Sharp smell from passenger side of engine after shut-off

[jwynnejr1]

I've been noticing a sharp smell coming from the passenger side of the engine right after I cut it off. It doesn't quite smell like diesel, but maybe emissions? You can only smell it after it's shut off and only from that one spot at the grill. Is this a normal smell?

 

[G. Mcpherson]

Possibly doing a regen at the time of shutting it off.

 

[bellaireroad]

Are you missing your cat?


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[TC III]

Sometimes my emissions smell pretty bad too.

 

[jwynnejr1]

Possibly doing a regen at the time of shutting it off.

Well,
It has been consistently happening just about every time I shut it off since I've bought it. It now has 5,000 miles on it.

 

[jwynnejr1]

Are you missing your cat?


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Don't have one. Maybe the neighbor's? I could only wish.

 

[jwynnejr1]

Sometimes my emissions smell pretty bad too.

I'd be concerned if they didn't!

 

[jwynnejr1]

Possibly doing a regen at the time of shutting it off.

I though regens only happened every once in a while, and that it would alert you in your dash.

 

[G. Mcpherson]

It depends on driving and I haven't ever seen a notification on my dash .

 

[mtnrider]

If I remember right I kind of had the same smell a few times in the first few thousand miles? Don't think it was all the time but do remember it. It does remind me of a regen smell but obviously it shouldn't be regening that often and this early. It might just be the DPF and SCR being new that is causing that smell. I'll bet it goes away soon.
Currently my truck regens about every 1100 miles give or take. Varies depending on the type of driving I am doing (city, highway, towing).
Your 2018 will not give you a message saying it is regening but I believe the 2019 trucks have added that. I use a separate app on my phone and a bluetooth OBD adapter to monitor mine now.



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[crash68]

I though regens only happened every once in a while, and that it would alert you in your dash.

You only get notice of a regen if there is a problem and you'll be prompted to keep driving the vehicle to complete a regen. This will happen if there have been multiple failed attempts to regen.
Normally you don't even realize a regen is happening unless you watch the fuel consumption and boost pressure closely. If you work the truck hard enough, the DPF stays hot enough to clean itself without having to actively regen.

 

[RamCares]

I've been noticing a sharp smell coming from the passenger side of the engine right after I cut it off. It doesn't quite smell like diesel, but maybe emissions? You can only smell it after it's shut off and only from that one spot at the grill. Is this a normal smell?

We certainly understand why this would be concerning, jwynnejr1. If you decide to address this with your dealer, please let us know via PM. We would be happy to have your concerns documented within our system as well as connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer.

Mark
RamCares

 

[jwynnejr1]

I've asked about this before, but wanted to refresh the topic. I've got a 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins with 8000 miles on the clock. After driving it (notice it more after pulling a trailer or driving semi-aggressively), I can smell a sort of burnt smell coming from the engine. Hard smell to describe. Doesn't smell like oil or diesel really. I notice it right in front of the air intake at the grill on the passenger side. It's not terrible, but it's noticeable when I walk away from the truck without passing directly in front of it. Every once in a while, I can smell it coming from my vents while driving when my air is not on recirc.

I've checked for soot around exhaust and turbo couplers. Everything is clean. Haven't found any fluid on or around the engine. Have checked using inspection mirror.

 

[Ken226]

I live in a very mountainous part of the country. NW Washington State, northeast of Bellingham in the North Cascades.

After any long haul up a mountain, like 10 or more miles up an 8+ percent grade, i notice the same thing. It took me a looong time to finally figure out what it was.

I noticed it in Fords, Chevys, Rams. Gas engines, deisel engines. Basically, every brand and type that my employers fleet has.

I took measurements with a laser thermometer of various parts of the engine before and after trips up the mountains

Driving awhile under heavy load gets the exhaust manifolds really, really hot. Like, at night you can see them glow level of hot. All the dirt, carbon, oil and everything else that accumulates on them over time, starts to burn off when i head up a mountain.

I bet your smelling something similar. Which side is your exhaust manifold on?

 

[mtnrider]

Truck is regening or recently did. Nothing to worry about.


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[NOV87]

I took measurements with a laser thermometer of various parts of the engine before and after trips up the mountains

Driving awhile under heavy load gets the exhaust manifolds really, really hot. Like, at night you can see them glow level of hot. All the dirt, carbon, oil and everything else that accumulates on them over time, starts to burn off...

I've asked this question before. Now, this makes sense. Everytime it's happened to me, it was in the mountains.

 

[jwynnejr1]

Truck is regening or recently did. Nothing to worry about.


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It happens every other day. Does a truck regen that often? Mostly flat driving and mostly in city.


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[jwynnejr1]

I live in a very mountainous part of the country. NW Washington State, northeast of Bellingham in the North Cascades.

After any long haul up a mountain, like 10 or more miles up an 8+ percent grade, i notice the same thing. It took me a looong time to finally figure out what it was.

I noticed it in Fords, Chevys, Rams. Gas engines, deisel engines. Basically, every brand and type that my employers fleet has.

I took measurements with a laser thermometer of various parts of the engine before and after trips up the mountains

Driving awhile under heavy load gets the exhaust manifolds really, really hot. Like, at night you can see them glow level of hot. All the dirt, carbon, oil and everything else that accumulates on them over time, starts to burn off when i head up a mountain.

I bet your smelling something similar. Which side is your exhaust manifold on?

It’s been doing it since brand new, so I’m not sure. Exhaust manifold is on passenger side.


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[mtnrider]

What does the dealer have to say about it? Use that warranty.


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[Burla]

I have driven too many diesels to remember, some smell and some don't. My HO Cummins smelled like diesel all the time. Bottom line if it bothers you, trace it back. Get some hose that fits in the nose and hot all of the possible spots. Here's another thing, sometimes it is fixable, and sometimes it's not, at least not easily solvable. If the smell is coming through the cab, you can attack it that way.