Bad or Burnt Exhaust smell in cabin during hard acceleration.

[cnfritz]

2013 Ford Explorer 2500 miles, has been back to dealer for this once. Did not fix my problem.
When driving at normal speeds and you get on the gas, say to pass someone, or merge into traffic I get an exhaust smell coming from the back seat area. Air is on reirc. I have to roll windows down turn off recirc.. and air it out. It happens every time I accelerate as stated above.
I am afraid to put my Grandchildren in the car for fear of this smell. Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem?

 

[peterk9]

2013 Ford Explorer 2500 miles, has been back to dealer for this once. Did not fix my problem.
When driving at normal speeds and you get on the gas, say to pass someone, or merge into traffic I get an exhaust smell coming from the back seat area. Air is on reirc. I have to roll windows down turn off recirc.. and air it out. It happens every time I accelerate as stated above.
I am afraid to put my Grandchildren in the car for fear of this smell. Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem?

Welcome to the Forum cnfritz.:wavey:
If you do a 'search' for this problem you will find that there are several threads on it. There is also a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on the problem.
TSB 12-12-4. The 2nd link below has pictures.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323597&highlight=smell

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375226&highlight=smell

It would also be very helpful for members in answering your future concerns if you showed which model of 2013 Explorer you own. Currently it just shows 2013 Ford Explorer but no model.

Peter

 

[HughCares]

I am afraid to put my Grandchildren in the car for fear of this smell. Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem?

Strap them to the roof?!

 

[VinceL]

cnfritz, we have the exact same problem. Above 4000 RPM and we get the smell. We just had the TSB performed on our car and it failed to remedy the problem. Not sure where to go now. We'd keep the recirc off in the car, but the Explorer's weak A/C can't keep up with the Houston heat.

 

[Bryceb]

We dropped ours off this morning for this and an oil change and the recall.. also added a complaint about MFT acting flaky on a 2000 mile trip we just completed and the drivers seat leather looking warn after 6mo.

 

[peterk9]

cnfritz, we have the exact same problem. Above 4000 RPM and we get the smell. We just had the TSB performed on our car and it failed to remedy the problem. Not sure where to go now. We'd keep the recirc off in the car, but the Explorer's weak A/C can't keep up with the Houston heat.

It seems that this 'repair' is a hit or miss fix. Some have reported that the smell is gone while others, like you, unfortunately report that it is still there.
There were a few days here when the temperature, 90 F + humidity made it feels like 105 F or more and the A/C worked fine. Didn't even use MAX A/C. That weather is probably like a cool summer day in Houston.
I haven't driven the Ex for the past week but I'll have to break down and fire her up today to do some grocery shopping. Coming up to 9000 miles!
Stay cool my friend.

Peter

 

[cnfritz]

I apologize this is all new to me, It is a 2013 limited edition 3.5 liter explorer. Thanks for all the responses. Looking into the links you provided, though it is not the burnt oil smell. Thanks

 

[peterk9]

I apologize this is all new to me, It is a 2013 limited edition 3.5 liter explorer. Thanks for all the responses. Looking into the links you provided, though it is not the burnt oil smell. Thanks

No need to apologize. It's called 'growing pains'. I'm sure most of us have gone through that stage. Like the Explorer, the forum has a bit of a learning curve as well. We are here to help. Good luck.

Peter

 

[Bryceb]

We dropped ours off this morning for this and an oil change and the recall.. also added a complaint about MFT acting flaky on a 2000 mile trip we just completed and the drivers seat leather looking warn after 6mo.

So.. I guess I'll have to take them for a ride since they couldn't reproduce the smell.

But a new APM of MFT, Oil change and a transmission leak is being fixed.
Not sure about the recall will get done yet.

 

[kellyangelo27]

2013 Ford Explorer 2500 miles, has been back to dealer for this once. Did not fix my problem.
When driving at normal speeds and you get on the gas, say to pass someone, or merge into traffic I get an exhaust smell coming from the back seat area. Air is on reirc. I have to roll windows down turn off recirc.. and air it out. It happens every time I accelerate as stated above.
I am afraid to put my Grandchildren in the car for fear of this smell. Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem?

I've noticed the same problem with my Ex. This is the 3rd time when i reach 70mph that my wife is complaining that she smell from 2nd row seat the burnt smell. Air is always on Recirculation, what i did is turned it off and the smell is gone. I also noticed when i park that there is "water"? (not so sure) dripping at rear area near in exhaust(left side). I checked it and found out its coming from a tube, no idea if what part/tube in there..

 

[peterk9]

I've noticed the same problem with my Ex. This is the 3rd time when i reach 70mph that my wife is complaining that she smell from 2nd row seat the burnt smell. Air is always on Recirculation, what i did is turned it off and the smell is gone. I also noticed when i park that there is "water"? (not so sure) dripping at rear area near in exhaust(left side). I checked it and found out its coming from a tube, no idea if what part/tube in there..

Welcome to the Forum kellyangelo27. :wavey:
The water dripping is most likely from the rear A/C if you had that on.

Peter

 

[FordService]

2013 Ford Explorer 2500 miles, has been back to dealer for this once. Did not fix my problem...

I've noticed the same problem with my Ex. This is the 3rd time when i reach 70mph that my wife is complaining that she smell from 2nd row seat the burnt smell...

Hi cnfritz and kellyangelo27,

I want to look into each of your cases and see how I can assist. Send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll do the rest!

We dropped ours off this morning for this and an oil change and the recall...

How did your service appointment go, Bryceb? Give me a shout if you need any assistance.

Crystal

 

[Bryceb]

How did your service appointment go, Bryceb? Give me a shout if you need any assistance.

Crystal

Well... they say they can't smell anything. I guess the service manager's going to need to go on a ride with me.
Right now, the are replacing the APM and fixing a transmission leak that we didn't know existed until they changed the oil.

Update.. looks like the transmission leak is going to wait... the transmission guy at the dealer looked at it ordered parts and is sending it home until they get parts as it's very minor (I didn't notice any spots on the driveway). they can have it back after vacation.

 

[Bryceb]

I'll admit, I didn't read all 25 pages, but I did try to search...
has anyone placed a CO Carbon Monoxide meter in their car that get this smell?
I'm curious if there's a real health hazard or just a nasty smell.

 

[FordService]

Well... they say they can't smell anything. I guess the service manager's going to need to go on a ride with me.
Right now, the are replacing the APM and fixing a transmission leak that we didn't know existed until they changed the oil.

Update.. looks like the transmission leak is going to wait... the transmission guy at the dealer looked at it ordered parts and is sending it home until they get parts as it's very minor (I didn't notice any spots on the driveway). they can have it back after vacation.

Thanks for taking the time to update us, Bryceb. Keep us updated on any developments; if you need me to step in, you know how to reach me.

Crystal

 

[grosa_2002]

If you smell it, it's not good for you.

I'll admit, I didn't read all 25 pages, but I did try to search...
has anyone placed a CO Carbon Monoxide meter in their car that get this smell?
I'm curious if there's a real health hazard or just a nasty smell.

The thought crossed my mind when the service adviser said the technician did not notice the smell. They went ahead and did the TSB 12.12.4 after ordering the parts which they did not have. There was an 80% improvement, I inspected the underside and found a very sloppy job of sealing was done so I purchased some rubberized undercoating and sealed the remaining seams that had not been sealed. I also went over the areas that had been sealed with the off white sealer to make it look a little better.

The thing with this problem is, that you have to accelerate pretty aggressively like WOT merging onto a highway and the smell will enter the vehicle after a few seconds. Most drivers never accelerate like that so it's not perceived as a major issue. Forgive me Customer Service Reps if you see this differently, but I work on aircraft; and when an issue is identified; ALL the a/c are modified to correct the issue not just the ones that complain.

That would have been my next step if the dealer had not responded, I would have rented or purchased a carbon monoxide tester and taken him for a ride.

 

[fordfan12]

Well I solved all my 2012 Limited problems..My ford touch blank, strong coolant smell from the front vents, exhaust filling the cabin during hard acceleration, and the A pillar wind noise. I took the title to the dealer and traded it in for a '07 V8 Explorer and a large cashiers check. LOVE IT! Should have purchased it to begin with. 21-23mpg hwy with the 4.6 V8 about the same as my 2012 3.5 V6 and it will tow 7300 lbs and is quite a bit roomier inside. Have to say the RWD is much better than FWD in my opinion for towing. The 2012 was a beautiful vehicle inside and out, but how disappointed I was with all of its problems with only 4K miles. Traded a 2010 Platinum F150 I purchased new on the '12 Explorer, its Microsoft sync touchscreen system was 100% better than the my ford touch..it actually worked and had rather quick response. Good luck on the repairs.

 

[volcanoclimber]

Hello,

I also have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT with the standard V6 engine. I am having the same exhaust smell your describing and do agree it only happens when your traveling at high speed as in the Freeway and when you punch it to pass a vehicle etc., the exhaust smell enters the cabin. I do not agree that this smell is any sort of break in. I purchased the vehicle new on January and now as of July 1st, I have 13,400 on the odometer and the smell persists. I have already brought this up to my service adviser and they quickly shake it off by stating its the break in odor. I do not agree, this is not the first new vehicle I've purchased and I know exactly that this is an exhaust smell. The A/C can be on or not, but as long as the vents are open, the odor will come in on accelerations or in other words, when you need to punch it. I have smelled this odor before on a vehicle that had a leak on the manifold. However on that vehicle the odor was constant. This is a health concern for me and my family. My wife has Systemic Lupus and this is a serious concern. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one experiencing this issue, and I am expecting Ford to correct this. I've already taken my Explorer on a road trip to the Grand Canyon and have put on miles, enough time to have any so called new car break in to fade.

 

[peterk9]

Hello,

I also have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT with the standard V6 engine. I am having the same exhaust smell your describing and do agree it only happens when your traveling at high speed as in the Freeway and when you punch it to pass a vehicle etc., the exhaust smell enters the cabin. I do not agree that this smell is any sort of break in. I purchased the vehicle new on January and now as of July 1st, I have 13,400 on the odometer and the smell persists. I have already brought this up to my service adviser and they quickly shake it off by stating its the break in odor. I do not agree, this is not the first new vehicle I've purchased and I know exactly that this is an exhaust smell. The A/C can be on or not, but as long as the vents are open, the odor will come in on accelerations or in other words, when you need to punch it. I have smelled this odor before on a vehicle that had a leak on the manifold. However on that vehicle the odor was constant. This is a health concern for me and my family. My wife has Systemic Lupus and this is a serious concern. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one experiencing this issue, and I am expecting Ford to correct this. I've already taken my Explorer on a road trip to the Grand Canyon and have put on miles, enough time to have any so called new car break in to fade.

Welcome to the Forum volcanoclimber. :wavey:
I think you should go back to your dealer and advise them to check out TSB 12-12-4 for exhaust entering cabin.
I have a 2011 and never did have any so called 'break-in' smell at all. I think your dealer either isn't familiar with the issue and TSB or just wants to get out of doing the work required to correct it. The procedure is shown in post #12 in this thread.
Good luck and if your dealer still gives you a difficult time you can either go to another dealer or send the Ford Rep (crystal) who monitors this Forum a Private Message. Just go to a post by FordService and click on that name in the left margin. Then select 'Send a private message....'. She will require your VIN, dealer name, Location, approx. mileage and your contact info. She can the get the Regional Service Manage involved.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[FordService]

Hello,

I also have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT with the standard V6 engine. I am having the same exhaust smell your describing and do agree it only happens when your traveling at high speed as in the Freeway and when you punch it to pass a vehicle etc., the exhaust smell enters the cabin...

Hi volcanoclimber.

I'd be more than happy to take a look at this for you. Can you PM me your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info?

Ashley