Help... weird foul odor!

[Tailwagger]

I was on an extended trip yesterday, about 70 miles of highway followed by 35 miles on rural roads. About 10 miles after leaving the highway, I came to an intersection and had to stop. I noticed a rather acrid smell, something between creosote and burning rubber. The truck was behaving normally, all the gauges were reading nominal, so at first I figured whatever was 'burning', it wasn't my RR. About another 20 miles later, same thing. I arrived at my destination, gave the truck the once over. I didnt have time, nor was I dressed to dig around under the hood, but I couldn't smell anything. I just been in for surgery on my deviated septum on Monday and thought perhaps that I was imagining things.

Went to my event and largely forgot about until the ride home when, of course, same deal. By the time I arrived home, it was too late to investigate any further. I did try an experiment or two along the way. If I rolled down the window at a stop, I dint smell anything coming form the outside. So the next time I reached a stop, I turned off the HVAC fan, and it seemed as though the smell became fainter. Something related to cabin ari intake perhaps? Dunno...

Anyhoo, I figured before I went out this morning to sniff (pun intended) around, I'd ask if anyone else had experienced anything like this or had some ideas around what to check.

Sponsored

 

[Don Vandyke]

The factory cabin filters are terrible. Try upgrading to see if that helps. I have a bionic beak , the diesel fumes really bother me. My last couple of Fords I changed filters right away.

 

[NASSTY]

The factory cabin filters are terrible. Try upgrading to see if that helps. I have a bionic beak , the diesel fumes really bother me. My last couple of Fords I changed filters right away.

What brand do you use? Mine is almost due to be changed again.

 

[Dino Jockey]

Maybe u hit the skinny pedal too hard and had an accident….

 

[mahtomedichris]

That smell is coming from the window washer reservoir vent. The only thing you can do is turn the HVAC on recirculate.

 

[Tailwagger]

Hmm... finally just went out this morning to take a look. At first I though everything was clean under the hood, but then I noticed a ton of droplets on the firewall. Guess I got lucky and didn't burn the truck down, but clearly there's an higher pressure oil leak from somewhere. Not quite sure where its coming from; a little odd as I'm not seeing much if any oil on any of the engine components; 95% is droplets on the driver's side firewall and hood.

 

[Dino Jockey]

Hmm... finally just went out this morning to take a look. At first I though everything was clean under the hood, but then I noticed a ton of droplets on the firewall. Guess I got lucky and didn't burn the truck down, but clearly there's an higher pressure oil leak from somewhere. Not quite sure where its coming from; a little odd as I'm not seeing much if any oil on any of the engine components; 95% is droplets on the driver's side firewall and hood.

Good find….. probably a good thing u didn’t disregard as an imaginary smell.

 

[Don Vandyke]

Hmm... finally just went out this morning to take a look. At first I though everything was clean under the hood, but then I noticed a ton of droplets on the firewall. Guess I got lucky and didn't burn the truck down, but clearly there's an higher pressure oil leak from somewhere. Not quite sure where its coming from; a little odd as I'm not seeing much if any oil on any of the engine components; 95% is droplets on the driver's side firewall and hood.

Wow that really sucks. Glad you found the issue. Good luck

 

[Don Vandyke]

What brand do you use? Mine is almost due to be changed again.

I know it's a Hepa filter, Microguard?

 

[NASSTY]

If it's not coming from the engine it must be coming from the d/s turbo. Maybe a loose oil feed line or something?

 

[Tailwagger]

If it's not coming from the engine it must be coming from the d/s turbo. Maybe a loose oil feed line or something?

That be my guess, but Im not gonna mess with it. This is what warranties (and steam cleaners) are for. Going to the dealer on Tuesday.

 

[sign1941]

That be my guess, but Im not gonna mess with it. This is what warranties (and steam cleaners) are for. Going to the dealer on Tuesday.

Keep us posted. Good Luck!

 

[Tailwagger]

Keep us posted. Good Luck!

Thx and will do. Flat bedded to the dealer this morning. Hoping to have some info tomorrow afternoon.

 

[snowman3]

If it's not coming from the engine it must be coming from the d/s turbo. Maybe a loose oil feed line or something?

How does the turbo get oil? Is there a dedicated oil line from oil pump to turbo? Or does it pass through an opening on the engine where the turbo bolts to the engine? By the way you said it, there a feed line, correct? thx!

 

[NASSTY]

How does the turbo get oil? Is there a dedicated oil line from oil pump to turbo? Or does it pass through an opening on the engine where the turbo bolts to the engine? By the way you said it, there a feed line, correct? thx!

I haven't looked around much on my 3.0 ecoboost because I don't want to do anything but oil and filter changes in my old age. I owned four 3.5 ecoboost F150's. On the 3.5's the feed lines come from the sides of the engine block just below the exhaust manifolds and go to the turbos.

Sponsored