OK this is longer than I though but here goes.

I was/am PO'ed at Dodge and their response to my complaint, it’s the dealership that stepped up and took action. Dodge says they have this great STAR tracking system but when I called to check up on my complaint one operator said there was no such system, another (they wouldn’t let me talk to a supervisor) said it was only for the dealers, when I finally insisted on talking with someone in charge, they transferred me to the dealership. When the receptionist at the dealership answered I took a deep breath and told her that I was extremely aggravated at what Dodge just did and she suggested I speak to the Service Manager. After I explained the problem he asked that I bring in the truck and give him another shot at the problem. That was in April 2004, he applied “the fix” at the beginning of September and so far I’m pleased with the results. The process did take awhile, the Service Manager was good at calling me and giving my updates from time-to-time, and I also supplied him with information on fixes posted here.

I have a follow-up letter on my desk to the dealership and Dodge regarding this problem, just waiting a few more weeks just to be sure the odor problem is gone, but the main issue I have is why it took so long for the problem to get fixed (I originally complained in September 2003) and why I had to go ballistic before someone would take the problem seriously. I don't know what Dodge is doing about the problem, as far as I can see it's nothing. I know you all are out there shouting at the computer saying that this is after all Dodge we’re dealing with and I should know better since I've have Dodges and other Chrysler products on and off since 1969, but my point is that if only the Service Manager can get a problem solved he’s going to be a very busy man because I'll be taking all future problem right to him.

I hope you can get your dealership to fix this problem, I don’t know why a problem that seems to be inherent in all trucks falls to the dealership for a fix and why some dealerships don’t want to help (I suspect it’s a monetary consideration) but the fact is that some dealerships will. A point that I’ll be making to the dealership owner, that I’m more likely to buy my next truck at his place because I can at least get my problems fixed there.

By the way, if the dealer says he can;t do anything because the truck is out of warranty, a service advisor told me that as long as you complained about it during the warranty period they have to fix it.

Tom

 

A SIDE QUESTION - where odes the AC get the outside air form.. ie: where (witch ones) are the outside vents...

 

The vents are in the fresh air cowl. It should draw the fresh air from the black "vents" just in front of the windshield wipers. The problem is that there are also some holes down under the cover, inside the cowl that allow air from the engine compartment to also enter the system.

 

The air is drawn in on the pasenger side of the cowl mentioned above.

I have had a diesel something since 1985 and this was the first one that had a "smell in the cab problem" and yes it is supposed to be the cleanest of all three I've owned.........Hmmmm

Here is a thred at the NWBOMBers I started on the same subject.....

http://www.nwbombers.com/cgi-bin/for...ST;f=20;t=5826

 

could use some help!!

Well - I did the fix (or part of it ?) ..,. I still have the smell...
I taped up the driver side 2 holes just like the PDF file states.. The other side had the silver tape over the top cover and it was very well attached so I did not mess with it.. I then taped up the cowl like the PDF file states - used silver metal duck tape..

turned on air and had the vent set to outside air... sprayed glade into front grill and when I got in the car the glade was already there!!

am I missing anything????

cell # 210.912.7873

 

Yup, there are two holes on the passenger side as well. You can't see them unless you peel off the silver piece you are referring to. Since the passenger side is also where the a/c input is, it will still pull a lot of air from the engine compartment.

 

yup - the holes are there on the pass. side... will patch them up..

question is for the "1/2 drain" part on the patched hole... this is not an issue???

edited update below ***

I RE DID IT and it still has the smell@#! It seems if you where to close things up - the 1/2 drain hole would still cause problems...

ps: my drain holes are not that big... 1/4 - 1/2 inch.. any ideas

 

It surprises me that you still have the issue. If you have a lot of time on your hands, you could completely tape up the holes (only as a test!!) and see what happens. I've been wanting to do that, but I've been pressed for time.

Maybe add some bacon grease to the fuel.

 

03 ant a hemi and others,

Do not continually use the recirculate position! It doesn't give you fresh air from outside and it doesn't pressure the cab which can allow exhaust to leak into the cab. You should always have your fan on pressurizing and bringing fresh air into the cab. Tape up the air leaks in the cowling to prevent under the hood fumes from entering. This should fix the exhaust problem and most of the blow-by smell.

 

I did - I may don't know much about diesels.. but I can sure tape and follow these inst. on this one.... (I do take jet skis apart for the hell of it!)... I may take the cowl off one more time and have a look....

I taped both driver side holes leaving 1/4 - 1/2 drain.
I taped both the pass. side holes and left a drain..
I re did the factory tape on the pass. side top and taped the outside of it....
I taped all around the cowling..

** maybe I did such a good job that I created a better vacum for the drain holes to suck in air..

I'am I the only one that has had the problem...

*** how I checked it... I started truck, windows up, turn air **** to outside vent air.. turned on air... closed hood and sprayed some glade in into the front grill... by the time I got in the driver door the smell was there !!!!

 

You're not the only one having this problem, it seems to be a common problem. I wish they would come up with a TSB to fix it.

RickE -- I understand what you are saying, but this isn't the case for us that are having the problem. With the air in the re-circulate position, there are no fumes. I hate running like this because I LIKE to turn off the recirculate and get fresh air in the truck. When the fresh air is on and recirculate is off, the fumes enter the cab.

 

dsteinke,

I had the same problem. When I came to a stop, I got the odor sucked in thru the vent. When I smelled it, I would go to recirc and the light would turn green and I would drive for a while before I remembered to return to fresh air just in time to stop for another light and repeat the cycle. I always seemed to be in the wrong mode. Since my fix , I've had no smell in the cab...just outside where the blow-by exits near the left rear wheel.

Did you guys extend the blow-by tube? I wonder if you could get that smoke stuff they use in wind tunnels and put it in front of the grill and follow the smoke.

 

Left rear wheel? Wow, that's a LONG extension. Were you able to maintain a constant level of descent from the original tube to the new exit point that far back? I asked the dealer about the possibility of extending the blow-by as a fix. I got the standard "That will void your engine warranty". )#@)#(%&

 

I bought 10' of tubing and that's where it ended. I still get odor out of it so it must still be clear. I think I will take a close look at it to make sure it is wide open.

 

As I stated earlier in this post extending the breather got rid of the smell more than taping up the air cowl. I hope that makes it clear to you I did the repair over a year ago and only get a wiff of diesel type smell when the winds not in my favor

ckennedy you may have an exaust leak ckeck those clamp on the turbo back snug the bolt up a bit. Have you extended the breather hose?