Exhaust smells like Amonia

[Ramon]

I filled my truck up before are camping trip and drove about 175 miles non-stop. Pulled into the campsite unloaded my camper with the engine running and my wife says she smells amonia. I thought she was nuts! Got home, left the motor running while I unhook the camper. I smelled amonia too. The smell was coming from the exhaust. The truck runs great, maybe I am just nuts?

[TOK]

I'm no expert on whats in fuels, but I'd try a couple tanks of gas from a different station and see what happens. The other variable is that you were towing. I guess I'd try to drive it without the trailer and see if it happens only under a heavy load.

I'm in PA, and all the "Made with MTBE" and Oxygenated gas stickers are going away and being replaced with Ethanol stickers. Who knows what new stinks are going to be coming from fuel changes.

[bbomar]

Possible bad Cat. Converter!

[Luckyontheducky]

I'VE GOT IT TOO! Just drove from NY to AL. While I was pulling a trailer, it also happens at startup, so that cant be it. I've NEVER smelled amonia from any vehicle exhaust. What kind of whitches brew are they selling us?

Ramon, what area of the country are you located?

[Luckyontheducky]

I guess our cats are TOO good!

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/...onverters.enn/

...but this article is from 2000. Why are we just now noticing it, and two at once? My guess is that it is a new summer gas formula in conjunction with the catalytic converter.

I will stop by the dealer today and ask...whattya wanna bet they say I need a new converter????

[bbomar]

Originally Posted by Luckyontheducky

and two at once?
I will stop by the dealer today and ask...whattya wanna bet they say I need a new converter????

It might just be one, but replace both, as it's hard to tell which one is bad.

[Luckyontheducky]

...but according to that CNN article, the CAT isn't bad, its too good!

Also, if you spell it correctly (ammonia) you will see some other discussions on the board.

[DelawareDon]

The odor might be due to the recent increase in the percentage of ethenol which is now blended in all pump gasoline. However, if it does turn out that new cats are required by those of you who are concerned, the good news is that the warranty for them is long and deep (I believe 10 yrs/100,000 miles...but I would have to check my owner's manual to be absolutely sure).

[bbomar]

Originally Posted by Luckyontheducky

...but according to that CNN article, the CAT isn't bad, its too good!

Also, if you spell it correctly (ammonia) you will see some other discussions on the board.

I saw that, but still, in a technical sense it's bad, and should be replaced.

[Ramon]

I talked to the dealer today. They said to try another tank of gas from a different station. They said to let them know if it smells. I bought my gas in NW Florida (2.69) not to bad for gas.

[Helinut1970]

I had this same question a few months ago. scr38 explained it the best.
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/tita...=sulfuric+acid