2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Strong exhaust smell

[scz28]

I am getting a strong exhaust smell inside the cab of my truck at idle and while moving with the vent or AC on. It is abnormally strong and not like this on our 97 Ram or 00 Excursion.



WHere are the first places I should check for the leak into the ducting system or are there common causes?

 

[RonaldLarson]

Easy one

Lift your hood, and check the cowl seal for position. They often slide out of position and allow the underhood air to enter the cab. Just straighten it, and push it back onto the edge of the cowl pinch weld area, and it should solve the problem.

Ron

 

[Bob Cochran]

My cowl seal off within 2 weeks of getting truck. Put back on with some adhesive used for door seals and such. Never came off again!!! No need to us a lot just a dab here and there.

 

[scz28]

Just checked the cowl seal and it was intact. Any other ideas on where the smell could be coming from?

 

[Big White Beast]

Blow by bottle......

If your trucks new enough or you just changed the oil it smells pretty strong. Most people remove the bottle get a length of 3/4" hose and a barb to barb fitting. Then extend it down to the track bar and tie it off.



I get an occasional drip of oil from it but it stops it from getting that spray all over the engine.



Garrett

 

[scz28]

Re: Blow by bottle......

Originally posted by Big White Beast

If your trucks new enough or you just changed the oil it smells pretty strong. Most people remove the bottle get a length of 3/4" hose and a barb to barb fitting. Then extend it down to the track bar and tie it off.



I get an occasional drip of oil from it but it stops it from getting that spray all over the engine.



Garrett

Truck is new and I just did the oil but the smell was there before and after.



Are you talking about relocating the breather overflow bottle?

 

[Big White Beast]

That's the one..........

As far as I can tell it serves no useful purpose where it's located. Heck if you don't clean the bottle it drips anyway. Trust me, after I relocated the bottle I didn't even get the smell after an oil change with Rotella (or Rosmella as its fondly refered to).



Garrett

 

[bighammer]

I'd double check your exhaust manifold, turbo, and exhaust pipes for leaks. You shouldn't have that much exhaust smell up front.

 

[JR2]

I lost a bolt out of my exhaust where the down pipe connects to the turbo and it made my truck smell like exhaust at start up.



It was my fault as I installed a new turbo and forgot to tighten up the bolts when I was done.



You might look at that connection.

 

[RADdodge]

There was a TSB on exhaust bolts backing out. You might want to check yours.