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Exhaust smell inside the cab, 2025 2.3L

superj

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Like with no ac on? Infrequently i have the ac off but i have done it accidentally. Once or twice a week i have a long line at the gate to get on base and i notice for some reason the ac is off
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FoxRidgeOutdoors

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Like with no ac on? Infrequently i have the ac off but i have done it accidentally. Once or twice a week i have a long line at the gate to get on base and i notice for some reason the ac is off
Correct no AC just the vent.
 

superj

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i will test it out again tomorrow to verify
 

buzzleo

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Has anyone experienced exhaust smell inside the cab when just have the vent fan on (no ac or heat)? Especially when stopped with truck running. It has happened to me once now, but drew some concern.
Prob need to get a CO monitor to see if carbon monoxide is building up inside!
 

lordtygr

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I thought it was just me. As I’ve searched before but didn’t find anyone else until now saying anything. 24 xlt 2.3. It comes and goes. I run the A/C consistently and on Recirc. I’ve also changed the filter to a NAPA Gold. Didn’t seem to help at all
 

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kolev

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After purchasing a new Ford Ranger PHEV 2.3L (petrol), In addition to the smell of a new engine, a rather pungent, chemical smell was noticeable in the cabin from time to time. At first, I thought it was exhaust fumes, as it was especially noticeable during traffic jams. After a while, I realized it was the evaporative windshield washer fluid. When braking and driving slowly, the liquid inside the reservoir splashes around and there is not enough air flow to blow it out of the hood, then the fan sucks it all in the cabin. Also, on the right side, where the washer fluid reservoir is located, there is a lot of heat from the engine, which further accelerates the evaporation process. Experimentally, I pumped out all the fluid, and the smell disappeared. Then I filled it with good quality washer fluid, and the smell became less noticeable, but I can still smell the chemicals in the cabin from time to time. Today, I tried to find where the evaporation might be escaping from the reservoir. I started blowing air through the filler neck and found the hole where the evaporation is coming from. It seems this hole was made specifically to prevent negative pressure from building up in the reservoir when the pump is running. But I think there should be a valve there that allows suction but prevents vapors from escaping. If not, probably I should make one myself.

Ford Ranger Exhaust smell inside the cab, 2025  2.3L 1


Ford Ranger Exhaust smell inside the cab, 2025  2.3L 2
 
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superj

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good job!
 
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FoxRidgeOutdoors

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After purchasing a new Ford Ranger PHEV 2.3L (petrol), In addition to the smell of a new engine, a rather pungent, chemical smell was noticeable in the cabin from time to time. At first, I thought it was exhaust fumes, as it was especially noticeable during traffic jams. After a while, I realized it was the evaporative windshield washer fluid. When braking and driving slowly, the liquid inside the reservoir splashes around and there is not enough air flow to blow it out of the hood, then the fan sucks it all in the cabin. Also, on the right side, where the washer fluid reservoir is located, there is a lot of heat from the engine, which further accelerates the evaporation process. Experimentally, I pumped out all the fluid, and the smell disappeared. Then I filled it with good quality washer fluid, and the smell became less noticeable, but I can still smell the chemicals in the cabin from time to time. Today, I tried to find where the evaporation might be escaping from the reservoir. I started blowing air through the filler neck and found the hole where the evaporation is coming from. It seems this hole was made specifically to prevent negative pressure from building up in the reservoir when the pump is running. But I think there should be a valve there that allows suction but prevents vapors from escaping. If not, probably I should make one myself.

1.webp


2.webp

This is great information!!! Great investigative work. I’m going to give that a try (replacing the windshield washer fluid). Anything is worth a try. Thanks!
 

kolev

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Thanks @FoxRidgeOutdoors, if this helps you solve your odor issue, please let me know.

If many Ford Ranger owners are noticing a washer fluid smell in their vehicle cabin, it may be worth reporting about it to Ford Customer Service.
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