Rough Idle, Engine Misfires, Check Engine Light

[lbm061682]

2013 Ford Explorer V6 Limited, 160k

We purchased the vehicle used and have been having issue since we purchased.

First thing we noticed was an odor in the car. We would notice the smell when coming to a stop or exiting the interstate. It was a fuel or exhaust type smell. Then we also noticed the car would bog down intermittently when the car was in park. We ended up having the catalytic converter changed at the recommendation of a mechanic. Shortly after that the transmission went out and we had that replaced. The smell and rough idle continued, then we added a problem with engine misfires. So, we had spark plugs changed. The smell and rough idle continued then we added stalling. After talked with Ford we proceeded with replacing the fuel injectors. Since then we have continued to smell the odor and have had engine misfires. Today the check engine light came on and came back with EVAP Purge Cannister Valve needs to be replaced. I have the part and plan to change it, but I changed this within the last 2 years.

Any thoughts?? We’ve put so much into this thing I hate to get rid of it, but I’m reaching the end of my patience

 

[syncceduppp]

Can you describe the smell a bit more? Is it kind of like a nasty burnt propane? If your vehicle has 4WD, check the fluid in the PTU and change if bad.

 

[lbm061682]

Can you describe the smell a bit more? Is it kind of like a nasty burnt propane? If your vehicle has 4WD, check the fluid in the PTU and change if bad.

It is not 4WD. I’m not sure how to describe the smell. It can be strong, but it’s fume type odor that we can smell inside the car and outside the car. It isn’t a rotten egg smell.

 

[peterk9]

2013 Ford Explorer V6 Limited, 160k

We purchased the vehicle used and have been having issue since we purchased.

First thing we noticed was an odor in the car. We would notice the smell when coming to a stop or exiting the interstate. It was a fuel or exhaust type smell. Then we also noticed the car would bog down intermittently when the car was in park. We ended up having the catalytic converter changed at the recommendation of a mechanic. Shortly after that the transmission went out and we had that replaced. The smell and rough idle continued, then we added a problem with engine misfires. So, we had spark plugs changed. The smell and rough idle continued then we added stalling. After talked with Ford we proceeded with replacing the fuel injectors. Since then we have continued to smell the odor and have had engine misfires. Today the check engine light came on and came back with EVAP Purge Cannister Valve needs to be replaced. I have the part and plan to change it, but I changed this within the last 2 years.

Any thoughts?? We’ve put so much into this thing I hate to get rid of it, but I’m reaching the end of my patience

Welcome to the Forum.
Some of the early 5th gen models were subject to exhaust smells entering the cabin from rear openings, particularly after hard acceleration.
Ford issued a TSB on that. Since you have other issues, I don't know if that is the issue.

Link to NHTSA complaint form for exhaust fume smell entering the cabin

I was reading about the exhaust fumes investigation on here and all over the internet and decided to see how I could register my complaint. I found the NHTSA website and filled out the form. It is VERY important all Explorer owners that have smelled exhaust fumes in their cabin to register a...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[SClark08]

It is not 4WD. I’m not sure how to describe the smell. It can be strong, but it’s fume type odor that we can smell inside the car and outside the car. It isn’t a rotten egg smell.

Have you taken your 5th Gen in for Technical Service Bulletin 16-0165 (issued Dec 2016), TSB 17-0044 (Mar '17), or TSB 19-2133 (Jul '19)? Between 2011-'19, some Explorers had exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin, primarily through rear body seals and unsealed gaps, especially under hard acceleration with rear climate control on. I picked up a Kidde CO alarm and drove around with that in the back of my 2014 XLT for a while to see if I had the same issue. Sure enough, the little thing would chirp.

- Samuel


EDIT: Another possibility could be your AC condenser drain is plugged and mildew is building up (very common). I crawled under mine a few times to reem it out. You can buy compressed air kits for this purpose as well. A/C Certified Pro Flush System Cleaner Aerosol Spray 17oz

Rough Idle can be a number of things; the areas I would check are: 1. dirty throttle body/MAF sensor, 2. vacuum leaks, 3. You replaced spark plugs already (could be faulty ignition coils), 4. run an injector cleaner (e.g., Berryman's ChemTool or Seafoam), 5. EGR valve stuck open (too much exhaust recirc), 6. bad O2 sensor (bad fuel:air mix), or 7. built up carbon on valves (could try Seafoam, but better results will come from using CRC GDI intake valve cleaner: CRC GDI Intake Valve Cleaner 11oz)