Pickup Trucks and Their Fumes

GoldenRod · Mar 7, 2006

I like pickups just like most guys do; but when there is a pickup in my lane up ahead of me, I will quickly change lanes to remove myself from the truck's fume path. When I see a pickup up ahead with a large diameter exaust pipe protruding from the rear corner, that is a sure sign that diesel fumes are headed my way.

It is not just diesel burning pickups that I steer clear of, but gasoline burning trucks too. If I see a truck up ahead with a latter rack on top and maybe a wheel barrow in the back, chances are it is being driven by a contractor that doesn't have a clue as to how to keep his truck in good tune, and for the most part, doesn't care the least either.

I don't seem to have a problem with big rigs though; perhaps it's because the twin stacks throw the exaust so high up in the air, that it doesn't get sucked into my air vents.

My car admits fumes also for the first few minutes after a cold start up; but after the catalytic lights off, it's a clean burning machine.

I've heard stories about how some diesel burning pickups running on used french fry oil, smelling like a deep vat fryer going down the road; or one that runs off of peanut oil. That would be just fine by me.

When it's poring down rain is the worst time to be sucking fumes through the vents; because I can't just lower a window to ventilate the cabin, I have no choice but to turn off the fan and choke on fumes until the rain stops.

Actually I'm getting good at spotting potential fume pumpers; and if they have the tell tale black soot stains on the back bumper and trunk lid (like old diesel Mercedes) it's time to find an alternate route; and fast.

Thank you guys for letting me vent.... (pun intended).

[ March 08, 2006, 04:47 AM: Message edited by: GoldenRod ]

Matt_S · Mar 7, 2006

I can sympathize with you on that. I hate getting behind diesel vehicles. Changes are coming, though, that should clean up that diesel exhaust smell. The sulphur level in the fuel drops significantly this fall. That should help greatly. After that, I think there are some new emission control restrictions coming that should finish the job.

On a related note, I saw an F250 the other day where the guy converted the exhaust to two HUMONGOUS exhaust stacks protruding up through the front of the bed. These things were about double the diameter of anything I've ever seen on a semi. I have no clue where he got them. I have to tell you, though, I didn't smell his exhaust. It seems like a waste of bed space, though.

On another note, why do Ford Powerstrokes have to be so noisy? Dodge and GM diesels aren't that loud. I hate getting stuck next to one at a stoplight when my windows are open (which I like to do whenever the weather allows).

brianl703 · Mar 7, 2006

In California you can report vehicles that appear to be smoking or otherwise not in compliance with emission requirements to the state.

The owner will then be required to bring the vehicle in for an emissions check.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/smoke.htm

Bio-T · Mar 7, 2006

Diesels stink, no question. But is it the sulfur? My 95 PSD had a cat converter and it still would stink. The reason I post this question, is look up how much sulfur gas contains compared to diesels. You will be surprised that your gas engine is spewing quite a bit more burned sulfur.

Why are Ford Powerstrokes noisy? Well it is a diesel, not a sewing machine. Noise and smell are two traits that are beholden to diesels. That is why I have two PSD's. My only regret is that I can't afford another.

Starting sometime this summer, I will half the sulfur in my trucks diesel mix, because I will be running home made Bio-Diesel at least B50. I am in the process of building the unit. Part collection is slow as I am doing this the most cost effective way I can.

Matt_S · Mar 7, 2006

They've already dropped sulphur in gas. That took effect Jan 1. In my area, there was an accompanying price increase.

In diesels, there are newer emmissions controls that get clogged up by the sulphur, which is the primary cause of soot (which is not a problem on gas engines). With the diesel fuel as it is now, those emmissions controls can't be used, so the EPA is mandating low sulphur levels so it can mandate better emmissions controls.

rpn453 · Mar 8, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by brianl703:
In California you can report vehicles that appear to be smoking or otherwise not in compliance with emission requirements to the state.

The owner will then be required to bring the vehicle in for an emissions check.

Sweet. I really, really, really wish they had that here. I'm guilty of aggressive driving when I get behind vehicles that prevent me from breathing. I seem to end up travelling any speed necessary in any type of speed zone to pass those. Of course, it would be far more sensible of me to just pull over . . .

Stewart Fan · Mar 8, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Matt_S:

On another note, why do Ford Powerstrokes have to be so noisy? Dodge and GM diesels aren't that loud.

It must have been an older PSD with the 7.3 litre engine.. The new 6.0 PSDs are much quieter as are the Duramax and the Cummins.

Bret Chase · Mar 8, 2006

nothing on the planet is as noisy as a 12V cummins.. if I'm in a drive through I have to shut the **** thing off to place my order.

Stewart Fan · Mar 8, 2006

Wait until you get behind a diesel thats been "chipped". When the owner of a chipped diesel gets on the throttle it looks like a locomotive is ahead of you,the black exhaust just pours out of them. Most of those guys think it hilarious to leave an intersection so full of exhaust you can't see to drive.

medic · Mar 8, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Matt_S:
On another note, why do Ford Powerstrokes have to be so noisy? Dodge and GM diesels aren't that loud. I hate getting stuck next to one at a stoplight when my windows are open (which I like to do whenever the weather allows).

IMHO, the Cummins is the noisiest diesel engine on the market. As for the exhaust, this is totally up to the engineer who designs the exhaust and has nothing to do with the engine.

GoldenRod · Mar 8, 2006

I was driving behind a '70 something gasoline burning Suburban with Oregon plates. That thing reeked so bad, I tried to pull my T-shirt up over my nose, but to no avail. I wish I had my chemical respirator with me at the time; I would of quickly put it on.

My car has a cabin air filter; but it is just to stop particulate matter, not fumes. I've heard about some cars having a charcoal cabin air filter. That would be a strong selling point for me if I were shopping for a new car.

TheTanSedan · May 11, 2006

My favorite -- working for a towing service contracted to city and county police in Georgia -- was an ancient TravellAll that had enormous rust holes in the floorboards. The driver had been taken in for DUI, and I was designated to drive it back to the impound lot. Was mighty grateful for the these extra-long arms and legs as I went down the road looking like an old retriever, head hanging out the window.

"Fumes" doesn't describe it. I had to take enormous gulps of air to survive the time it took "inside" to work that shifter and clutch.

I can't remember if it had any exhaust system at all. I still can't believe anyone could drive it sober much less drunk.

Cop got him on a busted tail light.

windnsea00 · May 11, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by GoldenRod:
I was driving behind a '70 something gasoline burning Suburban with Oregon plates. That thing reeked so bad, I tried to pull my T-shirt up over my nose, but to no avail. I wish I had my chemical respirator with me at the time; I would of quickly put it on.

My car has a cabin air filter; but it is just to stop particulate matter, not fumes. I've heard about some cars having a charcoal cabin air filter. That would be a strong selling point for me if I were shopping for a new car.

I think you can put in charcoal cabin air filters if they make the right size in a car that has a mircofilter. For example our 325iT can use either the standard filter or the charcoal activated one (which is obviously a bit more)

Matt89 · May 11, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by TheTanSedan:
My favorite -- working for a towing service contracted to city and county police in Georgia -- was an ancient TravellAll that had enormous rust holes in the floorboards. The driver had been taken in for DUI, and I was designated to drive it back to the impound lot. Was mighty grateful for the these extra-long arms and legs as I went down the road looking like an old retriever, head hanging out the window.

"Fumes" doesn't describe it. I had to take enormous gulps of air to survive the time it took "inside" to work that shifter and clutch.

I can't remember if it had any exhaust system at all. I still can't believe anyone could drive it sober much less drunk.

Cop got him on a busted tail light.

LOL, TanSedan I can picture you going down the road like Ace Ventura!

I recall driving down the Colonial Parkway in Virginia, got caught behind an ANCIENT Mercedes Diesel that was putting out a smoke plume like a coal-fired train in one of those western movies. If there ever was a time I wanted to administer a b---- slap that was it.

Bryanccfshr · May 11, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by GoldenRod:
I like pickups just like most guys do; but when there is a pickup in my lane up ahead of me, I will quickly change lanes to remove myself from the truck's fume path. . (pun intended).

Let's get some definitions straight Goldenrod, this is a forum where accuracy is held in high regard. And I often see the term Fume missused.

Fumes= Airborn Solids usually found from welding and gas torch cutting operations where tmolten metal forms tiny airborn drplets that are quickly solidified and carried up by the heat of combustion

Smoke= Nearly the same as fumes, these are solid byproducts of combustion.

Vapors= This is what evaporates off of combustible liquids when heated above the flash point.

Gases. O2 H2S CO2 CO N Gases

Exhaust from our vehicles can be a combination of vapors Smoke and gases but if you are getting fumes from a tailpipe something is wrong.

As far as poor emmiters on the road, I agree that some of thgem are ghastly.

JHZR2 · May 11, 2006

IMO, 'smoke' is what gives the diesels their 'smell', and smoke being a function of atomization and combustion of polyaromatics and the hard to remove sulfur compounds, like methylated dibenzothiophenes, which are nearly impossible to remove from fuel efficiently.

These things dont combust cleanly or efficiently, so end up creating soot, and offgasses that arent as pleasant.

The thing that people dont grasp is that if the fuel economy of a diesel is significantly higher, then the gross tonnage of all pollutants and greenhouse gasses is much less... thats why a non-catalyzed 30 MPG car from who knows when is still 'greener' than the PZEV expedition that is new on the ford lot...

JMH

robbobster · May 11, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by GoldenRod:

My car has a cabin air filter; but it is just to stop particulate matter, not fumes. I've heard about some cars having a charcoal cabin air filter. That would be a strong selling point for me if I were shopping for a new car.

Many cars now have a smog sensor. It automatically reverts to "recirculate" mode when high levels of exterior pollutants are detected.

It's beginning to trickle-down from the high-end cars. Many Hyundais with automatic climate control have this feature.

Cars that have it often have a similar button on the HVAC controls: an "A" with a circle of little arrows going around it, typically where the "recirculate" button would be.

1sttruck · May 12, 2006

Yeah, diesels running typical fuel stink. Staying back a bit is good, as I've seen Honda Civics that rear ended trucks, lifting the rear wheels off of the ground, folding the cabin of the car down to the level of the hood in the process.

I wish I could project the stink forward though, as driving a 3/4 ton pickup I give myself a bit more room up front in traffic, but people typically in small cars squeeze in and hit the brakes all the time. I shake my head, curse, but avoid laying off of the horn in most cases. If I can't stop the truck in time they will probably get killed, as their engine is probably the only thing that will stop the bumper where tow hooks are installed on the mount, the solid front axle that is stout enough to serve as the jacking points for the 4000 lb load on the front end, and the almost 1000 lb engine. My truck is just a pickup, and is MUCH lighter than the medium and heavy duty trucks.

LarryL · May 12, 2006

quote:

In California you can report vehicles that appear to be smoking or otherwise not in compliance with emission requirements to the state.

The owner will then be required to bring the vehicle in for an emissions check.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/smoke.htm

Which California are you talking about? The one I live in has cars that are real smoke bombs and nothing is done. There are so many cars driven by 'illegals' that giving them a ticket is useless. On that Monday with the protest, the freeways were clear and I did not see a smoking car anywhere. A better way to solve the smoking car problem is to have a protest every Monday and Friday.

Oh, and about your snitch number for complaints. A place where I do contract work is bothered by a guy with a smoke bomb car. They call in every day and have been doing it for months. Nothing has changed. Something like a snitch line may be somone's good idea but it does not work. It didn't work in Germany and it isn't working here.

Pickup Trucks and Their Fumes

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