Diesel Scent

[Rebel_Horseman]

Here's a philosophical question for ya'll.



Why does my Cummins' exhaust smell differently than my buddy's '94 Powerstroke, differnt from my boss' '00 Powerstroke, and my old Duramax's exhaust?



Me and my buddy, who is a diesel mechanic by trade, were discussing this last night. Any takers?



Reb [><]

 

[csevers]

There are probably a hundred different reasons, each engine can have it's own smell, I am sure design of the engine has a lot to do with it, DI or IDI and timing, catostrophic convertor, differences in fuel used, how much oil is burnt with the fuel. It all makes for a original smell.



Craig

 

[fkovalski]

Sorta' like different folks having different smells of thier farts

Also 'splains why some trucks are loud and some 'aint so loud.



(BTW- great response at that "other" diesel site sticking up for our CTD's, Brian. Thumbs up to you!)

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

:-laf

 

[ronco]

Reb, do the other vehicles have catalytic convertors on them? My truck smelled different stock than it does now after modifications. WHODATHUNKIT!



Ronco

 

[Ncostello]

Without any scientific evidence to back this up... I've always suspected it to be from the different burn temperatures and burn rates of each engine.

 

[BV]

Burn temps, EGRs, Cats and type of fuel could change the flavor of diesel exhaust.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Ever since I realized this a few years ago it seems there's at least a dozen different discernable exhaust scents. Some I like, some I do not. EMD 2-cycle locomotives really have a unique scent. One of the strangest ones I've smelled was a small 3-cyl. Onan generator, it hardly smelled like a diesel (very clean).



I will never forget what the diesels south of the border smelled like in the mid '70s even though I was only 8 years old. They really belched the smoke and the odor was very powerful and acrid, much different flavor than anything you smell today. I am sure the fuel was nearly crude in those days and sky-high sulfer content. Between the truck exhaust and twisty roads I got pretty sick between Mexico City and Veracruz.



Another very unique scent was my dieselified Briggs & Stratton lawnmower I posted about last summer. Spark ignited diesel-powered lawnmowers smell quite interesting, sorta like a gas/diesel mix although I had run several tanks of straight #2 (it was a PITA to get started but once it got going it ran great).



Vaughn

 

[jarsong]

Originally posted by Rebel_Horseman

Here's a philosophical question for ya'll.



Why does my Cummins' exhaust smell differently than my buddy's '94 Powerstroke, differnt from my boss' '00 Powerstroke, and my old Duramax's exhaust?



Me and my buddy, who is a diesel mechanic by trade, were discussing this last night. Any takers?



Reb [><]

Just had a though... Diesel Scent stink tree for the mirror... .

jarsong

 

[lil red cummins]

ROTFLMAO



was in salzburg austria 2 years ago. diesel is much more popular there. you can stand right next to any of them and they are not offensive. no headaches, no burning eyes. must be the formulation differences... . maybe it was just cause i was on vacation for the first time in 5 years!!??



jim

 

[Ray Torresdal]

differences

The old Mack's when started inside would drive you out in a hurry. My CAT wasn't much better. People who work in quarries will tell you about the differences! That was one of the reasons there were a lot of Detroit 2-strokes on early crushing equipment.



Ray