Oil smell

[5thram]

Help! I changed my oil and filter last night, now I've got a strong smell of burnt oil when I pull up to a stop. I used the tried and true methods for removing the old filter (the ziplok bag trick) and I'm sure I didn't spill any on any manifold. I used a NAPA filter and Rotella 15w-40. It smells like oil has dripped on a hot metal part, but there is no leakage around the filter (yes, I did prime it, install it and wipe it clean) or from the drain plug. It smells strong when the engine is running, but not at all if the engine's off. Could it have something to do with the blowby canister? Is that the small jar-looking device near the fan on the front of the engine? If so, how do I get it off to check it? This is the first time I've changed my own oil. My dealer usually does it for $50, but I figured I'd save $20 and a 120 mile round trip. Anybody got any suggestions?

 

[Mr. Brewski]

Your expiriencing the dredded "Rotella Smell" - try switching to Delo, I hear it doesnt smell so bad.

 

[Michael Hughes]

The smell should go away in 300-500 miles.

 

[nps]

Probably the blowby bottle if there are no leaks or spills. Seems to get worse right after a change.



I took mine off. Got some 3/4" heater hose and a 3/4" garden hose repair coupler from home depot and ran the tube down to the frame rail and tied it off. Gets it under the fresh air intake.



The earlier Rams (like my '95) ran the hose down with no bottle. Guess the bottle is an enviromental thing about not dripping any oil out. I see no drips in the drive and no smell at a stop.

 

[RAMalama]

Yep, I've been using Rotella in my 12v for six years and my 24v since new. You always will get that smell just after the oil change but like it's been said, it goes away inside your first 500 miles

 

[Mr. Brewski]

After 2000 miles on this panfull of rosmella I can still smell the stuff outside of the truck. I'll try delo on the next change.

 

[5thram]

Thanks a bunch, O learned ones. I can live with it as long as I know I haven't screwed something up. Maybe there's some kind of perfume I can pour in there until I get my money's worth out of this cycle... . Henry

 

[socal_rattler]

I also use Delo and after my first oil change, I 'got the smell', but it went away after a short while.

 

[WOWZY]

After every oil change I get the smell also, but still find myself checking for leaks anyway. Can't be too careful.

 

[swampbug74]

you just have to love that smell tells you whenn the oil is new and it does go away. that little bottle in front is very easy to take off loosen the strap and unscrew the top of the bottle and empty it out. just don't tip it it has holes in the top of the bottom.

 

[Big White Beast]

I love all the info around here!

The last time I had the oil changed I thought they screwed something up. Took it back insisting they messed something up.



Took a couple days and the smell went away. Now I know what caused it. No worries next time



Garrett

 

[fj40charles]

Personally, I don't find the smell all that objectionable. I wonder if

other vehicles around you at a stop light might think your truck had a really smelly fart or something when they smell... ...



I'm sure the engineers at Shell have gotten lots of complaints about the smell, but why is it still there??



Just curious... .



Charles

 

[Ray J]

Originally posted by nps

Probably the blowby bottle if there are no leaks or spills. Seems to get worse right after a change.





The earlier Rams (like my '95) ran the hose down with no bottle. Guess the bottle is an enviromental thing about not dripping any oil out. I see no drips in the drive and no smell at a stop.

I ran my 3/4 hose straight down also. Have never seen any drips in driveway or any other place. Maybe once a month I check the hose end and wipe off the small bit of residue that has collected there.

 

[vinconco]

Check the hood gasket next to the air intake. It has a habit of slipping off.

 

[Thomas]

A Heavy Oil Or Fuel-Like Odor Coming From the Diesel Engine Compartment



TSB 09-02-00 may put your fears to rest.

 

[Bob Cochran]

My cowl seal was loose after a few hundred miles. Smell in tuck was much better after sticking back on. I use Delo and after oil change for a few miles when you get out of truck you can smell oil. I have about 19,000 on mine. Still have blow bottle in OEM location. I have heard all the ideas about relocation etc. Have nto made up my mind how I will move or modify it yet!!!

 

[1 ALC]

Cowl Gasket

This is common on these trucks, I believe.



I cleaned mine, both the gasket, and the cowl itself, and then applied some 3M weatherstrip adhesive.



I't sealed now - but that wonderful smell still comes tyhrough

 

[dan_gilson]

A suggestion...

I found a while back that if I did not

fill to the full mark on an oil change

the smell was greatly reduced.

So what I do now is fill 1 qt

short on the change and wait 1 to 2 fuel

stops and then fill oil to full mark.

Remember that the "add" mark in the

oil dip stick is 2 quarts down.

So when I fill after a change I make it

1/2 way between the "add" and the "full"

marks.

 

[redneckdr]

crankcase breather bottle

just in from lovin' the goat, and will post this before the shower. crankcase breather bottle is GONE!! went to the parts store and bought a crankcase breather filter, Hastings #CB27, and removed the bottle. ran about 8' or so of 5/8 in heater hose back to about the transfer case. fit the filter on the end of the hose, and to keep water out of the filter and to direct the fumes away attached about a foot of 3/4 in heater hose. wire tied all down, and away from harm. when i passed the steering shaft diverted thru the shock mount. changed the oil and put in new Rosmella T and guess what? no smell in the cab. can sure smell it outside though... ... .....

btw , doing it this way, the hose has no low spots--runs downhill all the way

 

[David Wheeler]

Air conditioning and "the smell" tip

Just a helpful tip for those using Rotella and utilizing their air conditioning... ... set your air selection for "recirculate" rather than "fresh" air. Stops drawing that "smelly" air into the cab until it goes away in a couple of hundred miles. Hope this helps!



David