Smell of diesel exhaust inside

[Ron-in-Tn]

I have a 2004 Journey with the 330 hp Caterpillar C7 diesel pusher. When we are traveling down the road, it seems as though we are getting diesel exhaust fumes coming into the coach. This only happens when we are moving down the road. We can sit parked with the engine idle set up on 1500 rpm for long periods of time and get nothing. I can't seem to locate the point where it's coming in. I just had the thing into the Cat dealer for a complete service and inspection and there were no problems noted. Has anyone else had this problem and if so....what was the cause? Again, it only does it when we're driving down the road.

[Ron-in-Tn]

I have a 2004 Journey with the 330 hp Caterpillar C7 diesel pusher. When we are traveling down the road, it seems as though we are getting diesel exhaust fumes coming into the coach. This only happens when we are moving down the road. We can sit parked with the engine idle set up on 1500 rpm for long periods of time and get nothing. I can't seem to locate the point where it's coming in. I just had the thing into the Cat dealer for a complete service and inspection and there were no problems noted. Has anyone else had this problem and if so....what was the cause? Again, it only does it when we're driving down the road.

[CHIPPYSGT]

Could it be from your diesel generator?

[Joe-K]

We've also got a Journey but havn't noted any issue with fumes though. One thing I do notice is that there seems to be a low pressure area behind the RV that causes the dirt and water from the highway to be sucked up onto the back cap. I imagine if there is any opening in the rear, it could pull in fumes.

The only opening close enough to the back that I can think of is the power cord hatch. Was it completely closed and latched the last time the power cord was put away?

[Harry B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">When we are traveling down the road, it seems as though we are getting diesel exhaust fumes coming into the coach. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This could be due to the taping letting go on the A/C plennum runnning from the A/C unit to the roof behind the back cab. Drive your coach with the A/C on and see if you still have the smell. This pressurises the duct work and as such does not allow fumes to be sucked in. This is not an uncommon problem on the 2004 and 2005 coaches an also effects the A/C performance. It happend to my coach. You can also check to see if you feel any airflow around the plennum with the A/C running while parked.

[smlranger]

We had a problem with that toward the end of our recent 5,000+ mile trip. I checked everywhere and could not determine where the fumes were entering the coach.

I did have a small leak in my AC duct behind the rear cap but had already re-taped that before we left on the trip...I used the good foil duct tape. Perhaps it has let go...I will recheck that.

[Ron-in-Tn]

We eliminated the generator first thing, thinking that might be the culprit and all compartment doors are always closed tight and locked when traveling. It does seem though that on our first trip with this coach, from Montana to TN, when we were running the AC a lot, we didn't seem to notice the smell. This problem really seemed to surface on the second trip to Michigan and back to TN when we didn't really run the AC much. I'll have to crawl around back under the rear of the rig and see if I can inspect the ducting of the AC system for any openings.

[Kiwi]

I had the same problem and found that the rear bedroom escape window was not dogged properly. Dogged it off really tight and fumes went away.

Like Joe said there is a negative pressure area generated at the rear of the coach.
Walt

[Ed Gardiser]

Kiwi
What does " Dogged " mean ?
Ed Gardiser
Escondido,Ca.
04 Vectra
87 Nissan PickUp
FMCA

[wagonmaster2]

I have a 2004 Meridian purchased new in February 2004 and have had exhaust fumes ever since. I had it back to the selling dealer twice before they sold out, had it to a Freightliner dealer twice for exhaust work, and took it to Forest City a year ago - still the fumes are there if the wind is from a certain direction or traveling slow under hard pull. Each one said they found the problem. I've put insulation rubber around all the compartment doors so a dollar bill will drag firm when the door is closed, used a halegon light underneith at night looking for entrance inside, and tried to check to air condition plumbing behind the rear cap (don't know how I could reach the upper area to re-tape it even if it was leaking) but have found only a few real small holes to plug. They said they plugged a hole at Forest City thinking that was the problem but not. I'll try running the air conditioner the next time I notice the fumes, which doesn't happen every trip. If this is common with the 2004 and 2005 models you'd think they would have known what to do when I was at Forest City. The more I read on this forum the less I think of Winnebago products.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[rojodoss]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ron-in-Tn:
I have a 2004 Journey with the 330 hp Caterpillar C7 diesel pusher. When we are traveling down the road, it seems as though we are getting diesel exhaust fumes coming into the coach. This only happens when we are moving down the road. We can sit parked with the engine idle set up on 1500 rpm for long periods of time and get nothing. I can't seem to locate the point where it's coming in. I just had the thing into the Cat dealer for a complete service and inspection and there were no problems noted. Has anyone else had this problem and if so....what was the cause? Again, it only does it when we're driving down the road. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[smlranger]

Per my previous post, I had some problems with the fumes on our recent long trip. I also recently discovered the wall between the LR and BR slide separated from the frame by about 1/4". I have reattached the wall and am now thinking that might have been the point of entry. I will be driving the coach soon and will report if problem resolved.

[skigramp]

We own a 2004 Journey 39W (The head of the bed is on the street side slide). I recently installed an electrical powered water hose reel. While looking for a source of 12V power I lifted up the bed. I was amazed to find an 8" x 10" hole in the floor that opens into the power / fresh water bay. There are several 12V and 120V lines coming through the opening as well as the hydralic lines to operate the cylinder to open and retract the slide ....

In the past I have never replaced the little flaps for the cord and hose openings when I travelled ... I will close them from now on because on my coach that is a source for fumes from the rear of the coach to be brought inside the coach ....

I don't know if all Journeys have an opening from a lower bay into the bedroom ... but you might check yours

[Ron-in-Tn]

OK...well...I Finally took this in to the dealer to have it looked at...and apparently the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe have seperated...causing excessive fumes in the engine compartment. When sitting still, the fumes were able to be evacuated through natural ventillation of the engine compartment...the fan..ect. But, when traveling down the road, combined with the fact that the engine is operating at a higher RPM generating more exhaust, the negative vaccum created at the rear of the coach was forcing the exhaust fumes back up and into the coach through any little crack, crevice or opening it could find. According to the dealer, this is a recall for Freightliner and will be covered by the local Freightliner dealer...