Diesel Regen Smells

[demiles]

So how many of you catch a whiff of diesel/ regen at times in the cab? Is this just a issue with newer emissions trucks? The Titan XD is known to have the smell problem but riding in my BIL's 2016 Duramax over the weekend and I could smell it. It was not strong or constant but it was there occasionally. My BIL said he didn't smell anything.

[trail-explorer]

mowin wrote:
My '07 chevy smelled like bleach during the regen. Neighbors '08 is the same.

07 GM trucks (GMT800 platform) don't (didn't) have a DPF. DPF was introduced on the 07.5 model trucks (GMT900 body style)

[brulaz]

If you do notice it in the cab with all the windows closed, there may be an exhaust system leak. Should be looked at and fixed if possible.

Have seen a couple of discussions of this on a RAM forum.

[Me_Again]

We have had our 2015 Ram/Cummins for 16 months and 25K miles, and I am sure it has regen'd numerous times, however I have never been aware of them.

[mileshuff]

After 120,000 miles and 9 years on my 2007 Ram 6.7L I have never noticed any smell.

[whjco]

The odor issue is common for virtually every modern diesel vehicle during regen. Raw fuel is being injected into the exhaust system to clean the particulate filter. My 2015 Ram CTD stinks like a jet aircraft during regen and I'll smell it if I'm not moving and the wind is coming from the right rear. However, most of the time there's no odor from the exhaust of any kind and the tailpipe has absolutely no soot in it.

[1jeep]

im not really concerned about it, my last truck has 110k miles and never an issue relating to this. so in this truck ill just keep on driving and let it do its thing.

Thanks for the info though, I will keep it in mind ...yes I believe Lariat up all have the same screen on the gauge pod.

[NRALIFR]

1jeep wrote:
the only time I know on my ford is when it flashes what it is doing on the screen, but that only displays for a minute.

More like 10 seconds or less. It's very easy to miss the message if you're busy paying attention to what's in front of you.

Your dealer tech can enable an extra screen on the full message center that a platinum should have that will display the exhaust filter soot load %. That way if you miss seeing the initial message you can at least go watch the soot load go down as it cleans.

The screen that your dealer tech will enable is called "manual regen" or something similar, but it does NOT allow you to initiate a manual regen despite its name.

:):)

[1jeep]

the only time I know on my ford is when it flashes what it is doing on the screen, but that only displays for a minute.

[Wild_Card]

otrfun wrote:
When our '16 Ram 3500 regens, we notice a drop in realtime MPG's, along with a noticeable odor when we exit the truck.

Anyone know if there's a way to verify whether a regen is actually in progress by looking at the EVIC on a Ram?

Not without an aftermarket monitoring device, other than what you already know...drop in realtime mpg, fuel smell from exhaust and different tone from engine.

[otrfun]

When our '16 Ram 3500 regens, we notice a drop in realtime MPG's, along with a noticeable odor when we exit the truck.

Anyone know if there's a way to verify whether a regen is actually in progress by looking at the EVIC on a Ram?

[patriotgrunt]

I can never smell it in the cab but I can once I exit the truck or roll down the window. I could frequently smell it in my 09 Cummins while driving. It's a unique smell but it doesn't really bother me.

[Wild_Card]

3oaks wrote:

ACZL wrote:
The air exiting the tailpipe is cleaner than the air going into the engine as well.

I seriously doubt that!

The air we breathe goes into the engine. We wouldn't last too long breathing the air that exists any tailpipe. :E

Most importantly due to the fact the combustion process voids any o2...wont live long without o2

[justafordguy]

My 12 has a burning smell sometimes when I get out of the truck. It's coming from the right rear so I assume it's from the exhaust regen. It almost smells like burnt rubber.

[3oaks]

ACZL wrote:
The air exiting the tailpipe is cleaner than the air going into the engine as well.

I seriously doubt that!

The air we breathe goes into the engine. We wouldn't last too long breathing the air that exists any tailpipe. :E