08 columbia, extreme diesel smell in exhaust.

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by brsims, Oct 14, 2014.

  1. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    So here is what it is. I'm currently stuck in a 2008 freightshaker columbia (mercedes motor) that is shoving exhaust fumes into the sleeper and cab during idle. Plus, there is an extreme diesel odor to exhaust. Frankly, the truck made me sick (headache, sore throat, burning eyes, nausea, and spells of dizziness).

    I put the truck into the shop, they can't find any evidence of an exhaust leak but have noticed the extreme deisel smell and can smell it in the cab and sleeper.

    Anybody got any clues or experience with this?
     
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  3. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    Regen engine? I'd check the doser valve. The usual failure is for them to get plugged up, but it could leak fuel into the exhaust if it doesn't seal when closed.
     
  4. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Had a forced regen done last week. Just found out the company is refusing to put any more money into the truck, and I'm not driving a truck that is making me sick. Gonna be an interesting conversation with dispatch tomorrow, methinks.
     
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  5. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Get a new shop and your right to refuse driving it.. Back in the mid90's I had one with bad valve guides and a small leak I got lucky and woke up but spent 2 days in hospital till blood levels were better .. To this day I can't stand the fumes I'll move my truck if guy next to me has a apu blowing exhaust my way nobody's life is worth taking a chance driving with a exhaust leak which is a out of service if I'm not mistaken
     
  6. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    As I said, company is done spending money on this junkheap. Can't blame them either. Bloody thing has been nothing but a money pit since I got it.

    Talked to dispatch today, and last I heard they are tryong to get a newer truck to me. I explained to them this one is too dangerous to drive down to Memphis (I got dizzy just running from the house down to the dealership, about an hour's drive) and I'm still coughing up a lung. As soon as they figure something out, I'll be good to go.

    As far as this truck goes, blasted thing is a lemon. Constantly in the shop, always breaking down. Money spent on it is just a waste, in my opinion.
     
  7. DustyRoad

    DustyRoad Road Train Member

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    There is a leak in the exhaust pipe connection, sometimes only apparent after the engine has been allowed to reach normal operating temperature, either at the engine manifold or at the connection to the stack. If it has a DPF it could be at the connector to that unit. even a small leak can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and could lead to asphyxiation.

    Do not run the truck while sleeping with out having the windows slightly open to allow fresh air to recirculate. This problem is fixable and you company is responsible for ensuring it is taken care of . You also have the responsibility to not operate a vehicle if it is found to be dangerous.

    I would try to issolate the problem and show it to the mechanic (Certified to work on Deisel Engines) only if the owner is willing to pay for the repair, if not, I would quit and go work for a legitimate company.
     
  8. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Request a second opinion at a weigh station; Recall, these tickets are 10 day fix it tickets that require the Carrier to sign off work completed. eh, myself i would remain silent on what prompted the inspection. (these issues are not an out of service issue).:biggrin_25511:

    some issues: exhaust manifold or leaking egr line...these are close to the cabin air intake


    this song just works for me:

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
  9. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    There is a bushing in the engine brake. Basically a throttling butterfly (like the heat riser on an older gasoline car or pickup engine) valve in the exhaust manifold. The bushing goes out and eventually the actuator will freeze the valve shut. And then you can wire or tie it open so it will still move.
    The brake will shut you down if it doesn't open, and the truck will still idle. Fixing it made a world of difference,both in odor in the cab and braking performance.


    I drove with the windows cracked open an inch or 2, until I figured it out, and if you have any respiratory issues, it is not a good thing. A friend with emphysema darn near died trying to sleep in his.
     
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  10. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    The company is working on having it moved down to Memphis (no, I will not be driving it. That has already been ruled out by the office staff. They take excellent care of the drivers here) and I'm getting another (thank god newer!) truck.

    Please understand, while I appreciate the concern (I'm fine, and my condition was the first concern at the office), I didn't post the question to make my company look bad in any way. It was simply my own curiousity about possible causes of this breakdown. I may have mis-phrased when I stated the company's decision to not burn any more money on this truck. This POS has been in the shop on an almost weekly basis with one thing or another, and has cost more (in my opinion and no one else's) more than its worth. Every time, the company has been "johnny on the spot", if you will, about getting it fixed and back on the road. I know this truck has cost more in repairs than it has earned.

    On the other hand, it is a local truck assigned to Pittsburgh, and we all know local trucks that do nothing but city driving take a much greater beating than road trucks. They also don't earn the company (in this case, anyway) even close to as much in income as the road fleet. Certainly, you don't want to put a new truck (which you are still paying on, if you are financing your fleet) into a city driving only position. Your new fleet trucks need to be out on the road earning as much incoke as they can to keep your company financially fluid.

    The good news for me is that they have a 211 series fleet truck they can take out of the fleet (paid for, due to be traded in anyway) and dedicate as the new Pittsburgh city truck. Now its just a matter of getting me and the new truck together, and getting the old junker moved back to the home terminal.

    There are many reasons why I really enjoy working for the company I do. This is just one of them. Most of the other outfits I fan for in the past would've told me to either drive the truck or piss off. My company made sure I was alright before anything else was done. Beat that, all those "bottom feeder incorporated" outfits!
     
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