Smelling Fumes from A/C vent when A/C is on

[RKA]

Hi All, Hope every one is doing safe during the pandemic. We have purchased a used 2014 Ford Explorer from a dealer and we love it. We always wanted to experience the drive in a Ford Explorer and we were sort of happy with the purchase. The trouble started when we consistently started smelling the fumes in the car when ever A/C is on or driving on higher speeds. This some times becomes very bad but still did not get a hold on when this would happen.

I took it to Ford Repair center and they diagnosed the issue to be with Catalytic convertor. The Ford Service center guy quoted a 1300$ with labor but the OEM part is not available any where in US is what he said. Have following qns.

a. Is the diagnosis is correct? Does A/C vents smell exhaust when the catalytic convertor is damaged? How often catalytic convertor gets damaged?
b. Are there any After market Catalytic convertors which can help with the issue. How much would they usually cost and are they really effective?

But for this issue, we love this car. Any suggestions are a welcome.

Regards
RKA.

 

[Odrapnew]

The air goes through the same components/ducts regardless if A/C is on or off.
A/C on or off should not impact if you smell fumes (exhaust by the response of replace catalytic converter).

The other question is if recirculation is on/off. That may have a bigger impact.

Reference the 'sticky' about exhaust fumes in this forum.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum RKA.
Are they exhaust fumes or some other kind?

Peter

 

[LM614]

Hi All, Hope every one is doing safe during the pandemic. We have purchased a used 2014 Ford Explorer from a dealer and we love it. We always wanted to experience the drive in a Ford Explorer and we were sort of happy with the purchase. The trouble started when we consistently started smelling the fumes in the car when ever A/C is on or driving on higher speeds. This some times becomes very bad but still did not get a hold on when this would happen.

I took it to Ford Repair center and they diagnosed the issue to be with Catalytic convertor. The Ford Service center guy quoted a 1300$ with labor but the OEM part is not available any where in US is what he said. Have following qns.

a. Is the diagnosis is correct? Does A/C vents smell exhaust when the catalytic convertor is damaged? How often catalytic convertor gets damaged?
b. Are there any After market Catalytic convertors which can help with the issue. How much would they usually cost and are they really effective?

But for this issue, we love this car. Any suggestions are a welcome.

Regards
RKA.

This is a very common problem and has been there since the 2011 model. There smell comes during hard acceleration. I had it with my brand new 2011. A friend had it with their 2013 model. I doubt very much that a new catalytic converter will fix this, it may reduce the smell temporarily.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

This is a very common problem and has been there since the 2011 model. There smell comes during hard acceleration. I had it with my brand new 2011. A friend had it with their 2013 model. I doubt very much that a new catalytic converter will fix this, it may reduce the smell temporarily.

Never have had it on my 2011. It's hit or miss on who has it.

 

[peterk9]

This is a very common problem and has been there since the 2011 model. There smell comes during hard acceleration. I had it with my brand new 2011. A friend had it with their 2013 model. I doubt very much that a new catalytic converter will fix this, it may reduce the smell temporarily.

That smell, addressed by a recall, resulted in fumes coming in through the back of the Explorer, not the front. There is, however, another thread that mentions the smell coming in from the front, possibly due to a crack in the manifold. Confirmed: Some Exhaust in Cabin when Acceleration issue is From the Front

Peter