Bad or Burnt Exhaust smell in cabin during hard acceleration.

[DesrtExplorer]

Having the 'Re-circulation ON' AND the 'Rear A/C' ON seems to be the key to reproducing the smell in my case. I could drive all day with the A/C working and Re-circulation OFF and not smell anything. But temperatures here reach upwards of 50 degrees Celsius and keeping the Re-circulation ON helps with the cooling.

Welcome to the Forum tnt_12.:wavey:
I think that you are very much over exaggerating the number of vehicles with this problem. None of the owners that I have spoken with in my area seem to have this problem. Keep in mind that those members here reporting the problem are but a very small percentage of the total number of owners. My A/C ran most of the Summer without pulling any exhaust gases into the cabin.
From reading the posts on this issue, it also seems that people are getting different smells from different areas. Some are getting it pulled in due to the A/C and there is another post where it is coming in around the back vents due to the exhaust coming from the muffler design. There are reports of burned oil smells as well as sulphur (rotten egg) smells. There are reports of cooling hoses being replaced and the situation improved, but only temporarily.
So I doubt that the exact problem has been identified yet.
For those with the issue, I hope it is resolved soon.

Peter

Regardless of where or what the smell is... There seems to be a genuine problem being faced by FORD customers!! Does not matter how small the number. Take into account people who don't search on the internet or visit this forum. Also take into account people who will bear with it thinking that its the 'break-in' period smell. Experiencing this problem is related to driving habits also. People who do not accelerate hard might never notice the smell at all!!! Then there are some who never use the Climate Control at all (trust me there are such people!!).

I know FORD will fix the problem...but when is the question. This model is already in its third year!!

 

[gpzrider]

Welcome to the Forum tnt_12.:wavey:
I think that you are very much over exaggerating the number of vehicles with this problem.

Peter, you seem to have your finger on the pulse of all things Explorer whether good or bad. Can you do a quick calculation and add up the number of Explorers sold since 2011? Looking at this thread it starts pretty early in 2011, my car is a 2012 and 2013 buyers are experiencing the same problem. According to the Ford Tech that looked at my vehicle, (not the service tech-- the Ford Representative) he indicated that it is a design problem that is being rectified so it requires more work than a normal TSB. There has been no indication that Ford fixed this design problem on the assembly line so that would lead me to believe that it exists in every Explorer sold. Whether it manifests itself in every vehicle--is a different issue.

 

[peterk9]

Peter, you seem to have your finger on the pulse of all things Explorer whether good or bad. Can you do a quick calculation and add up the number of Explorers sold since 2011? Looking at this thread it starts pretty early in 2011, my car is a 2012 and 2013 buyers are experiencing the same problem. According to the Ford Tech that looked at my vehicle, (not the service tech-- the Ford Representative) he indicated that it is a design problem that is being rectified so it requires more work than a normal TSB. There has been no indication that Ford fixed this design problem on the assembly line so that would lead me to believe that it exists in every Explorer sold. Whether it manifests itself in every vehicle--is a different issue.

That is basically what I was referring to. The smell. I didn't dispute that there may be a design problem.
If you have to have all vents and A/C front and rear running and then have to floor it from a dead stop, I'll never have the problem. If that is what it takes to produce "the smell", then I would think the solution is quite simple. Don't do it until Ford comes out with a solution. I have used the 'passing gear' a few times with A/C on and no problem with any smell.

Peter

 

[dragonexplorer12]

For those not seeing the problem yet try this. If anyone does let us know how you make out, thanks.

Enable the rear A/C in the touch screen. I believe that it comes off from the factory so you have to turn it on. Turn up the rear fan also. Open the four round vents in the ceiling in the back.

Turn the A/C recirculate on.

Go to a stop sign, light or highway entrance ramp where you can accelerate up to 55 or 70 mph. Accelerate up from a dead stop at full throttle.

After you get up to 70 and let off the gas, in a few more seconds you should get plenty of exhaust in the car.

Since A/C system of the Limited EX operates quite well without me having to turn on the rear A/C, the burnt oil smell definitely came from the front for mine. I've experienced this going from 0-100kms while flooring the EX. I also noticed that the system automatically shuts off the Recirculation to compensate for power demand. Thus, recirculation off means smell in the cabin. Again, I've done hard acceleration from the get-go only once just to see if there's that smell.

I have not tried to accelerate hard without the A/C on and recirc off because of the hot and humid temp here. But I think, some members have already reproduced the smell even without the A/C on.

By the way, there are 2 other EX owners here in the Philippines who have noted and reported of the same smell during hard acceleration. So, add 3 (myself including) more confirmed issues.

 

[VinceL]

That is basically what I was referring to. The smell. I didn't dispute that there may be a design problem.
If you have to have all vents and A/C front and rear running and then have to floor it from a dead stop, I'll never have the problem. If that is what it takes to produce "the smell", then I would think the solution is quite simple. Don't do it until Ford comes out with a solution. I have used the 'passing gear' a few times with A/C on and no problem with any smell.

Peter

Try just using the front A/C here in Houston when it is 100+, with humidity over 95% and people are sitting in your 3rd row. Your solution is a recipe for murder

Also, so you know, it doesn't take flooring it to reproduce the smell. On our vacation, crawling up and down the Rocky Mountains a time or two (), every time it downshifted to climb a steeper grade, the smell would happen, like clockwork. That was using the cruise control, so as far as I know, the car wasn't pegging the throttle.

I have also determined the issue in our car is independent of the rear A/C being on or off (yes, I tested it). I have also noticed this: when going to the daycare to pickup little-man, there is a stop light I have to make a right turn at that is about 50 yards from the driveway to the daycare. So I punch it to make it into traffic, then duck quickly into the driveway and park the car. When I step out, the car is positively enveloped in that stench. It is VERY strong and pungent. The smell is still present after I come back to the car! I simply have never had a car smell like this. Performing the same maneuver in my Subie, no problems. No smells, stinks, no nothing. Both cars get gas from the same gas station (and even the same pump, lol. I am a stickler for accurate gas mileage data!). Never had this issue with the car the Ex replaced either. So the issue is unique to the Ford.

It is not the end of the world, but I am wondering exactly what is making its way into the car. Is it just foul smelling or is it something more sinister?

 

[lhc_tech]

Carbon Monoxide Testing Performed??

I own a 2011 LTD with 17,000 miles that displays the sulfur odor on hard acceleration, windows up, recirculation on and either heat or AC. The odor fills the cabin from rear to front. I figured this out when my small children alerted me that they had smelt it in the 3rd row, moments later the odor was noticeable in the front row.

I will be taking ours to the dealer this week and hopefully there's a solution.

Safety Issue?I have prior work experience with Ford related safety issues (previously worked for Ford via contract for lemon law escalations). And as an owner, my major concern is simple; safety. If bi-products from the exhaust (spent cat exhaust odor is sulfur like) is making its way into the cabin then so is the CO that comes with it. I may have missed it, but I did not read any responses regarding CO testing. I plan to purchase two CO detectors and place them in the cabin front and rear and retest. If either detector triggers, my first stop will be the dealership, as this indicates a potentially dangerous level of CO is entering the cabin. If they are unable to locate the source and resolve it, I will then ecalate via the Ford Area Manager and file a safety / legal complaint with the FCAC and NHTSA. My hope is that high levels of CO are not present.

If anyone has seen an SSM or TSB number they can share please send it my way.

Cory (FCAC) - You likely have access to these bulletins and any internal memos on this issue. Please free to contact me if there's a known resolution you'd like to share or an update on any recent findings at FORD TAC. Any help would be appreciated.


-Loyal Ford Owner

 

[blwnsmoke]

So today I finally smelled the sulfur odor for the first time. I had pulled off of a side street onto a main single lane highway which is a 55mph area. I floored it pretty well and did a 1-2 and 2-3 shift at close to 6,000rpm.. within a few seconds the whole cabin filled up with the sulfur smell (not burnt oil). This is the first time I've smelled this in the 31,000 miles I've had the Ex (2011). I couldn't believe how overwhelming this smell was inside the cabin!!

 

[VinceL]

CO detectors... interesting idea. $20-$30 at Lowe's. Might be doing this myself.

 

[dragonexplorer12]

I've noticed the smell definitely coming in from the front during that one time. After that, I avoid hard accelerations under normal circumstances; I only push the EX when passing another car. So far no smell since then.

By the way, is the smell present whether in AWD or FWD? Mine is AWD. Only AWD came out for the Limited here in the Philippines.

 

[peterk9]

So today I finally smelled the sulfur odor for the first time. I had pulled off of a side street onto a main single lane highway which is a 55mph area. I floored it pretty well and did a 1-2 and 2-3 shift at close to 6,000rpm.. within a few seconds the whole cabin filled up with the sulfur smell (not burnt oil). This is the first time I've smelled this in the 31,000 miles I've had the Ex (2011). I couldn't believe how overwhelming this smell was inside the cabin!!

Suphur type odours are usually the result of exhaust gases passing through the catalytic converter. There is sulphur in the fuel you buy and often if the engine isn't burning it completely, it is stored in the converter. Then when you add load (hard acceleration) to the engine and force more air through the converter, it is released as hydrogen sulfide. Some gasoline brands contain higher levels of sulphur than others. Changing gasoline brands may help alleviate or reduce the problem.
If you notice the smell on a regular basis, then there may be a fuel mixture problem related to a sensor or misconfigured computer.

Peter

 

[tnt_12]

Peter, the problem is exhaust is getting into the car with the windows closed, this is bad and should not happen. As folks are saying here, it will come in some any time you get on the gas pedal 3/4 or so. But if you do the full throttle 0-60 run with the rear A/C running this is the worst case scenario, you will be shocked at how much exhaust gets into the car.

 

[tnt_12]

.

 

[peterk9]

Peter, the problem is exhaust is getting into the car with the windows closed, this is bad and should not happen. As folks are saying here, it will come in some any time you get on the gas pedal 3/4 or so. But if you do the full throttle 0-60 run with the rear A/C running this is the worst case scenario, you will be shocked at how much exhaust gets into the car.

I fully agree with you on that part. Fumes should not be pulled into the cabin under any condition. I was just trying to explain the possible reason for the sulphur odour mentioned in the post.

Peter

 

[gpzrider]

I fully agree with you on that part. Fumes should not be pulled into the cabin under any condition. I was just trying to explain the possible reason for the sulphur odour mentioned in the post.

We already know why there is a sulphur smell entering the cabin. It is not a computer that needs to be rebooted, or a sensor that is out of spec, nor the use of cheap gas. It is a design problem plain and simple. Ford has acknowledged it. The plethora of excuses you formulate on the matter really aggravates those suffering from the problem. You are one of the lucky ones that does not have to decide each and every time while entering a Southern California freeway, do I:

1. Shut off the air conditioning so that I don't poison myself accelerating briskly, or
2 Do I, merge slowly in front of a fast moving semi without accelerating, or
3. Do I, open the windows ahead of time to quicken the removal of sulphuric gases from the passenger compartment of my $45,000 vehicle?

 

[peterk9]

We already know why there is a sulphur smell entering the cabin. It is not a computer that needs to be rebooted, or a sensor that is out of spec, nor the use of cheap gas. It is a design problem plain and simple. Ford has acknowledged it. The plethora of excuses you formulate on the matter really aggravates those suffering from the problem. You are one of the lucky ones that does not have to decide each and every time while entering a Southern California freeway, do I:

1. Shut off the air conditioning so that I don't poison myself accelerating briskly, or
2 Do I, merge slowly in front of a fast moving semi without accelerating, or
3. Do I, open the windows ahead of time to quicken the removal of sulphuric gases from the passenger compartment of my $45,000 vehicle?

I think you misunderstood my post. It has absolutely nothing to do with the smell entering the cabin. It has everything to do with what may be causing the sulphur smell that some people are experiencing. Everything I posted last can definitely cause the smell and it isn't limited to just Explorers. Those listed conditions can cause a 'rotten egg' smell in most vehicles with catalytic converters, and yes, gas high in sulphur content can most definitely be a contributing factor.

Peter

 

[crosswind81]

Tsb 12-8-8

I have the issue with the sulfur smell after harder than normal acceleration primarily with the recirc on...my Ford Tech is ordering me parts under TSB 12-8-8...anyone have any idea if this is a fix or not? (2013 Limited V6)

Thanks!

Rodney

 

[Javelin62]

I just did a google search on TSB 12-8-8 and found a mustang forum with the exact same problem but with the 5.0 engine. Punch the gas and the car fills with fumes!

Sounding like a wide spread problem for Ford!

 

[peterk9]

I have the issue with the sulfur smell after harder than normal acceleration primarily with the recirc on...my Ford Tech is ordering me parts under TSB 12-8-8...anyone have any idea if this is a fix or not? (2013 Limited V6)

Thanks!

Rodney

I'm doubtful it would fix it. Another member had that done and I believe the smell came back a while later. On the other hand, you may luck out. With 12-8-8 they flush the system and replacing the overflow reservoir and radiator and heater hoses. If this does help, then I would think it would only be a matter of time before the odour comes back.
Also what they are saying by doing this TSB is that it isn't exhaust gases you are smelling and that are being pulled into the cabin. Having owned many vehicles, I don't ever recall getting sulphur smells from the cooling/heating system. I may be wrong, but I believe only the catalytic converter can produce those and then that should not be noticeable inside the vehicle.
Good luck and please keep us updated.

Peter

 

[gpzrider]

I have the issue with the sulfur smell after harder than normal acceleration primarily with the recirc on...my Ford Tech is ordering me parts under TSB 12-8-8...anyone have any idea if this is a fix or not? (2013 Limited V6)

Regional service manager suggested that I let my dealer perform that TSB to see if it had any effect on the sulphur smell. Right after they performed it, a Ford Tech just happened by on an unrelated call and told my service tech, "Yeah... that's not going to fix the sulphur smell, we're still working on that one". That was a month ago.

 

[JCat]

I predict this thread will be mysteriously deleted.
(seen it happen on other forums . . . id a problem that cannot be fixed cheaply)