Coolant smell in cabin?

[D5mckelvey]

So here are my issues:

-Weird chemical/coolant smell in cabin on cold start (only sometimes)

-Rough idle at start-up and weird (engine coming apart sounding) sound.

-trans shifts pretty hard into 1st from reverse, and shifts hard randomly sometimes.

-still that humming sound that comes right before and up shift. (its like the engine holds the higher gear for a few seconds and give an almost droning sound until it shifts)


Does this sound like anything specific to anyone? I just ordered the LVM tune from Rick, hoping this may clean-up some of the shifts (obviously I wanted it for the power, but hoping the new shift points may clean up the rough shifts).


Anyone else have any of these issues?

 

[SHOdded]

Sounds like multiple possible issues including possibly leaky heater core, low engine oil level/incorrect oil viscosity, bad cam phaser(s), etc. The shifting could be something the tune could improve, but should be diagnosed by a competent mechanic first.

Can you provide a synopsis of the maintenance history?

 

[D5mckelvey]

I can not. The carfax has almost nothing on it, and I bought it 2 months ago with a CPO warranty, so the oil had been changed and the car had been inspected.

 

[SHOdded]

Video/Audio of the startup sound? Also, are you on the http://www.ecoboostownerforums.com site? I am sure you could get very able assistance there as well.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I would pull the plugs to see if they can tell you anything. A new set never hurts.
If you have a 2010, the plug # may be different than what Ford currently recommends. Use the new #.

You also might put some injector cleaner in your fuel. A sticking injector can make the engine run rough.

Also, don't tune it before you get all this fixed under your CPO warranty.
Have Ford dealer install the latest strategy tune, which should solve the tranny shifting issues, and possibly the others.

Hard shifts from reverse into first usually occur if you haven't stopped going backwards when shifting into D.

 

[SHOrod]

The chemical/coolant smell at start up may not be anything abnormal. I've noticed several newer cars have an almost sweet exhaust smell at cold start. I'm betting it has something to do with the emissions controls/catalytic converter, but I'm not sure what it would be. Maybe just something about the condensation that get stored in the exhaust and something about the reaction it has with the exhaust or it's composition.

-Rod

 

[D5mckelvey]

Thanks Bob. I have a tuner at home right now. But I am waiting to get these issue corrected before tuning.

I took it to the dealer once already, and the tech said that he had no idea, and that it was not harmful to the car. He said if I left it there, that it would take them days and days to trouble shoot the issue.

 

[platoribs]

I took it to the dealer once already, and the tech said that he had no idea, and that it was not harmful to the car. He said if I left it there, that it would take them days and days to trouble shoot the issue.

Sounds like a tech who doesn't want to work on your car, and that sounds like total BS. I'd either find a better Dealer or contact Ford or the owner of the Dealership whose service tech told you that, and see what kind of response you get.

Course I'm not familiar with how dealers act, or what to expect cause I have never used one!:angelnot:
But a SERVICE TECH who's trying to get out of servicing your car is doing you a big favor. Just saying...

 

[D5mckelvey]

So I had my oil changed today (first time since I bought it 3k ago from the dealer) and the oil was pretty black, more than I thought it would be for sure. I put Quaker state fully synth in at the oil change place. I have not smelled the strange smell anymore (but too early to know as it was rare) and the humming sound from my engine is gone now.

I think the dealer may have put regular oil in, and not even a blend. But my car seems to be running much much better now with the oil change.

 

[SHOdded]

Fingers crossed, that was IT!

 

[Drewstang]

Video/Audio of the startup sound? Also, are you on the http://www.ecoboostownerforums.com site? I am sure you could get very able assistance there as well.

Off topic, but I've tried for 2 days straight to register and I'm getting php error messages and incorrect random word errors. I've tried Firefox and IE with no luck.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Doug, I just changed my oil today. Around 6,500 mi on it since Oct. Anyway it too was black as coal. This is typical of turbo cars. I run Mobil 1 5-20. Wouldn't worry about wrong oil. Reason I change my own oil is so I can see what it looks like and notice any funny smells etc. Also CHEAPER!!!!

 

[SHOdded]

Off topic, but I've tried for 2 days straight to register and I'm getting php error messages and incorrect random word errors. I've tried Firefox and IE with no luck.

They've been having issues with hackers/spammers, so security has been really tightened up. I have PM'd bpd1151 for assistance in getting you on. He is on this forum too if you are able to PM directly.

 

[D5mckelvey]

Okay, thanks for the info Bob. After the oil change everything seemed okay, and with the tune on now, everything seems to be working perfect. Thanks again for that intake!

 

[D5mckelvey]

Problem came back soon after oil change. I just wanted to let it be known that my oil cap had broken, and was leaking oil, also, they did the bajo bolt fix as well as a new BOV/BPV, or whatever the thing right before the intake manifold is, the dealer said it was just a noise maker that served no purpose.