Choking on Diesel Fumes *Update Page 6*

[babylady4]

DH is a diesel mechanic. The warming up of the engine depends on the size of the engine and the temperature outside. I DOUBT it is cold enough to warrant the engine idling for longer than 2 min..... I thought California had emissions testing for all vehicles? If his exhaust is that bad I bet he is not passing the emissions testing either.

Give him the plans to convert to biodiesel......

 

[herfrds]

Unless it is below 32 degrees there is no reason to idle his diesel at all.

Is his truck smoking white smoke?

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Does he need to idle it WHERE he does? Could he move it out to the front of the house or closer to the road and farther from you??



This is a prime example of the two types of freedom - his freedom to do what he wants on his property and your freedom to do what you want on yours (breathe).... It used to be said that your freedom ends at my nose. Perfect case.

 

[silkiechicken]

Maybe he can idle somewhere further? In the winter, my dad had to idle his 68 chevy which wasn't diesel, just a carburetor engine, for 10-20 min if it was below 40F. In the summer, it only took about 5. He had a temperature probe in there that would let him know when it was warm enough to take the truck to work. It sounds like a tough situation when it comes down to it, as maybe your new neighbor can't afford a new truck yet or needs the one he has for some job he does? Calling ordinances on it might cause more drama than it is worth in the long run and might give more reasons to want to move again.

 

[Boyd]

We would Idle our Semi's and Box trucks for a good 30 minutes before the drivers punched in for their shift. I personally started all of their rigs as a courtesy. Not only did their heaters finally work, but the trucks would run smoothly. It also helped smooth ego's when the guy who gave them a load had their day trip trucks nice and toasty. Very little problems with drivers and many of them became great friends...

Then again, a -20degree day (when you include real temp plus wind chill) it does take a bit to get them going.. Not to mention 2 block heaters and 3 salamander style heaters when the diesel gelled.... and that's 40+ trucks

I actually advocated to the Director of Operations to let the trucks idle for the 7 hours they weren't running but fuel costs being the way they were....... I guess they'd rather pay the towing charge, rental charge and repair costs when something was beyond a salamander. Those are the ropes.... spend an extra 70 dollars to save a potential 700....... But math not being my strong suit they prefer the 700.....

So for your situation.. How old is the truck in question? What size motor? How cold does it get there? If it isn't well maintained it actually will run better if it idles longer.

Perhaps you can ask the neighbor to park in a diff area so the fumes don't fly right in your windows?

 

[Dunkopf]

Might have a dirty air filter. If the exhaust is real black that is usually the cause. At least that's what I always heard. Perhaps the diesel mechanic could confirm or deny that theory.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Hey, thanks for all the replies and information. His truck is a Ford F-350, shiny bright red and looks fairly new. We're in California and have not had a morning below 50 degrees since he's been living there. i don't recall seeing any kind of smoke coming from his exhaust, but perhaps if there is some it would be whitish. Definitely no black smoke. After i spoke with him, he has been moving it to the other driveway, a bit further from our house when he runs it in the morning. But those fumes are still making their way clear to the far back side of our house in the morning. Not good at estimating distance, but i would suspect it's at least 200 feet.

i'm hoping to be able to talk to him in a manner to get to the bottom of things. i like the idea of taking something over, maybe a dozen or so eggs? That might start things on a good note. i also like the idea of perhaps having him come over into our yard when his truck is running, so he can see how stinky it is. He does seem to be trying to comply, and i appreciate that. i'm just getting so frustrated (and sick) waking up with diesel fumes in my lungs every morning. Even tried wrapping my face in my sheets this morning but the smell permeated even that.

 

[redhen]

He sounds like he is being VERY nice and trying to please you. Hes stopped letting it idle for as long in the mornings and has even moved it to another drive way further away from you.....
What else exactly do you want him to do? Just wondering...

 

[silkiechicken]

Would it be possible to shift your going outside earlier/later? If he's got it idling for less time now, figuring it takes 20 min for the stink cloud to leave, that would only be a 30 min change?

It does sound like the neighbor is trying to do what he can instead of parking it next to your drive and idling it for longer as some neighbors may do.

 

[BorderKelpie]

Could you set up a box fan to blow the fumes away from your yard? I kow it wouldn't be perfect, but maybe it could help a little?