Bad or Burnt Exhaust smell in cabin during hard acceleration.

[cranetek74]

sulphur smell

well took my 2013 Explorer Sport in for the horrible smell and they completed the latest TSB 12-12-4 but this did not correct the issue, the dealer is supposed to contact the hotline to see what else can be done, i think there is a aero issue on the back of the explorers, the air is very turbulent off the back of the vehicle, that is one reason you can't keep the back of the vehicle clean, think they might need to redesign the spoiler on the lift gate with a slight upward angle to get the air to flow off the back of the vehicle. just a possible idea, ford rep if you are monitoring this can you please contact me? I hope there is a fix, love the power and ride, but hate the smell

 

[peterk9]

well took my 2013 Explorer Sport in for the horrible smell and they completed the latest TSB 12-12-4 but this did not correct the issue, the dealer is supposed to contact the hotline to see what else can be done, i think there is a aero issue on the back of the explorers, the air is very turbulent off the back of the vehicle, that is one reason you can't keep the back of the vehicle clean, think they might need to redesign the spoiler on the lift gate with a slight upward angle to get the air to flow off the back of the vehicle. just a possible idea, ford rep if you are monitoring this can you please contact me? I hope there is a fix, love the power and ride, but hate the smell

Welcome to the Forum cranetek74.:wavey:
My three previous Highlanders with rear spoilers all had the same issue with dirt on the back. I think it is "the nature of the beast".
In addition to my PM about contacting the Ford reps, you can use this link as well; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=157968 The link is different for Canadian members. Crystal usually covers the day shift and Ashley the evening.
When sending them a PM, be sure to include your name, daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealership info in your message.

Peter

 

[dtr]

This should not be happening

But how long does it take to blow fresh air thru the vehicle to clear the air after a hard acceleration? :scratch:

Why are people selling their vehicles? I already have to clear the air if behind a bus or stopped next to a diesel truck at a stop light.

How is this different?

 

[FordService]

...ford rep if you are monitoring this can you please contact me? I hope there is a fix, love the power and ride, but hate the smell

Hi cranetek74,

I got your PM and responded; check out your inbox for my reply.

Crystal

 

[kennyholmes46]

Had Plugs changed at 100k miles....

and began smelling burnt oil/fuel in the cabin on hard acceleration... turned out the mechanic cross threaded a plug when installing on my 2006 6 cyl xlt.
went to a different mechanic after 2 weeks of smelling this coming into the cabin, and he found ne of the plugs was cross threaded.. he cleaned out the threads, put in a new plug (using his fingers instead of a wrench to set the plug) then tightened it with a wrench... the smell stopped. He told me that Ford sometimes cross threads a plug or two when the engines are manufactured... and that usually causes the problem, even on new engines.

 

[peterk9]

and began smelling burnt oil/fuel in the cabin on hard acceleration... turned out the mechanic cross threaded a plug when installing on my 2006 6 cyl xlt.
went to a different mechanic after 2 weeks of smelling this coming into the cabin, and he found ne of the plugs was cross threaded.. he cleaned out the threads, put in a new plug (using his fingers instead of a wrench to set the plug) then tightened it with a wrench... the smell stopped. He told me that Ford sometimes cross threads a plug or two when the engines are manufactured... and that usually causes the problem, even on new engines.

Welcome to the Forum kennyholmes46.:wavey:
Well that is definitely a new angle on this issue. Do you have a 5rg gen Explorer or just the 2007XLT? Thanks for that tip.

Peter

 

[kennyholmes46]

its really a 2006 xlt

 

[JFUSION]

I don't get a burned smell, I just get the bad rotten exhaust smell, and I believe it enters the vehicle due to the aero design of the rear end like mentioned in one of the above posts.

 

[cranetek74]

rotten eggs

Well my ex sport has been at dealer for nearly two weeks with no fix, my regional manager has been a big help and was able to authorize a rental while my ex was in shop over the holiday
(Thanks James) well the tech guys at ford say there is a reprogram coming to reduce the pressure in the engine which is causing this issue, i hope this means that they are not reducing the boost, that would be bad, bought EX for its horsepower, maybe one of the guys at livernois can tell us if they have experienced this issue while doing dyno pulls. That would tell us if it is a aero issue or not. Will update as soon as i have more info from FORD.

 

[peterk9]

Well my ex sport has been at dealer for nearly two weeks with no fix, my regional manager has been a big help and was able to authorize a rental while my ex was in shop over the holiday
(Thanks James) well the tech guys at ford say there is a reprogram coming to reduce the pressure in the engine which is causing this issue, i hope this means that they are not reducing the boost, that would be bad, bought EX for its horsepower, maybe one of the guys at livernois can tell us if they have experienced this issue while doing dyno pulls. That would tell us if it is a aero issue or not. Will update as soon as i have more info from FORD.

This odour is also a complaint in non Ecoboost Explorers. It usually occurs when you step on the gas hard forcing more exhaust through the exhaust system This problem became quite common when catalytic convertors were introduced. It is mainly this convertor that is responsible for the rotten egg/sulphur smell. There is another post that says Ford will be making a change to the catalytic convertor by removing the platinum that is in it. Although I'm no expert, I doubt reducing the pressure in the engine is the source of the problem. But I've been wrong before and it likely won't stop here.

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

tech guys at ford say there is a reprogram coming to reduce the pressure in the engine which is causing this issue

Can't even comprehend this.. Doesn't make sense at all to me. It is definitely exhaust related because I don't believe cars make this smell normally. Something within the cat or mufflers is creating it.

I think it is aerodynamics that is causing it to enter the vehicle but not causing the smell. Where I am at in NH, it is into the negatives at times at night and single digits to teens during the day. Our Ex stays in the garage where it is in the 40's but when we go outside and step on it (I don't have the smell), the exhaust rolls up so much that you can't see out the back window until you let off the vehicle.

That to me is where you are getting the smell, from it rolling under and up as opposed to out the rear.

but aerodynamics doesn't necessarily fix the problem because the smell would still exist, just not necessarily enter the vehicle as much or at all.

 

[tazmanken]

I do not get how this burning smell issue can not be identified at a minimum after several years of production. Actually I do not understand why it has not been eliminated.

BTW The musty smell from the ac has been occurring for decades in ford products when on max ac and it freezes up you get the musty smell for a while. You have to run the ac at a lower setting.

Just so you know it is not just the Explores having this issue,my 2013 Edge SE is doing this also,if I push the gas three quarters or more the smell comes in the cabin and we get a headache from it,the dealer found a few aluminum stickers on the muffler and took them off then told me the smell was gone, well its not gone and after 7,000 miles is still as bad as day 1.My dealer calls once a month to tell me they still dont know anything.Im not selling my edge and losing money so I have adjusted my driving.Im leasing it and Im sure next year when I turn it in the smell will still be there,I was wanting to get another edge sport or a Explorer sport next time but because of this Ill probably go back to Chevy and its a shame because the edge is a really nice vehicle.

 

[peterk9]

Just so you know it is not just the Explores having this issue,my 2013 Edge SE is doing this also,if I push the gas three quarters or more the smell comes in the cabin and we get a headache from it,the dealer found a few aluminum stickers on the muffler and took them off then told me the smell was gone, well its not gone and after 7,000 miles is still as bad as day 1.My dealer calls once a month to tell me they still dont know anything.Im not selling my edge and losing money so I have adjusted my driving.Im leasing it and Im sure next year when I turn it in the smell will still be there,I was wanting to get another edge sport or a Explorer sport next time but because of this Ill probably go back to Chevy and its a shame because the edge is a really nice vehicle.

If you are talking about the rotten egg/sulphur smell, it isn't unusual for any vehicle to produce that under hard acceleration but it should not enter the cabin. If you are referring to the 'burned oil' smell then that is something that I don't think should be there at all. So far my 2011 as not had either even when the 'passing gear' is used, but then I seldom have a need to accelerate that quickly.

Peter

 

[OKC_Explorer]

I think it is aerodynamics that is causing it to enter the vehicle but not causing the smell. Where I am at in NH, it is into the negatives at times at night and single digits to teens during the day. Our Ex stays in the garage where it is in the 40's but when we go outside and step on it (I don't have the smell), the exhaust rolls up so much that you can't see out the back window until you let off the vehicle.

That to me is where you are getting the smell, from it rolling under and up as opposed to out the rear.

but aerodynamics doesn't necessarily fix the problem because the smell would still exist, just not necessarily enter the vehicle as much or at all.

+1 there Mr Smoke. Aerodynamics plays a definitive role in this case.

Any flow outside the vehicle that gets in has some physical mechanism to do so. There are three that come to mind:

1) Forced entry: the air is drawn through a forcing mechanism (ie, a fan) and directed into the cabin. Such as possibly an AC fan sucking outside air into the car.
2) Suction: The shape of the vehicle, when in motion, will cause the air pressure inside the vehicle to fall slightly below ambient pressure. So now all we need is an entry point (such as a bad rear hatch seal, or a break in the seal) and walla - you get whatever exhaust/cat smell is behind the car entering inside. ps: the rear hatch spoiler makes the drag pocket at the rear of the car worse. Taking it off would probably lessen the issue, but it wouldn't look as cool.
3) Positive pressure: With the car moving, the velocity of the air outside creates dynamic pressure points (think base of windshield; B or C pillar exposure with window down, etc) which can direct outside flow to the inside.

I think, given all the attention this has gotten, and the apparent variability of the problem, that there's multiple issues at hand. I also believe there's no way to eliminate the source of the smell - which I think are the cat's - but we maybe can eliminate the physical mechanism for entry. That's where I agree with BlowinSmoke.

I recently drove a brand new '14 Limited and it stunk. But the one I just took home is clean (I tested for it - thanks to the Forum).

 

[tazmanken]

Well got a call from my dealer today and was told Ford is not going to do anything about the exhaust fumes coming in the cabin of my 2012 Edge,they took some aluminum stickers off the exhaust pipes last fall and told me that was the smell I was getting,well NO it was NOT the smell it IS exhaust fumes.Im leasing this edge and was going to get another Ford after my lease was up but Im thinking Im going to a different manufacture when my lease is up. Its pretty sad that Ford tells me they will do NOTHING.So pretty much Ford told me they dont give a **** about my life or health.Thanks Ford

 

[zizo]

Half solution

XLT 2013 Kuwait
First I suffered from the problem of smell 8 months when accelerating and I went to the agency many times but the answer is always waiting for a response from the company in the U.S.

But now, after searching the internet sites I understand that there are two parts for this problem


1 - smell with air conditioning when accelerating with closed windows

2- The smell of interference when accelerating and the front window is open only

first

For the first was solved on YouTube in soud Arabia that back door is not well-insulated and there are slots intervention when the exhaust pressure change in the car with the acceleration was explained in detail and solved 100% and did not enter the smell when windows closed with the air-conditioning

http://youtu.be/HBenNkf4vEA


secand

until now if the front window open with the high acceleration unfortunately you can smell it


i hope this will help

 

[peterk9]

XLT 2013 Kuwait
First I suffered from the problem of smell 8 months when accelerating and I went to the agency many times but the answer is always waiting for a response from the company in the U.S.

But now, after searching the internet sites I understand that there are two parts for this problem


1 - smell with air conditioning when accelerating with closed windows

2- The smell of interference when accelerating and the front window is open only

first

For the first was solved on YouTube in soud Arabia that back door is not well-insulated and there are slots intervention when the exhaust pressure change in the car with the acceleration was explained in detail and solved 100% and did not enter the smell when windows closed with the air-conditioning

http://youtu.be/HBenNkf4vEA


secand

until now if the front window open with the high acceleration unfortunately you can smell it


i hope this will help

Welcome to the Forum zizo.:wavey:
Thanks for posting. So far in 3 years of having my Explorer I have not had any of the smells that some members are being subjected to.

Peter

 

[FordService]

Well got a call from my dealer today and was told Ford is not going to do anything about the exhaust fumes coming in the cabin of my 2012 Edge...

Hi tazmanken,

Send me your info in a PM so I can look into ways to help. Be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership so I can start researching options.

Crystal

 

[Aquineas]

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum and I just spent more than two hours reading this (massive!!) thread. I had my eye on a 2014 Explorer Sport to replace our 2013 Fusion Hybrid Titanium (which unfortunately doesn't have enough room for our tastes). Let me just say I'm very happy I found this. While I'm happy I found the thread, I feel bad for those that have had to suffer so that I benefit. In any case, if anyone else is researching, here's a quick summary:

• A statistically relevant portion of the ownership community have experienced, and continue to experience in some cases, a very unpleasant odor when accelerating at wide-open throttle. This only seems to affect the 3.5 V6 vehicles, and thus far, while 2011 seems to be the most represented, owners of later model years (up to and including 2014) have also reported the problem.
• That "bad smell" has varied in description. Some folks describe it as a burning oil sensation (to me, this would be the most unpleasant). Other folks have had a "rotten egg" smell, while others still have described an exhaust smell. It's not clear that these symptoms are at all caused by the same issue
• Ford has issued a TSB which basically involves re-sealing the bottom of the vehicle and some other adjustments, particularly in the back. This has worked completely for some, while others have noticed a significant reduction in fumes, while a smaller percentage seems to report no change at all.
• A couple of vehicles that have reported the burning oil smell had an accumulation of black fluid on the muffler; there has been very limited speculation by those that it was caused by a leaking PTU (power transfer unit)

Please note that none of these are conclusions and I'm not a mechanic. The majority of EX owners probably never experience this issue, and it does seem to be limited to wide-open-throttle. I'm just summarizing what it just took me a few hours to gather. To the credit of Ford customer service reps, they seem to be very actively engaged in getting people into their dealers to get the problem looked at and prioritized correctly. It's not clear unfortunately that the solution (the aforementioned TSB) is working for as many people as one would hope.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Aquineas.:wavey:
Thanks for the summary. It is indeed unfortunate that there have been so many reports on this issue. Fortunately, my 2011 has not encountered the problem.
The good think, I guess, is that the last report from an Explorer owner about this issue was back in December.

Peter