I am new to these DEF systems. I have around 3k on my 14 and I have had it happen twice. I get this very strong smell of BBQ briquets, the first time it happened I said to myself wow someone must have a huge BBQ going. Then I realized it was coming from my truck. No lights or codes when it happens and both times it had that smell for around 5 minutes driving around town. I assume this is normal, but what is happening during this cycle? TIA

 

I see this happening quite a bit lately esp on the new 3.0. and 6.7's Most times it is just oil and plastic labels burning off the SCR cat. and DPF these parts get upwards of 1200 degrees during a REGEN after a few REGENS the smell should subside. I video a truck exhaust during first REGEN while on my lift you wouldn't believe the smoke coming off the exhaust pipe while REGEN was in progress. Bad experience with buyer on road test, truck went into REGEN customer declined to buy and wanted out ASAP. because of smell.

 

10-4, thx. I hope it does burn off soon, it wreaks pretty bad!

 

Basically the engine will go thru REGEN every 24 hours of engine operation. That is when exhaust temps will go up to 1200 degrees. in the DPF cat will turn soot to ash. If you continue to get smell in cab after a few REGENS have taken place you might want to have checked at your next service for possible exhaust leaks.

 

Thanks for the info Big Iron. I'll let it go a few more times of stinking before I take it to a dealer. Both times it happened I was in town and not sure if it made it thru the complete cycle as I got to where I was going and shut the truck down. But I did notice when I fired the truck back up it started regen again. I love these new trucks, but my two complaints (one the same as my 03) are the DEF/DPF and the SEATS. I get leg fatigue due to the seats not being long enough to support the back of my knees. Maybe they will get smart someday and do what BMW does and has those power extending leg/back of knee supports.

 

I'm getting a kind of vinegar or urea smell almost continuously on mine while driving on the highway. No indication of a regen happening. I hope this is not normal!

 

I have only noticed this only one time on my new 14, but it was more of an exhaust smell, definitely not BBQ. I thought I may have had an exhaust leak coming into the cab, or I was smelling the exhaust of a vehicle in front of me (only noticeable with vents on when stationary. I could also smell it when sniffing around the wheel well when I got out) . I now have 3000 miles on my truck as well. I have not experienced it since.