, Detroit, or Mack, they all small different. Gotta love the smell of the Cummins though.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Just curious. Whats up with moscow in spud country?

I thought we were raised to believe the soviets were our bitter enemies. Not that I ever bought into that line of crap. I like to think for myself and communism is just a different way of counting money. A democracy communist government should be little worse than our own democracy capitalist.



I better watch it maybe mcartheyism is back in style. LOL.

 

[illflem]

Hey, there's a Baghdad in California also, better nuke 'em

 

[fj40charles]

Originally posted by illflem

Hey, there's a Baghdad in California also, better nuke 'em

Yea, I bet they all oppose George Bush. Too many liberals in Kalifornia.

 

[Blakers]

I've noticed all GM diesels smell the same - even the 4 cycles smell like 2 cycles. Why would that be? My Cummins smells a lot like my old Mercedes did and like my Cletrac diesels. Ford sure smells different.

 

[C. Harlan]

Maybe we should all get stickers that read:



DIESEL FUMES MAKE ME HORNY!!!!



I have seen it before on a Big truck... I have to agree that the older phurds (89-94) pre catastrophic converters stink something raunchy... . Gotta love the smell of Red Diesel in a Dodge... I heard it smells good!



-Chris-

 

[Rosco]

I don't care for the Powerstroke oder at all, It stinks. Also we have a 3208 Cat at work and that has it's own distinct oder, not a bad smell, just different. Cummins and Detriots are both .

 

[drees1]

That Smell

I, too love the smell of a fresh diesel. It is interesting all the different smells, 2 cycle Detroit, Prechambered IH and Navistar, Cummins, with and without the cataylst, CAT 3208. I think the catalyst smell off the Cummins is the best. Oh wait, that white smoke cold start prechambered VW, now thats powerful!! Like Jalapenos, you have to work up to it!!



When I worked at Cooper, many years ago, we did a lot of work with Southwest Research, in San Antonio, TX, a leading engine research firm. Once when we toured the labs they showed us some history from the 60's and 70's that included people identifing different diesels by exhaust smell. They sat people down in booths and they inhaled diesel exhaust through a tube and funnel arrangement. Everyone could I. D, which engine it was. I don't think they would do such an experiment today!!!



Doug Rees

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

drees1 that would be a fun experiment. Totally politically incorrect



I've noticed too a real variety of exhaust odors from different vehicles, so much so that hardly any two types/makes of engine smell alike. It's amazing how basic diesel fuel burning in a combustion chamber can come out so many different ways. You could call it "aromatic exhaust signature" or Brand x or y exhaust perfume



I have never liked the smell of the PSD either. I like the scent of the 12V Cummins a little better than the 24 valves. The '03s I haven't taken a good sniff yet.



The garbage truck that comes to the hospital smells really really good, oh baby! It's got the older, slightly rich odor, given off by the lower-pressure mechanical injection. I have no idea what engine make it was. Had a real truck exhaust smell



Vaughn