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maxwell11's avatar
maxwell11
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015

how to get rid of diesel smell inside of cab

I had a fuel line break on my 2005 dodge diesel pickup

sprayed fuel all under the truck and the motor area.

leak is repaired and truck runs great.

but, I now have the smell of diesel fuel inside the truck each time I drive the truck.

I took it to a car wash, sprayed under the truck, clean outside good.
borrowed a few of her bounce laundry sheets, placed them around inside the cab, but it appears to be coming from the heater AC unit.

I do not know where the air inlet to the heat/AC system is located, maybe in front of the windshield as there is a vented cowl in that area.

anyone have an idea to rid this odor?

16 Replies

  • You will have to remove the cowling and reach in/down wipe the area down with a degreaser or spray nine, simple green, Citrol (best)... air intake for the truck cab heater is on the passenger side. After cleaning use some Nil odor, couple of drops in the cab should help.
  • maxwell11 wrote:
    I had a fuel line break on my 2005 dodge diesel pickup

    sprayed fuel all under the truck and the motor area.

    leak is repaired and truck runs great.

    but, I now have the smell of diesel fuel inside the truck each time I drive the truck.

    I took it to a car wash, sprayed under the truck, clean outside good.
    borrowed a few of her bounce laundry sheets, placed them around inside the cab, but it appears to be coming from the heater AC unit.

    I do not know where the air inlet to the heat/AC system is located, maybe in front of the windshield as there is a vented cowl in that area.

    anyone have an idea to rid this odor?


    New truck? ;)

    Diesel smell is one of a few things that would survive a nuclear blast :E

    Most likely sprayed the fresh air intake or nearby for the heat/AC system which is typically found on the passenger side cowl under the windshield..

    Not sure how your vehicle is setup but newer Fords have a plastic trim/cowl held in place with screws.. If cowl is removable you could try scrubbing down in a bit to see if it fades any..
  • Hi! Good Luck. I had an '85 F-350, Once the diesel oil gets into the fabric is there forever. When I first got it the local fuel pit would give out plastic gloves to keep the fuel off your hands. That didn't last long.
  • Fresh ground coffee absorbs gasoline smells might work on diesel - will make your rig smell like coffee for a while but I love coffee so no big deal.
  • Take it to a buddy's shop who has a lift, put it up on it, spray down w/ degreaser all over the place (incl engine compartment) and wash. Have you tried coffee grounds placed in alum foil inside cab?
  • It is hard to get rid of if it was on the ground you could use kitty litter but under the truck wash several times you could try baking soda. I got it one some shoes they have been in outdoors for a month. Good Luck