help if able.

[mtnfyre]

Ram 3500 cab and chassis with the 5.7 hemi, automatic, and 4x4. . knapedide flatbed on. . I bought the truck in november of 2024 with 25100 on the mileage clock. 31299 miles as of today

I have started noticing a hot smell behind the cab front of the bed. The gap between the cab and bed. It is heavier on the passenger side. no smell at all in engine compartment. i cant find anything at all. any ideas.

I have checked all fluids. No brake shimmy or pulling. no visible smoke or steam. this does NOT smell like coolant. this also does not smell like hot brakes. no electrical gremlins have reared there ugly heads. Everything works as it should.

I am at a loss.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Ram 3500 cab and chassis with the 5.7 hemi, automatic, and 4x4. . knapedide flatbed on. . I bought the truck in november of 2024 with 25100 on the mileage clock. 31299 miles as of today

I have started noticing a hot smell behind the cab front of the cab. heavier on the passenger side. no smell at all in engine compartment. i cant find anything at all. any ideas.

I have checked all fluids. No brake shimmy or pulling. no visible smoke or steam. this does NOT smell like coolant. this also does not smell like hot brakes. no electrical gremlins have reared there ugly heads. Everything works as it should.

I am at a loss.

Based on the way that you are describing the complaint as a hot smell originating from the right side of the truck and behind the can that makes me think that the catalytic converter is either running hot or overheating. Normally an overheating catalytic converter will set a DTC along with a corresponding MIL but I have seen quite a few that did not set a DTC.

Now, with that said, an overheating catalytic converter is usually an indication of a poor running engine and since you didn't complain about any drivability concerns I'm assuming that the engine is running good and strong.

My first question to you is how has the fuel economy been since this started?

Have you noticed a large dip in economy or performance?

Have you been fueling more often than before this started?

Can you see any visible overheating characteristics on the body of the catalytic converter? Blueing, discoloration, etc.?

Does your motor have the "HEMI Tick"?

Are you having to add oil or coolant?

 

[mtnfyre]

E erything engine wise is ok. No hemi tick. Not having to add anything. Fuel mileage has been pretty steady.

 

[Dean2]

Get it hot so it smells and use a point and shoot thermometer to locate the hot spot. Unless there is something obvious on the exhaust or Cat, check on top with a flashlight, there is not much we can do for you remote. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[Marshall]

I presume you are talking about under the front of the cab, not the inside, hard to tell from your post, inside, I could be dirt, dead mouse in the heater, had that on the honda, one time when still on the farm. Craw around under the truck and smell, if you haven't.
Dean had a good idea, I seen one of those temp things on sale at CT in Canada, it was cheap.
I have no clue what a Cad temp should be???

Check the brake rotor, it could be dragging. look for blue color

 

[62Blazer]

As stated above, where exactly is the smell? Hard to tell from the original post. Inside the cab? Outside or under the cab? Is it an hot electrical smell?
When you say cab and chassis with an aftermarket flatbed I always wonder what type of electrical splicing was done. Also if there are any other aftermarket electrical accessories. I've seen a lot of aftermarket stuff with some pretty crappy electrical splicing.

 

[mtnfyre]

Talked to a mechanic today that found what we believe is the problem. It is a exhaust leak at a clamp. Just got to.figure out the how and why so.i can fix.

 

[Tominator223]

You sure you didn’t run over a plastic bag & it’s wrapped around the cat.