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Burning smell...

27K views 23 replies 13 participants last post by  stangry101  
#1 ·
The smell is noticeable when I stop, and get out of the car. I don't think its oil burning, it seems "dryer" if that makes sense. The smell gets stronger the harder I push it. The power seems fine. Adam Tune+ didn't give me any might be's and says hes never heard of this.......So I'm asking you guys what you think it might be.
 
#3 ·
This sounds similar to what I smell in both my stang and the wife's Ecoboost Explorer if I drive them hard. for me, it just smells like a hot engine, with these being my first turbos I thought it was normal being that they run hotter. I could be wrong and will my self be checking the belts next time I smell this like Elvis suggests.
 
#7 ·
Take a quick look underneath, and see if you may have run over a random plastic bag (or something similar), which proceeded to melt on the cat converter. Happened to me one time with another car, and the smell was similar. Good luck!

Michael
 
#9 ·
Sounds like PCV fumes escaping into the engine bay after a high boost pull.

The timing solenoids hidden under the engine cover can start to weep oil past their o rings onto the surface of the valve cover and create a bit of a stink as well.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
Been having this burning plastic smell since picking up my CPO back in October. Happens every time I do a hard pull, say 2nd gear (2800-5000rpms). Not high IAT, cyl. head, coolant or trans temps. It clears out after a few seconds, but the consistency has me restraining my right foot and missing out on some good fun. Read most of the posts regarding similar instances. No plastic bags, no fluids, no wires/hoses contacting hot parts. Checked all my PCV connections. All good:confused: Smells slightly electrical, sort of like that whiff of ozone you'd get when turning off one of those old tube TVs, but stronger. Read somewhere in a thread about a bad firewall/passenger cab seal and it seems to be coming from the passenger side. I'll have to do some more checks. Maybe the downpipe turbo seal has a small leak.
 
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#14 ·
I have just had my 2017 for two weeks, It does the same thing, it has a hint of oil smell, i took off the engine cover and searched it over thoroughly and there is no oil leaking anywhere, i also checked the oil level, its full

I did drive a 2018 before i bought my 17, It had a smell after some hard pulls but the smell was different, like a cataleytic converter or electrical burning smell

very weird stuff, perhaps we will find out what the smell is from
 
#15 ·
Suppose it could be due to lack of using the engine & turbo to its potential often enough. Think the term is referred to as an "Italian tune up".
I tend to baby my ride.
 
#16 ·
My 2016 has the same issue recently. Tons of smoke coming from the exhaust, with a strong smell of burning oil. However, I have checked everywhere, & no leaks. I've triple checked connections on my catch can, all clean, all secure. I've had all the mods on it for quite some time, so I don't think that's causing it. Was thinking it may be a bad seal at the downpipe. Might just have to redo it & see.
 
#17 ·
Ngranado, oil to the turbo is pressure fed but only gravity drains it. pressure buildup in the crankcase can keep oil from properly draining from the turbo back to the crankcase. if it doesn't drain quickly enough it gets through seals into the exhaust causing smoke. if your plugs look good, this is most likely your issue. make sure your PCV system is flowing properly. a catch can is already adding a restriction and if it's dirty and/or the hoses are partially clogged or pinched it will cause the symptoms you're experiencing.
 
#18 ·
My '16 hardly fails to emit this smell following the occasional romp. Checked all the OCC hoses & their connections, finding everything to be good. Collected about 1/2 oz. inside the canister after ~1k. I'm pretty sure I've never observed smoke or smelled burning oil coming out of the tailpipes, although I assume some of the soot buildup is to be expected. The car had 17k on it when I made purchase last Oct. & is now sitting at 21.5k. The last 1.5k were with the Radium plate w/PCV valve and OCC. The burning smell persists. You think maybe I've got a shot turbo seal? One concern is Ford giving me the warranty runaround due to the Radium plate. EZ enough to remove the OCC and run one hose from the manifold to the plate I guess, but also swapping the plate just to bring it in for a look-see would suck:(:mad:
 
#20 ·
Interesting:unsure:. I do take it pretty EZ on mine. I'll try giving it some good lashings and maybe burn off whatever gunk I've got built up :LOL:
 
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#21 ·
So if it's too much pressure in the crankcase not letting the turbo oil drain by gravity, this most likely happening when in boost with the dirty side of the PCV system is closed, doesn't the "clean side" portion of the system take over crankcase ventilation duty? It would explain why I get the odor under heavy boost. Perhaps there's an issue with my clean side?