CAT 140M Fumes and Carbon Monoxide into cabin

TicTac · Jan 14, 2020

Hi everyone, I operate a 2016 Cat 140M, in the last month I have been final trimming a pad running north south whenever I run south fumes enter the cab from the roof airconditioner inlet top back left corner ,depending on wind direction normally from the northeast. My biggest concern about this is if I can smell exhaust fumes there has to be carbon monoxide entering the cab as well. i got our mechanic to block off the inlet and no more fumes. Now my question to any other Cat 140m (may happen on other M models as well think cabs are all the same design ) operator have you ever had this problem? any comments

DBDLS · Jan 14, 2020

I would say, ‘Extend the exhaust pipe.’

TicTac · Jan 14, 2020

DBDLS said:
I would say, ‘Extend the exhaust pipe.’

wouldn't really make any difference unless you went to an illegal height, also why would a company make a machine that this could happen

Nige · Jan 15, 2020

What's the S/N of the 140M.? Need to see what it's equipped with in the way of heating & A/C. Lots of options in the catalogue.
I would suggest that you don't go accusing Cat of having designed something bad into the machine until a) it's clear how it was originally equipped and, b) it's certain that someone hasn't been getting creative with maintenance of the cab ventilation system.

fast_st · Jan 15, 2020

Is that exhaust pipe one piece or is its a slipped on tip? Wondering if it has been shortened? If things are running right, the level of CO is pretty low, I mean you will get the stink and a little soot but shouldn't get any measurable CO. Are there any other exhaust leaks?

Nige · Jan 15, 2020

fast_st said:
Is that exhaust pipe one piece or is its a slipped on tip? Wondering if it has been shortened? If things are running right, the level of CO is pretty low, I mean you will get the stink and a little soot but shouldn't get any measurable CO. Are there any other exhaust leaks?

Again the Serial Number (there are 12 different models to choose from, it would be nice to narrow the field to one) will show how it was originally equipped. That's where everything should start from IMHO.

Good point about the possible exhaust leaks though.

fast_st · Jan 15, 2020

Nige said:
Good point about the possible exhaust leaks though.

Actually Australia... CO and exhaust leaks are likely the least dangerous thing in any 500 meter radius. I'd really wonder if a tier 3 engine even makes above the 50ppm CO that's allowed for 8 hour exposure.

Welder Dave · Jan 15, 2020

Diesel fumes in the cab would get annoying real fast! Might be wind related so maybe modifying the exhaust pipe would help.

Nige · Jan 15, 2020

There's a lot of things to check before starting to talk about modifying things IMHO.
I'll be honest and say this is the first time I've heard a complaint of the smell of exhaust fumes inside the cab of a Cat M Series grader in the 10+ years I've been around them.

Welder Dave · Jan 15, 2020

I don't know about cab machines but on open ROPS dozers fumes can be a problem if the wind is right. Sometimes just turning the outlet on the exhaust pipe in a different direction helps. I'm curious what direction the fan is turning. I put a suction fan on my skid steer to get more heat in the winter but it didn't last long. It certainly gave more heat but unless the machine was operating room clean you got the fumes from everything in the cab.

DBDLS · Jan 15, 2020

Show us some pictures, please. If you are really worried about carbon monoxide, you can get a one the size of a credit card and put it in your machine. That’s what we have at work. You could go with a straight exhaust pipe and a rain cap or move the A/C intake to a different location.

John C. · Jan 15, 2020

I guess I don't recall a roof mounted air conditioner on a 140M. Is this a factory installed unit or a Red Dot someone installed? A photo might provide some better information.

Nige · Jan 16, 2020

John C. said:
I guess I don't recall a roof mounted air conditioner on a 140M. Is this a factory installed unit or a Red Dot someone installed? A photo might provide some better information.

John, that pricked my ears up as well. However I'm not sure if the OP means a roof-mounted AC unit or is referring to the air ducting for the heating and A/C. As other posters have pointed out photos would help.

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

Nige said:
What's the S/N of the 140M.? Need to see what it's equipped with in the way of heating & A/C. Lots of options in the catalogue.
I would suggest that you don't go accusing Cat of having designed something bad into the machine until a) it's clear how it was originally equipped and, b) it's certain that someone hasn't been getting creative with maintenance of the cab ventilation system.

Serial number plate from my machine, now please tell me all you think you know from that other than guesses and assumption's

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

fast_st said:
Is that exhaust pipe one piece or is its a slipped on tip? Wondering if it has been shortened? If things are running right, the level of CO is pretty low, I mean you will get the stink and a little soot but shouldn't get any measurable CO. Are there any other exhaust leaks?

One piece original equipment exhaust no leaks, not shortened, not lengthened .your quote about measurable CO is that backed by FACT or just your thoughts?

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

fast_st said:
Actually Australia... CO and exhaust leaks are likely the least dangerous thing in any 500 meter radius. I'd really wonder if a tier 3 engine even makes above the 50ppm CO that's allowed for 8 hour exposure.

Again is that fact based or an option

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

DBDLS said:
Show us some pictures, please. If you are really worried about carbon monoxide, you can get a one the size of a credit card and put it in your machine. That’s what we have at work. You could go with a straight exhaust pipe and a rain cap or move the A/C intake to a different location.

The safety dept is getting a CO monitor this coming week to check levels, not modifying a bog stock machine as this shouldn't happen , again stock its how it comes from factory air intake for these things is a hole in the roof back left hand corner, which draws air down into outer cab filter, then is piped internally ( all factory )

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

John C. said:
I guess I don't recall a roof mounted air conditioner on a 140M. Is this a factory installed unit or a Red Dot someone installed? A photo might provide some better information.

It is not a roof mounted system it is the intake for the air-conditioner that is positioned on the roof as it came from the factory

pushbroom · Jan 17, 2020

Is your belief that exhaust is entering the cab based on fact or opinion? Cause it sounds like opinion at this point....

There are lots good guys on here just trying to help out. And I'm pretty sure Nige can get alot more then guesses and assumptions off a serial number.

TicTac · Jan 17, 2020

pushbroom said:
Is your belief that exhaust is entering the cab based on fact or opinion? Cause it sounds like opinion at this point....

There are lots good guys on here just trying to help out. And I'm pretty sure Nige can get a lot more then guesses and assumptions off a serial number.

When 3 different operators can smell fumes in the fully sealed cabin with air-conditioner on its Fact, if you can smell fumes gases are present Fact, levels unknown at this point ( The OSHA PEL for CO is 50 parts per million (ppm). OSHA standards prohibit worker exposure to more than 50 parts of CO gas per million parts of air averaged during an 8-hour time period. )

CAT 140M Fumes and Carbon Monoxide into cabin

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