2005 Expedition XLT - Mysterious Smell

[cheapdad00]

Now that autumn is here and I don't need to run MAX AC all the time, whenever the AC is set to one of the fresh air settings and I am stopped with the car running (at a stop sign/light or in traffic) I get a funky smell in the cabin. Not sure if it is exhaust (doubt it) or unburnt fuel (maybe). Smell goes away when I switch to MAX AC or when the vehicle starts moving. Smell is from my own vehicle because I get it whether I am around other running cars or by myself.

Any idea what could be causing the smell?

 

[sgtowing]

check for leaking fluids under the hood. it may be the fluid you are smelling. also check the belt to make sure its tight and not slipping or ridding wrong on the pulley and burrning up. this might sound wierd but look for a dead animal as well.

 

[hlygrail]

this might sound wierd but look for a dead animal as well

Is there a code for that?

 

[cheapdad00]

check for leaking fluids under the hood. it may be the fluid you are smelling. also check the belt to make sure its tight and not slipping or ridding wrong on the pulley and burrning up. this might sound wierd but look for a dead animal as well.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take a look the next time I have time and the sun is out. The fluid levels are all good for coolant/transmission fluid/power steering fluid/brake fluid/oil. Gas mileage has been poor the last few months even after the plug change I did at the end of the summer. I was attributing it to E10 at the pumps, but maybe there is a leak somewhere.

 

[jacks3am]

cabin air filter if your gen has one? thats my guess or maybe some of this--->

 

[tallsville]

the less gas mileage i would think would be attributed to the e10. as far as the smell i would check to see if you have an air filter.

 

[BakerEdition]

have you changed deodorants or aftershave lately?? just kidding...LOL

 

[cheapdad00]

Just replaced my COPs to try to fix a shuddering problem and had 2 loose spark plugs. One I was able to turn just with my fingers (when attached to the spark plug) the other required a wrench. I went and torqued all of them prior to installing the new coils. A few minutes of driving around the neighborhood and no smell when the air is on.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Hi, what did you torque the plugs down to?

I was miffed to learn that these have tapered holes and plugs thus no crush washer, and on a cold day I torqued mine to 25lbs.

Did you add any dialectic grease to the COPs?


.

 

[cheapdad00]

Hi, what did you torque the plugs down to?

I was miffed to learn that these have tapered holes and plugs thus no crush washer, and on a cold day I torqued mine to 25lbs.

Did you add any dialectic grease to the COPs?


.

I torqued to 30lbs - didn't bother to search to see if that was right, but it "felt" acceptable. Yes, I put dielectric on the end of the COP, was not going to take the spark plug out and put it on the end of the plugs. All of the springs on the old COPS looked good - no rust.