Diesel smell inside

sbbamafan · January 8, 2022

I never get any smell while driviing but it has been real cold (relatively speaking to those of you in the North) here lately so I decided to try the remote start function on the keyfob. After I let it run in the driveway for a few minutes and went and got into the truck, it smelled - and I don't mean just a little bit - it was strong. I had to open the windows to let it out. It was not a one time occurence. It has done it every time I tried the remote start - about 5 times. Is this happening to others? FWIW, my truck has 2000 miles on it and I have had it about 3 weeks.

Edited January 8, 2022 by sbbamafan

ian cloutier · January 8, 2022

1 hour ago, sbbamafan said:

I never get any smell while driviing but it has been real cold (relatively speaking to those of you in the North) here lately so I decided to try the remote start function on the keyfob. After I let it run in the driveway for a few minutes and went and got into the truck, it smelled - and I don't mean just a little bit - it was strong. I had to open the windows to let it out. It was not a one time occurence. It has done it every time I tried the remote start - about 5 times. Is this happening to others? FWIW, my truck has 2000 miles on it and I have had it about 3 weeks.

I do as well. not all the time but sometimes its quite nasty

Supreme Pizza · January 8, 2022

31 minutes ago, ian cloutier said:

I do as well. not all the time but sometimes its quite nasty

When I start my 2008 with remote start, the HVAC doesn't work the the same way it does when the key is on.

That may or may not have anything to do with your issue, except that turning on "recycle" for the HVAC may keep the system from pulling exhaust or other vapors into the cab during the remote start warm up cycle. The "recycle" may not be on with the remote start though, and then may turn to "recycle" when you are in the normal mode (not in remote start mode).

redwngr · January 8, 2022

1 hour ago, sbbamafan said:

I never get any smell while driviing but it has been real cold (relatively speaking to those of you in the North) here lately so I decided to try the remote start function on the keyfob. After I let it run in the driveway for a few minutes and went and got into the truck, it smelled - and I don't mean just a little bit - it was strong. I had to open the windows to let it out. It was not a one time occurence. It has done it every time I tried the remote start - about 5 times. Is this happening to others? FWIW, my truck has 2000 miles on it and I have had it about 3 weeks.

This isn't normal.

Since the lm2 was introduced there have been several locations identified as potential exhaust leak locations.

Get 'em to fix it.

Supreme Pizza · January 8, 2022

I have worked on older diesels that had fuel leaks under the hood. The owner complained about diesel smell when the truck was stopped at stop lights. The fuel leaks were small, and dripped onto the top of the hot motor, and evaporated. Then the fumes get sucked into the cabin. When driving, the fumes would get blown away by the wind. I would start by putting the HVAC on recycle, and see if the problem is only present when the vehicle is stopped.

One thing you could try would be to drive the truck so that its thoroughly warmed up, and open the hood and see if the smell is present. Ideally without any electric fans being on.

redwngr · January 9, 2022

With 2000 miles on the truck -- use the warranty you paid for.

hardwareguy2068 · January 10, 2022

I have a 2022 with 3300 miles on it and do not experience this to that degree. I can smell a little bit, but not overwhelming and I remote start mine all the time. I also have a 2015 2500HD that is fully deleted and has been for years. There is significantly more odor inside the cab, but not enough that makes it obnoxious. If you are experiencing that much odor, especially with DEF, I would have the dealer check it out. It doesn't sound normal to me either.

Darren Hamilton · January 15, 2022

I experience it too when starting up and letting the truck warm up.. the truck ventilation seems hosed up.. anything other than the dash air vents, defrost or foot lets nasty smells in, either outside or while idling... not terribly happy with this. Occasionally I see a little pool of what looks like oily fuel on the ground where the truck was and wonder if that has anything to do with it.

redwngr · January 16, 2022

5 hours ago, Darren Hamilton said:

I experience it too when starting up and letting the truck warm up.. the truck ventilation seems hosed up.. anything other than the dash air vents, defrost or foot lets nasty smells in, either outside or while idling... not terribly happy with this. Occasionally I see a little pool of what looks like oily fuel on the ground where the truck was and wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Then it is in need of repair.

Ronald Dennison · January 7

So I have the same issue and it’s terrible. Can’t even get in my truck after I started it for 10 minutes with the remote start. It also smells if I stop at a stoplight. I’ve been to the dealership three times with it no answers at all. I took it upon myself to look up online YouTube and what not. And I’m finding very similar problems. Everybody said it was an exhaust leak. I had my exhaust smoke tested, and there was no leaks. There is a small oil leak coming out the front of the crank on this motor, don’t know if that could be the problem. I went so far as to put a carbon monoxide detector in the truck and it will not set it off so that tells me it’s probably not exhaust so I changed my cabin air filter, and it helped drastically but this should not be a problem at all with a brand new truck. I am still checking in with GM to find out they are aware of the problem. They just don’t have a fix for it.