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Old 10-02-2018, 07:50 PM   #1
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Question F150 EcoBoost Engine Smells Like Propane??

We returned from a camping trip this weekend in the mountains. I noticed a propane like smell as we slowed down for stoplights in Woodland Park before starting the decent into Colorado Springs. I stopped and checked out the trailer and found nothing. It persisted at stoplights and I stopped again and shut off the valves for the propane tanks.

Today, I drove the truck into town and back. When I pulled into the garage, I noticed the smell again. It seems to be coming from the engine compartment. The smell is not exactly like propane, but very close. I looked carefully in and under the engine compartment. I could not see any leaking fluids or anything suspicious. It is not coming from the exhaust. The gauges were all reading normal for engine temp and transmission temp.

Has anyone run into this issue with the EcoBoost engine??
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Old 10-02-2018, 08:03 PM   #2
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How old is the truck? Has the battery ever been replaced?
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Old 10-02-2018, 08:19 PM   #3
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Check battery. That sulfur/rotten egg smell could be boiled battery.
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Old 10-03-2018, 04:35 AM   #4
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DaveP-

You're not running propane injection into your turbos like those diesel guys getting 1200 hp out of a duramax are you? Couldn't resist............

I agree with the battery thing. Our '15 Egoboost has never produced a smell like that, and I tow with it a lot.
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Old 10-03-2018, 08:13 AM   #5
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Okay. Good input guys. Thanks. Didn't think of that. I'll check-out the battery (which is original from 2014).

If it is not the battery, I'll disconnect the propane injection...
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Old 10-03-2018, 09:44 AM   #6
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We had the same thing.. Check your Air Filter.. That cured our "propane" smell.. Thing is we let a different dealer do our last oil change and they said we didn't need a new air filter, we did. But, I didn't check their work, lesson learned.
Think their the "mechanic's" problem was, on our Ecoboost Expedition you have to remove a large black air line from the filter box to the engine to get to the air filter.
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Old 10-03-2018, 10:49 AM   #7
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Just an FYI...we have 2017 Ford Explorer and had noticed that smell occasionally as well. We had mentioned it to the dealer who had no explanation. Well, last time we took it in for service, the service report stated that there was a recall for this problem and it was fixed on our Ford. I am not sure what years and models the recall covers, but you might check that as well.
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Old 10-03-2018, 12:15 PM   #8
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I would be looking to the catalytic converter more than the battery. The rotten egg smell (sulphur dioxide) is caused there by overfueling, which can result from fuel pressure regulator issues, intake air obstruction (eg a dirty air filter as mentioned above) or a heavy throttle application, usually associated with a long hill.
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Old 10-03-2018, 12:48 PM   #9
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Better hope it’s hydrogen dioxide not sulphur dioxide.

My bet is it’s a catalytic converter related issue. A rich mixture, fuel delivery or pollution equipment problem could cause this.
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Old 10-03-2018, 12:59 PM   #10
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So, here is my results so far.

The battery had no signs of boiling over and did not smell. It load tested with good results. It was a little low on water, so I topped it off.

I checked the air filter. It was clean and was change about 5000 miles ago.

I took the truck on another test drive. The smell was still there when I returned to my garage. The smell was definitely coming up from the driver's side of the engine compartment and no where else in the engine compartment (and not out of the exhaust pipe which is weird).

This problem came on suddenly on Sunday. The truck has never done this before. I am thinking it is from the catalytic converter as jcl mentioned. Reason unknown at this point, but over-rich fuel mix is the likely issue.

I checked for recall notices, but I could not find any for the rotten eggs smell for my truck. Vickig46, do you know the recall number they used for your Explorer (assuming it was an EcoBoost)?
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Old 10-03-2018, 01:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfwhistle View Post
Better hope it’s hydrogen dioxide not sulphur dioxide.

My bet is it’s a catalytic converter related issue. A rich mixture, fuel delivery or pollution equipment problem could cause this.
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Actually, I should have typed hydrogen sulphide. Sulphur dioxide is the expected product, but it is odorless.
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Old 10-03-2018, 02:25 PM   #12
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Well, I am going to let Ford resolve the issue. The truck is still under warranty (just barely). I also found a torn CV joint boot (and damaged CV?) when I was looking around under the truck. They will fix it all. It goes in on Friday.

Thanks for everyone's help. I'll let you know what they find.
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Old 10-03-2018, 03:28 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcl View Post
Actually, I should have typed hydrogen sulphide. Sulphur dioxide is the expected product, but it is odorless.


Fat finger guy here too!
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Old 10-11-2018, 07:57 AM   #14
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Thumbs up And the Answer is...

I got my truck back from Ford today. The problem was the CV joint lubricant on the side of the engine and exhaust pipe. As it burned, it emitted the rotten egg smell. They replaced the drive shaft and boot under warranty, so there was no out-of-pocket. They also checked out the control circuitry for the fuel system and found no problems.

First time I have ever walked out of a Ford dealer without writing them a check first...
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Old 10-11-2018, 08:55 AM   #15
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Good result.
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Old 01-22-2019, 10:43 AM   #16
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Follow Up to Original Posts on F150

So, the CV joint on the drive shaft from the transmission to the front wheels was the original culprit for the rotten egg smell (burning CV grease on the exhaust system), but not the end of the story.

Dealer Visit #2. When I got the truck back, the 4 wheel drive would pop in and out with a loud clunking noise, so I had to take it back in (still under warranty). They concluded that the front locking hubs were not holding a vacuum (and lock), so they replaced the hubs and a vacuum switch. The clunking noise went away, but was replaced by a loud gear noise.

Dealer Visit #3. On visit 3, I took the repair department foreman for a test drive (as he is the only real mechanic in the whole shop). He heard the noise and agreed with me that the hubs were not releasing after disengaging the 4 wheel drive switch. They found that the new vacuum switch they installed was faulty and replaced it. The system is finally working properly. All covered under warranty.

I cannot complain about the service at Ford in Colorado Springs. They persisted until all the issues were fixed, but I lament the days when mechanics worked on our vehicles, not a technician, and they understood how to diagnose issues, fix them and then test drive them before returning the vehicle. It took three and one half months to go through this process.
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Old 01-23-2019, 07:35 PM   #17
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Glad the problem was resolved.

DaveP, kudos to you for being patient and allowing them to work through the issues until it was finally resolved. Sounds like a trustworthy shop! A dealership shop’s reputation is dependent on how they treat customers and they earned your business. That’s a story with a happy ending - thanks for sharing it!
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