Bad or Burnt Exhaust smell in cabin during hard acceleration.

[VinceL]

After 6600 miles, ours is still doing it. What I find really odd is that we don't smell it if the Recirculation is off on the A/C. If the recirc is on, it takes it a second or two and then you start smelling it. It is almost like a sulfury ozoney type of smell, which leads me to believe that exhaust is making its way into the cabin. I have thought of capturing some of the tainted air and having it analyzed, but have no idea where to take it to have that done, lol.

 

[jrmexplorer]

I have a very mild smell when accelerating hard that clears quickly (<1 minute). Perhaps my problem is less severe, or perhaps my nose is less sensitive than others.

However, I smell the same thing in my wife's 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I also found other new car forums reporting the same issues.

Not saying its right, just that other cars are experiencing the same issues.

 

[VinceL]

I have a very mild smell when accelerating hard that clears quickly (<1 minute). Perhaps my problem is less severe, or perhaps my nose is less sensitive than others.

However, I smell the same thing in my wife's 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I also found other new car forums reporting the same issues.

Not saying its right, just that other cars are experiencing the same issues.

It does clear quickly as you said. I hadn't realized that it was affecting other cars. Interesting....

 

[SWEET ST]

I said this once and i say it again it is normal new cars don't have the pcv valve pollution control valve !!!

 

[VinceL]

They may not have the PCV, but I have driven the following cars:

2009 Toyota Highlander V6
2009 Lexus IS 350
2009 Infiniti G37
2011 Infiniti G37 Convertible
2011 Infiniti M35
2010 Chevrolet Avalanche
2010 Chrysler Town and Country
2012 Hyundai Genesis V6
2012 Ford Explorer V6
2012 Ford Explorer I4 Ecoboost
2013 Ford Explorer V6

Of all of those cars, only one has ever produced a smell described in this thread, and that is the 2013 Explorer V6 (our car). I can only speak to my personal experiences and what research I could do on the internets and the fact that every autoparts store I checked would sell me a PCV valve for new cars

 

[FordService]

...When accelerating briskly, fumes are being pulled into the passenger cabin. That isn't normal, and saying it is normal doesn't make it so. I have never had any car do this before...

...I have an appointment next week to try and prove my case at the dealership....

...I need to get it done but it's a 45 minute round trip (for two drivers) times two trips (drop off and pick up), gas for two cars, plus time there at the dealership. I was really hoping someone would have a known fix by now.

UPDATE: The "valve cover fix" didn't work!...

...This is one of those "annoying" problems that I want to get fixed...

I'm still having the smell with mine...

I have a very mild smell when accelerating hard that clears quickly (<1 minute). Perhaps my problem is less severe, or perhaps my nose is less sensitive than others...

I want to help get this taken care of once and for all, guys. I have your contact details from previous messages, so please send your current mileages and I’ll arrange for you to be called by your regional Customer Service Manager.

...Once the new parts were installed, the smell went away. Just wanted to throw this out there incase anyone is experiencing a similar type issue...

I’m really glad your dealer took care of you, splurph16; I appreciate you sharing.

This is a concern on my 2013 XLT...

ern,

As I mentioned above, I can send this up the line for you. Please PM me with your contact information, approximate mileage, VIN, and dealer name/state.

...The explorer when i say with all heart that it's an awesome vehicle the ride, the room, all and all its awesome...

Thanks for taking the time to post, NEWPORTNJ.

Cory

 

[gpzrider]

Poisonous smell update

Finally got the energy to take the X in for the third time to fix the same issues. Rain roof, A pillar and Poisonous smell entering the cabin. WOO HOO during a test drive with the service manager in the car, the cabin filled with the poisonous smell after a hard acceleration. They can't deny me now!!!!!!!!!!! Let's see what materializes.

 

[VinceL]

Finally got the energy to take the X in for the third time to fix the same issues. Rain roof, A pillar and Poisonous smell entering the cabin. WOO HOO during a test drive with the service manager in the car, the cabin filled with the poisonous smell after a hard acceleration. They can't deny me now!!!!!!!!!!! Let's see what materializes.

Go get 'em gpzrider, give them hell!

 

[zed512]

Came home after work last night and my daughter told me mummy's car stinks!

Yes, my wife accelerated hard to change lanes and she reported a super strong gas smell inside the cabin.

Tested myself later that night and they same thing happened.


Add me to the list!

 

[gpzrider]

3 days and counting and they have no idea how to fix it.

 

[SplashRI]

Do they at least acknowledge that there is a problem?

 

[gpzrider]

Well, the shop foreman said, "That smells bad".

 

[tiresmoke]

Ugh. I'm taking delivery of my new '12 tomorrow. You guys have me totally worried.

 

[splurph16]

Ugh. I'm taking delivery of my new '12 tomorrow. You guys have me totally worried.

Tiresmoke, take the car for a test drive tomorrow to warm it up and punch it a couple of times with the vents open (NOT on recirculate). Dealer will probably have max ac on, which recirculates the air, turn it off. Also, when you get back to the dealership, pop the hood and sniff around the engine compartment. You'll be able to tell right away if there is a problem...it's an obnoxious odor. Best of luck and hopefully everything goes well...the EX really is a sweet ride!

 

[gpzrider]

My cabin fills with the poisonous smell even with the recalculate on. Seems to me like it is seeping in from the shift area not blown in by the air conditioning. Service tech said today they have no idea how to fix it and ford told them they are working on a fix but don't expect one till late 2012. I will not expose my wife and 20 month old to this poisonous smell any longer!!!!!!!!

 

[RSNovi]

Our Ex also exhibits this problem with 30k miles on it. It seems more like a catalytic converter smell. I usually smell the same smell when I am following another card that does an acceleration. Now when I do an acceleration the car fills with the smell.

 

[peterk9]

Our Ex also exhibits this problem with 30k miles on it. It seems more like a catalytic converter smell. I usually smell the same smell when I am following another card that does an acceleration. Now when I do an acceleration the car fills with the smell.

I think the catalytic smell is more like sulphur or rotten eggs. People here seem to be comparing it to burnt oil. I'm lucky so far. No smell of either kind.

Peter

 

[Javelin62]

I have noticed this smell also, it's not real bad but it is there ! I only smell it when the vents pull air in from the outside, if keep in on recirculate i don't smell it at all.

Outside the vehicle i smell it most by the right front wheel. I hope Ford pinpoints the problem!

 

[splurph16]

I have noticed this smell also, it's not real bad but it is there ! I only smell it when the vents pull air in from the outside, if keep in on recirculate i don't smell it at all.

Outside the vehicle i smell it most by the right front wheel. I hope Ford pinpoints the problem!

That is exactly what I was experiencing on my 2013. A Field Service Engineer diagnosed the vehicle and found that the odor was coming from the coolant system. The dealer replaced 6 hoses (upper and lower radiator hoses, 2 bypass hoses, and 2 heater hoses), replaced the coolant reservoir and flushed the coolant system. Apparently the gases from the system were getting by the cap on the reservoir. I have had no issues since the fix. Hope this information helps.

 

[VinceL]

My cabin fills with the poisonous smell even with the recalculate on. Seems to me like it is seeping in from the shift area not blown in by the air conditioning. Service tech said today they have no idea how to fix it and ford told them they are working on a fix but don't expect one till late 2012. I will not expose my wife and 20 month old to this poisonous smell any longer!!!!!!!!

Our Ex also exhibits this problem with 30k miles on it. It seems more like a catalytic converter smell. I usually smell the same smell when I am following another card that does an acceleration. Now when I do an acceleration the car fills with the smell.

I think the catalytic smell is more like sulphur or rotten eggs. People here seem to be comparing it to burnt oil. I'm lucky so far. No smell of either kind.

Peter

I have noticed this smell also, it's not real bad but it is there ! I only smell it when the vents pull air in from the outside, if keep in on recirculate i don't smell it at all.

Outside the vehicle i smell it most by the right front wheel. I hope Ford pinpoints the problem!

In our car, it is a catalytic converter smell, exactly as described, like I am following another car and pulling in their exhaust into the car. Also, our symptoms are worse when the recirc is ON. If we are pulling fresh air into the car, the smell is either barely there, or not at all. The weird thing is that if I accelerate briskly with the recirc off, no smell, but if I come to a stop in a short distance, the stink seems to catch up and get pulled into the cabin. It is very odd.

One thing I would like to try and haven't yet is to turn OFF the rear A/C and have the car on recirc and see if the smell is still drawn into the cabin. I am wondering if in our car, the rear A/C isn't triggering some sort of scenario where fresh air is being drawn into the car from the rear some how (not that I can imagine a way it would). Maybe the aerodynamics of the car is screwing with one of the plenums inside the car (which I assume it has) that creates a low pressure zone in the car that is pulling air from behind. I just can't figure it out.