Lots of know it all shadetree types ignore the dangers of CO in diesel exhaust, I just don't want some newbie owner thinking it's ok to ignore the danger because his/her vehicle is diesel powered. CO is odorless and colourless, by the time you realize there is something wrong it might be too late.

Yes, phosgene is the technical name for mustard gas. I nearly came to blows with a moron mechanic some 20 years ago as I watched him try to recharge the a/c in a Volvo 240 and he was venting R12 all over the place.

Let's not forget that CO levels rise when a diesel is run under no load conditions because of low combustion chamer temps.

So, it could be stated as fact that a OM617 running at idle is going to generate a measurable amount of CO, enough to kill a family pet or human inside a closed vehicle.

Not only that, there is laundry list of carcinogens in diesel exhaust. Not something I would want to be breathing.

Measurable, yes. Enough to kill a human in the car... you're going to have to supply some kind of support for that statement. I think you're blowing smoke...;)
http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/human_house/aen206.asp

Common sense does dictate that one would at least crack a window for some fresh air.

Breathe a couple carcinogens or lose a couple fingers.... Seems like that choice would be pretty easy to make

The kind that respects the owner's wishes?

I have seen a mechanic cool beer by spraying R12 on it back in the day but what is the issue with him venting it? If there is no combustion going on in an enclosed area, what do you see as the issue?

You are correct Aklim, but this guy was venting a large amount of R12 in the engine compartment of a running vehicle, where it could be drawn in and burned by the engine.

Your story about the beer gave me a good chuckle, I also saw an oldtimer use Freon to chill a seized sparkplug so he wouldn't ruin the threads in the cylinder head when he removed it. Nowadays they sell a special can of stuff for that purpose.

The guy was fired two weeks later for not putting the oil filter on a VW Rabbit truck diesel during a lof service. He started the engine and it locked up as he kept flooring it trying to get the oil pressure light to go out. Meanwhile we were yelling at him to shut it off, as we watched a puddle of oil form under the car and also noticed the new oil filter still sitting on the lift arm where he left it.

I agree, but under the right conditions and after enough time had elapsed it could happen.

Do you really think a thirty year old snowbelt car is going to have a rusfree chassis and good weatherstrips?

Common sense.... something some people lose if they are in a high stress situation. Having dealt with CO poisoning of a coworker years ago, I just want people to be aware of the very real risks involved.

My coworker got CO poisoning because his rusty beater GMC van leaked enough CO inside on his way home one night that he passed out and
ran into the curb. A fellow motorist stopped and saved his life, he was never quite the same again.

Yes, and understands women come and go but family is forever.

Bad!!!I wouldn't be hanging around there then. A little here and there may leak but venting in front of a running engine is a little bit out of my league.

Your in the woman's softball league aren't you. :eek::rolleyes:

As opposed to you being in the men's locker room all day long sniffing the jock straps? :D

.... Well I never... :eek:

I bet you do sometimes..;)

Ouch!! :rolleyes:

Got caught? Probably but one day your luck runs out. Would I want to be in the women's softball team locker room? Absolutely. If it takes playing squeezeball with them, so be it.