So I have a Peterbilt 579 2025, and sometimes there's this metal sounds that's coming under the hood. Usually it does it slightly when I press the pedal, let go of it and let the truck coast on its own, basically when driving slow at a truck stop and stuff. But I haven't heard it until today, and I've been noticing this white smoke with a weird sweet smell to it coming out of the drive axle of the truck. I do idle the truck all night so I don't know if that's one of the reasons that's causing it. It happens when the truck idle at 800rpm, so I push in the truck break and leave the trailer break out so the truck doesn't shutdown on me and my battery doesn't die. When I woke up in the morning, I release the truck break and it went idling at 600rpm to 800rpm and that's when the white smoke start showing, it does for about 30-45 seconds. Peterbilt do have that auto start button that start your truck when the battery is about to die, but it honk before doing that, and I didn't want to wake up drivers in the middle of the night, in deep sleep with it, and if it does it multiple times, people would start looking at me funny lol. So I wanted to hear you guys opinion on it, am I doing it wrong by idling all night and am I screwed with this truck or am I overreacting. I've attached a video for reference. Thanks!
https://youtube.com/shorts/BVHS2Kh9qz4?si=pcZzc4hHEhGc78wd
Peterbilt 579 2025 metal noise and white smoke
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by nextgentrucker, Mar 11, 2026.
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That's not a normal sound. Look at the belts and pulleys closely with engine off to see if something looks worn. With engine running look at belts and pulley to see if any of them are wobbling. You can also throw a little water on each belt and pulley, one at a time, and see if it causes the sound to change.
Last edited: Mar 11, 2026
Walk Among Us, D.Tibbitt, Flat Earth Trucker and 1 other person Thank this. -
It would be better if you tilted the hood. You do know it tilts….. right ?
dunchues, IH Truck Guy, Big Road Skateboard and 7 others Thank this. -
Cool, I'll look and see, it does it when it's idling at 800rpm though and there's no warning light, I just talk to the shop and they told me, it's because I've been idling for a long time that's what causing that sound and the smoke they said it's just the truck doing a light regen and it's burning off the particles and stuff, so yeah. As long as I let them know then I'm cool, in case it's something serious, they won't blame me then.
Yeah, I'm dumb as hell, I should've done that lol.Last edited: Mar 11, 2026
Walk Among Us, tscottme, Diesel Dave and 1 other person Thank this. -
I think it's probably fine.
nextgentrucker and D.Tibbitt Thank this. -
Definitely some metal on metal action going on. That white smoke emanating from the exhaust area makes me think something is caught in the drive line.
I've heard a similar pitch come from a key cutting machine at the hardware store.Last edited: Mar 11, 2026
Walk Among Us, nextgentrucker and D.Tibbitt Thank this. -
It’s a company truck, run it till it breaks down. Then you’ll get a new one.

IH Truck Guy, tscottme, Sons Hero and 3 others Thank this. -
The sweet smell is just the truck doing a regen . The noise u posted is not normal at all. Open the hood to get a better idea of where its coming from
tscottme, Sons Hero, nextgentrucker and 3 others Thank this. -
Lol! You're funny as hell!
Yup, I'll do that next time.Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this. -
That sure sounds like a bearing on one of the pulleys is on its way out. When it does go best case it locks up and tosses the belt. Worst case its the fan pulley and it falls off and the fan eats the radiator. You should let your company know and get it looked at sooner than later by a shop.
The white smoke is the result of long times at low idle. The engine can't get hot enough to burn off the soot building up in the DPF. It should idle up on its own to regen but probably won't because of the way you are forcing it to low idle. This is bad for the motor/emissions system long term.tscottme, D.Tibbitt, Flat Earth Trucker and 1 other person Thank this.
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