Last week, after driving home, I noticed a smoky smell in the garage. I parked the truck outside and confirmed the smell was coming from it. Took it to the dealer, and they said everything was working fine. However, every time I drive it, there’s still a burning smell that seems to come from the engine bay. Nothing noticeable from the vents. The truck has about 76,000 miles, and the oil was changed two months ago.
Any thoughts on what could be causing this?
Could be the valve cover gaskets. Try driving it until it’s hot, then pop the hood and look for any oil or smoke. Even a small oil leak can cause a lot of smoke.
Just a guess, but at 70-100k miles, the serpentine belt, pulleys, or tensioner might be worn. The A/C compressor clutch or bearings could also be starting to go. When they start to seize, the belt can get really hot and cause a strong smell. These parts tend to wear out sooner than expected these days.
Inspect for any leaks around the engine, especially around the valve cover gaskets and the coolant lines on the passenger side.
Could it be the catalytic converter?
Is it an Ecoboost?
Norris said:
Is it an Ecoboost?
Yes, it’s the 3.5L Ecoboost.
Norris said:
Is it an Ecoboost?
Yes, it’s the 3.5L Ecoboost.
In that case, check your turbos. Also, inspect the coolant overflow bottle for any leaks. If it leaks onto the turbo, it can cause issues.