Burning Smell

[cbbco]

I have a 2017, and for the past few weeks there's been a strong burning smell inside the car only when I drive uphill for more than a few miles. The dealer had it today and said they couldn't find anything wrong, and it's probably just the remnants of burning off oil after my last oil change almost a month ago.
Doesn't sound likely to me. Thoughts?

(I have 35,000 miles on it, so it's just a few weeks away short of the warranty expiring)

 

[1955moose]

Burning off of residue oil is gone within 1/2 hour, unless theirs a leak that's dripping onto something hot like exaust.

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[Plati]

Have you stopped when its smelling bad, gotten out and looked for smoke ... opened the hood & nosed around?

Do you know what burning plastic smells like?

 

[bobmbx]

No, its not your last oil change. This is something prevalent on newer Explorers, and Ford will "fix it" for free on those models. It is exhaust getting into the car under certain conditions; said conditions are not defined or static. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don't.

I've heard some Expy owners make the same claim; although not nearly as much as Explorers. Search the forum, I remember reading a thread about this almost a year ago IIRC.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-explorer-carbon-monoxide-free-repairs/

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/carbon-monoxide-exhaust-coming-into-cabin.32886/

 

[cbbco]

It doesn't smell like burning plastic or burning brakes. I pulled over and opened the hood, but I didn't smell it.

 

[1955moose]

The police have reported the exaust smell in their cruisers. Obviously they have explorer's vs Expeditions, but possibly a similar exaust leak situation. Worth checking into, exaust leaks are not something to [emoji205] with. You can pass out while driving.

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[JExpedition07]

The cabin exhaust leaks in the explorers used in police fleets were caused by aftermarket penetrations.....You don’t smell carbon monoxide it’s odorless. Exhaust doesn’t smell like a “burning” smell it smells like a 4 stroke engine.

Explorer and Expedition really aren’t related too much.

 

[powerboatr]

if i press the go pedal pretty aggressive passing someone on a two lane or a speedy acceleration from 2 to around 5500RPM then to 3rd
i get a HOT metal smell, similar to a hot piece of exhaust pipe, not exhaust smell, just the heat.
I think the ac under hard acceleration turns off the compressor and or switches the vent on, vice recirc , after i let up the smell goes away in a few seconds.not sure if it helps or not for your concern

 

[Bort Meat]

if i press the go pedal pretty aggressive passing someone on a two lane or a speedy acceleration from 2 to around 5500RPM then to 3rd
i get a HOT metal smell, similar to a hot piece of exhaust pipe, not exhaust smell, just the heat.
I think the ac under hard acceleration turns off the compressor and or switches the vent on, vice recirc , after i let up the smell goes away in a few seconds.not sure if it helps or not for your concern

I've had a similar problem with my 2017. I notice a smell when I have the AC on and I'm accelerating hard or going uphill. I would say it's more like an exhaust smell, but not exactly. Goes away just after I take my foot off the gas. Haven't noticed this problem when the AC isn't on. Interesting idea about the switching between vent/recirc. Ever had that checked out?

 

[Bort Meat]

I've had a similar problem with my 2017. I notice a smell when I have the AC on and I'm accelerating hard or going uphill. I would say it's more like an exhaust smell, but not exactly. Goes away just after I take my foot off the gas. Haven't noticed this problem when the AC isn't on. Interesting idea about the switching between vent/recirc. Ever had that checked out?

Same problem on my 17. Would love to know what is causing it.


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[Iamsam1117]

Same problem on my 17. Would love to know what is causing it.


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Literally just dropped my truck off today for this... I performed an at home exhaust leak test and found both turbo flanges leaking so having the dealer look at repairing them under warranty

 

[16plati]

No, its not your last oil change. This is something prevalent on newer Explorers, and Ford will "fix it" for free on those models. It is exhaust getting into the car under certain conditions; said conditions are not defined or static. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don't.

I've heard some Expy owners make the same claim; although not nearly as much as Explorers. Search the forum, I remember reading a thread about this almost a year ago IIRC.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-explorer-carbon-monoxide-free-repairs/

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/carbon-monoxide-exhaust-coming-into-cabin.32886/

Thts weird because CO is odorless

 

[Plati]

Thts weird because CO is odorless

So you are saying the ONLY thing emitted from exhaust is CO?

 

[cmiles97]

Literally just dropped my truck off today for this... I performed an at home exhaust leak test and found both turbo flanges leaking so having the dealer look at repairing them under warranty

Let us know the results please. Also how did you do an exhaust leak test?

 

[Iamsam1117]

Well, I got the truck back today.... They said the water pump was bad and causing the driveway leaks and it was replaced with warranty and what was causing the unusual whirring... I guess it's good being at 90k miles now to have it changed out. They also wanted $350 to change out the lower overflow hose it's on order for $75 and will replace myself even though I see nothing wrong with it.

As per the exhaust leak they said they couldn't find anything I explained to them exactly where the leak was they said 1) no carbon tracks, no leaks... 2) it's not a part covered through warranty but for $400 they would change out both flanges if it made me feel better

So I brought it home drove it on the sidewalk halfway and let it cool for 2 hours sprayed it with PB catalyst on both sides and soaked for half an hour... Took a 15mm deep socket on the end of flex tip to the impact gun and loosened 3 of the 4 flange bolts the top of the driver side exhaust turbo was a pain and had to use a wrench.

I wiggled everything and sprayed some rust remover spray onto the connection and theng tightened up all 4 of bolts. Hooked up the positive side of my shop vac and blasted pressure back into these exhaust... Not a single bubble from either.

Pros; turbo whistle much quieter, no more rough idle at 2500 rpm, and gas smell in engine bay gone!

Cons; Ford didn't help at all on this one and it took about 3 beers deep on the very tight spaces to work on without removing anything.

 

[RobK]

Just got my 2017 XLT back from the dealer yesterday. They found 3 oil leaks. Valve cover, vacuum pump, and timing chain cover all had leaking gaskets.
I had smelled oil after driving for about 20 min and when I would stop to go to the store and start back up, the smell would come into the cabin. Luckily, everything was covered under warranty as I only have 52k on it.