Propane/gasoline smell in cabin

[marius883]

Went out to the movies with the mrs this past weekend. After about 30 mins or so of driving, when I came to a stop at the red light, we smelled a strong scent of what I would describe as like a propane/gasoline smell. Today on my way home from work, I smelled it again.

From what I’ve read on here, this sounds like it’s PTU related. Is there any kind of recall or anything in regards to the PTU? could a simple fluid change fix it?

I’m at 93k miles and have 0 warranty, I’m sure to replace the PTU would be crazy expensive!

Any suggestions?

 

[SHOdded]

no recall, does sound like the ptu is the culprit. You can try replacing the fluid, if the problem is not advanced, it can help prolong the life of the part. Regular fluid changes will be needed from here on, not to exceed 1 year/12,000 miles i would say.

 

[marius883]

I guess I’ll have to take it in to the stealership and have them replace the fluid

Edit: called 4 different ford dealers, all said I would have to replace the PTU because it’s a sealed unit. Quoted me 2200$ lol!
I then called an indipendent shop that has 2 ford master certified technicians. The guy goes “oh yeah I can do the PTU fluid no problem, would be about 80-100$.

Guess I will try that first, then see if that solves the smelly problem.

 

[Lostneye]

I guess I’ll have to take it in to the stealership and have them replace the fluid

Edit: called 4 different ford dealers, all said I would have to replace the PTU because it’s a sealed unit. Quoted me 2200$ lol!
I then called an indipendent shop that has 2 ford master certified technicians. The guy goes “oh yeah I can do the PTU fluid no problem, would be about 80-100$.

Guess I will try that first, then see if that solves the smelly problem.

Some dealers and independent shops don't want to touch it for some reason and I have a PP with the drain plug. I have a bad ABS sensor and the local dealer will be doing a PTU flush when I bring it back in(they had to order the sensor), they didn't push back at all.

 

[marius883]

It’s disappointing that I had to explain to all but one ford dealer what a “PTU” is. I hope the smell can be solved with a flush, I’ve been looking at my history and scarily enough I’m now pretty sure it has never been flushed
Really hope I don’t have to spend 1800$++ to replace it.

 

[SHOdded]

Have the independent verify the vent cap/hose extension, whatever setup you have. If you just have a cap, highly recommend updating to extension, if all else looks good.

 

[SilverSH0]

Have the independent verify the vent cap/hose extension, whatever setup you have. If you just have a cap, highly recommend updating to extension, if all else looks good.

+1 to this. Since you have a 2010 it will likely be a cap unless someone has had the TSB performed. There's a TSB for this issue but I don't remember the number

 

[marius883]

I’m not 100% sure what you mean, but I’ll look into it. If there’s a tsb maybe I can show them that and have them perform it. Thanks!

 

[Johnbigdog]

Not a tsb, but a Special Service Message. 45053.

If there is no leaks it says to replace the unit and vent hose. (It it has a vent hose)

 

[SHOdded]

Isn't Ford nowadays looking to put PTUs back in service instead of replacing them? For example, if the gears and bearings look good, just clean up the vent, put in new fluid, and send the customer on their way?

 

[marius883]

Just got home from work, drove the car “normally” today and haven’t smelled anything so far. Even let it idle for a while after driving 45 mins or so. Still going to to the flush of course, but strange...

 

[SHOdded]

Won't happen all the time. If you continue to "ignore" it, the situation will deteriorate appreciably the next time, then the death whine and growl will begin. All fun to experience.

 

[marius883]

Is it the fact that the oil/sludge becomes overheated that leads to the smell? I will definelty be driving carefully until my appointment on Friday

 

[SHOdded]

The smell is usually some ptu fluid coming out the vent in vapor or liquid/sludgy form.

 

[OgreSmash]

I asked my local ford dealer about changing my ptu fluid on my 2010 and I was told 150 bucks

 

[marius883]

So I got some bad news yesterday. Shop said the PTU is failing, and the fluid was so thick, their pump couldn’t even suck it out. He said the only thing to do is replace it at a cost of 2000$.
It is leaking from the vent cap, I did find the tsb mentioned above which replaces the cap with a tube. I’m gonna call some ford dealers and see if they can perform this tsb as a temporary fix, to at least get some fresh fluid in there. I do not have 2k to get this fixed at the moment

 

[marius883]

This is the TSB in question: http://www.revbase.com/BBBMOTOR/TSb/DownloadPdf?id=171259

Edit: I don’t see anywhere in this tsb where it mentions draining the old fluid before refilling it?

 

[SHOdded]

Probably because they do not officially support draining/filling fluids on PTUs without factory drain plugs. You have to remember these bulletins are "dated" also. Recommendations keep changing all the time, only an online subscription to alldata or similar service will keep you uptodate. Ford is moving towards PTU inspection & verification rather than straight replacement. May be limited to certain revisions of the PTU, may not, IDK.

Get the fluid exchanged out. Seeing how thick it is, might take a few rounds in short succession.

 

[Lostneye]

I've given up on changing fluid, independent mechanics don't want to touch it. One dealer didn't either, next dealer that has the car anyway because an ABS sensor went bad quoted me $180 on the phone is now telling me they have to drop the DP to get at it and it would be $400 and they don't recommend changing at my mileage anyway. I'll keep driving it and Ford ESP can pay to fix it if it blows up.

This is a PP with a drain plug.

 

[marius883]

I've given up on changing fluid, independent mechanics don't want to touch it. One dealer didn't either, next dealer that has the car anyway because an ABS sensor went bad quoted me $180 on the phone is now telling me they have to drop the DP to get at it and it would be $400 and they don't recommend changing at my mileage anyway. I'll keep driving it and Ford ESP can pay to fix it if it blows up.

This is a PP with a drain plug.

It is extremely frustrating! I’ve now called 4 dealers to get a quote on replacing the PTU, all of them said they have to look at it first. All of them want to charge a diagnostic fee of at least 129$