Community Forums

TucsonAZ · 05-04-2019, 05:41 AM

I notice just about every other post is relating to gas vs diesel but this is one I've never seen. I'm rather sensitive to chemicals, fumes, exhaust and so on. I've been wanting a pusher but with my health issues I'm starting to have second thoughts about the diesel and my health. I know the data points, I know the differences, the particulates, CO2 emissions and so on but what I'm looking for is anybody who has had an issue with the diesels. Maybe build up in the coach, fumes getting in, anything that you attributed to diesels that you didn't experience with gas.

FormerBoater · 05-04-2019, 06:44 AM

We have a 21 year old diesel coach (pre-emission controls and a mechanical vs. electronic controlled engine).

She blows no smoke and we have never detected any diesel odors inside the motorhome.

The diesel generator is also 21 years old with almost 3000 hours on the clock. Also blows no smoke. Slight diesel odor when first started IF you are outside the coach and there is no wind.

The big health hazard with internal combusion engines is Carbon Monoxide.

Diesel exhaust has minimal CO content compared to a gasoline engine.

jacwjames · 05-04-2019, 07:06 AM

Don't recall any diesel fumes in coach during or after driving.

Generator is more likely to cause problems, we do have a Genturi pipe that we install if we are in close quarters with others. Wife use to go to lots of dog shows where they cram the rigs in without regard to generators, in some places they require the Genturi.

We don't have an aquahot type system but have been parked near rigs with it and have smelled the fumes from this, maybe others will chime in.

HJLowell · 05-04-2019, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormerBoater

We have a 21 year old diesel coach (pre-emission controls and a mechanical vs. electronic controlled engine).

She blows no smoke and we have never detected any diesel odors inside the motorhome.

The diesel generator is also 21 years old with almost 3000 hours on the clock. Also blows no smoke. Slight diesel odor when first started IF you are outside the coach and there is no wind.

The big health hazard with internal combusion engines is Carbon Monoxide.

Diesel exhaust has minimal CO content compared to a gasoline engine.

20 years old here, ISM Diesel
Agree 100 percent

Poppy01 · 05-04-2019, 07:39 AM

We have a 25 YO pusher. I have a pretty sensitive nose, so I detect odors before most. Only had a diesel smell when we had a cracked exhaust pipe. Fixed it and problem solved. Generator does smoke some on start, especially on a cold morning, but you can only smell it if you are outside when starting. You will smell diesel when fueling, but gasoline is much worse for me.

KanzKran · 05-04-2019, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy01

You will smell diesel when fueling, but gasoline is much worse for me.

If that’s a problem for the OP, perhaps he should consider an organic half-face mask, or even disposable R95 or N95 organic oil-based particulate (including nuisance odors) respirator masks. Disposable mask and gloves for fueling, so it all gets left behind when done.

This is not remotely in my field, so I’m just tossing it out there. Maybe someone with an industrial hygiene and safety background could straighten me out if I’m wrong.

luvlabs · 05-04-2019, 08:08 AM

Pre-DPF, DEF diesel are terrible polluters and contribute greatly to respiratory disease and asthma - especially in cities. Between carbon particulates and nitrogen oxide, diesels are pretty bad polluters. Modern diesels use diesel particulate filters (DPF) and a special catalyst (that uses DEF) to remove NOX emissions and the result is reasonably clean exhaust that approaches that of modern cars.

So if you are sensitive to exhaust a modern diesel (one built after 2011 or so) will reduce your exposure. However, your generator will still pump out the bad stuff when you use it although much less because it is a low displacement engine.

The only way that you are going to get diesel fumes in the coach is from either a poorly maintained exhaust system (which is repairable) or from other coaches/trucks.

mymyst · 05-04-2019, 08:14 AM

And we should also note, that the newer diesel engines with DEF SCR systems, have almost no smell from the exhaust when running, as well as extremely low sulfer emissions.
just FWIW dept......

TucsonAZ · 05-04-2019, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KanzKran

If that’s a problem for the OP, perhaps he should consider an organic half-face mask, or even disposable R95 or N95 organic oil-based particulate (including nuisance odors) respirator masks. Disposable mask and gloves for fueling, so it all gets left behind when done.

This is not remotely in my field, so I’m just tossing it out there. Maybe someone with an industrial hygiene and safety background could straighten me out if I’m wrong.

Thank you all for the responses. The above would work and is basically what I do even when fueling my gasoline truck. I guess I was concerned that there is still some residual particulate in the truck but I guess it would be no more or less than what would be in a gas coach driven on the interstates.

I've actually sort of gone into decision paralysis from having so many options so I think I need to not think about this for a few days and regroup. I guess I won't know until I try but I'm on a pretty limited budget so I can only afford to try about one new thing every two years ( :