Strange exhaust smell and other issues

[THolland]

For whatever reason, especially for the first several minutes, when I start the 2006 truck is has the strangest exhaust smell, really hard to take when your in the area of the exhaust. Could it be a converter?



Also, just recently I've lost power, and have a rough idle. I took it to the dealership, the said the would need to replace the lift pump (at my expense since they found dirt in the filter housing) and do additional testing to see if it's an injector problem. Do you thing they're just trying to give me the run around? I pulled the filter, cleaned the housing and bumped the starter without the filter in place. The filter housing filled up really quick... ... . doesn't seem like a lift pump problem to me.



Oh, the truck has 89K miles and is stock... ... . I had one of the cheapass diesel modules on it for a while but removed it several thousand miles before this problem.



Sorry for the novel... ... any help is appreciated!!



I sure miss the 12 valve days!

 

[THolland]

Okay, I just made a spool peice hose and was able to check lift pump pressure..... it's right at 10-11psi. Is that enough?

 

[JCasper]

That's plenty of pressure



How is your oil level?



Could be a bad injector

 

[THolland]

Oil was just changed but I'll check again. It's sounding more like a bad injector everday... .....



The Don Davis dealership in Arlington tells me that they can't/won't touch it unless I let them replace the lift pump, even though I told them what the pressure is reading.



On another note..... I found a recall/TSB that mentions a problem in the 06 with the roll over valve creating potential water in the fuel tank issues. It references the 8th digit of the VIN being a "C". I ask the service manager about the issue and he said my vehicle wasn't included in that recall (No. F19). Any suggestions on where to go with this problem? It's possible that this could have been the core problem to begin with.



Any help/direction is appreciated.



Thanks,

 

[JCasper]

Oil was just changed but I'll check again. It's sounding more like a bad injector everday... .....



The Don Davis dealership in Arlington tells me that they can't/won't touch it unless I let them replace the lift pump, even though I told them what the pressure is reading.



On another note..... I found a recall/TSB that mentions a problem in the 06 with the roll over valve creating potential water in the fuel tank issues. It references the 8th digit of the VIN being a "C". I ask the service manager about the issue and he said my vehicle wasn't included in that recall (No. F19). Any suggestions on where to go with this problem? It's possible that this could have been the core problem to begin with.



Any help/direction is appreciated.



Thanks,

I do think that could of been the problem from the get go



Find a different dealer

 

[THolland]

Anyone have a clue on the exhaust smell? Could it be a Catalytic converter going bad?



I'm taking it to a diesel performance shop in the morning to have the injectors checked.

 

[jelag]

In the winter, with snow on the front cowl below the windshield and wipers, the fresh air system is affected and the fresh air system can draw in air from the engine compartment... my 04, 04. 5, 05 and 08 have a burnt diesel smell or hot engine smell when the hood and front cowl is covered with snow... . once this is cleared the odor goes away. . If I'm wrong someone will correct me but I just assume its the fresh air system be obstructed... . Does your truck sit outside at night in snow and ice??

Because the dealers have been quick to say, that dirt in the filter is reason for denial of service we've installed a 10 micron course filter and a 2 micron secondary filter in the fuel line under the cab... its on all my trucks... including 3 other trucks not listed here... . My 08 is out of warranty but they are doing a in warranty repair on it today and tomorrow as its had the same problem for 3-4 trips to the dealer over the past 50K miles and they still don't have it fixed... . (Headlights, and turn signals work when they want... . ) We had a billet assembly made for us... and we use large filter assemblies that hold at least a quart of fluid... to date the 08 has the most miles on this set up with close to 50K with no problems... .

Its my personal thought that the dealer can't deny you service from a filter that doing its job... but I often wonder if there isn't 2 work orders... one you pay, and one the factory pays... of course we understand this is fraud... . but who really knows...

 

[THolland]

Thanks Jim... ... ... . I'm in the Dallas Ft. Worth area..... hardly ever snows here. The smell isn't coming from the front or cab area, it's only around the rear of the truck, specifically the exhaust area. I've just never had a goat that smelled that bad. It will take your breath away.



Thanks... ... . I'll update as soon as I know more.

 

[JCasper]

It could possibly be a cat converter going bad. If it were me I'd take it off. Mine fell off about 2 years ago and has not found it's way back.





I think you have something else going on though. Hopefully the diesel shop you chose can diagnose better then the *******

 

[jelag]

JCasper..... I've been following OR DEQ, and WA Vehicle Inspection... . it looks like changes in testing will require all vehicle factory installed emission control devices be on the truck and working... much the same as it is in CA... . is that cat going to find its way back to your truck the next time your tags are due...

 

[mberry]

THolland,

That smell, to me, is completely normal and occurs all the time for me. I have learned to not be near the rear of the truck, especially when it is cold as that seems to make the smell stronger. It is a very strange smell and can be very strong sometimes. The smell to me, as close as I can form the words, is sweet ammonia. I know there is no such thing but that's how I would describe it.

 

[JCasper]

JCasper..... I've been following OR DEQ, and WA Vehicle Inspection... . it looks like changes in testing will require all vehicle factory installed emission control devices be on the truck and working... much the same as it is in CA... . is that cat going to find its way back to your truck the next time your tags are due...

If it has to it will



My donaldson is acting up anyways, it rattles now



Currently my truck is exempt because it's over 8,800GVW.



When is this going in place, do you know? Where'd you find it.

 

[THolland]

Thanks mberry... ..... I think you nailed it! I'll scratch that one off the list.

 

[THolland]

Well... ..... it turns out it was the lift pump and injection pump... .....



They told me I did have dirt and water in the tank too! Maybe I jumped the gun on bad talking the dealership.



One last thing though..... I found this on this website



CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION NO. F19

ROLL-OVER VALVE VENT HOSES

'06 DH Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup and Cab-Chassis

'06 D1 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup and Cab-Chassis

This notification applies only to the above vehicles equipped with a 5. 9 liter Cummins diesel engine (C in the eighth VIN position) built through February 1, 2006. The roll-over valves on about 69,300 of the above vehicles may allow water to enter into the fuel tank. Excessive water in the fuel can damage the injection pump and/or injectors if the engine is off for an extended period of time.



Repair: A vent hose must be installed at each tank roll-over valve (ROV). The fuel system must be inspected for excessive water content. If excessive water is found, the water must be removed and the fuel filter must be replaced.



But the dealership says it doesn't apply to my truck. My truck does have a "C" for the 8th digit. Any thoughts on where to go from here?



Thanks to all!!

 

[Kday]

With that info I'd pick a different dealer, there's definitely good and bad out there.

 

[HERBN]

I just wanted to add my two cents worth as I can identify with your start up fumes problem as I have the same fumes not only on start, but, most of the time that also works its way into the cab. I posted a thread previously and one of the members said it best. Pungent, sulfuric, acidic, sickning smell. A exhast manufactur added the sickening. I have followed the members expert advice keeping within the warranty perimeters and still have the fumes and it is defnitely exhaust. The smell I can deal with,but, the side effects may cause me to go back to gas. On my thread the cat converter came up and I see on your thread also. My question would be who checks these cat converters as the smog shops around here haven't heard of a test for diesels. I have a 2007 Dodge 2500 5. 9 with 27,000 miles. I've talked to several 2500 5. 9 owners having similar year and mileage telling me they never had problem with fumes. HerbN

 

[JBallou]

My exhaust smells like the truck runs on a diesel, and propane mix. Got to use one nose and smell a few trucks tail pipes just like a dog.....

 

[abrankod]

I say it all the time at my shop, I hate the smell of a catalyzed diesel exhaust... Makes my damn eyes water and chokes you like nothing else. Its annoying as hell, and perfectly normal. The trucks with DPFs smell even worse.



-Dan

 

[HERBN]

HerbN

I agree with abrankod on the smell,but, my question I've been trying to find and answer to for the last six months is how that smell works its way into the cab with the driver window open at stop signs idling. Wind direction doesn't make much difference. 90% of my driving is with windows open. Windows closed air or heat and fan on pulls in the fumes into the windshield water drain vents and I complyed with the suggestion of sealing the ducts under the cowl. I seal the windshield water drain ducts behind the fender wells on the bottom side and the inside of this cab is like breathing clean mountain air until a window is opened. It is defnitely is not the draft tube. Its like a fan inside is pulling the fumes in the cab with the window open. Turn down and straight exh tips don't help. HerbN.