Posted 2011-09-10 8:04 AM (#137373) Subject: foul odor when hauling ...
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I have a 2005 6.0 that has been trouble free since the early days when it should have been bought back by Ford.I hauled a load yesterday with my utility trailer. When I got home, I smelled a foul odor. Now, the odor is similar to one that I smelled in my 4Runner when I would put it in 4-wheel drive before that system crashed. I wasn't in 4-wheel drive in my truck. This is the second time I've smelled this smell-both times at the end of a 150 mile trip pulling the 18-foot utility trailer that was loaded only for the first half of the trip. I don't know if it makes a difference but I don't think I've smelled this when I pulled the gooseneck horse trailer. But, I do think the problem is just starting.
Posted 2011-09-10 8:25 AM (#137376 - in reply to #137374) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Originally written by gonzo1066 on 2011-09-10 8:13 AM
You will have to be more specific with the Foul odor. Is it a oily type smell? Hot water or anitfreeze? Maybe a propane odor?
It doesn't smell like antifreeze.It could be oily, but not in the typical oil smell way - maybe a burnt oil smell, possiblyI just don't know how to describe it - it's a pretty unique and distinctive smell. I don't know about a smell associated with burnt water - though it's not an antifreeze smell. I don't think it smells like propane.Thanks for thinking about this.
Posted 2011-09-10 12:25 PM (#137379 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Pull the dip stick for the engine, power steering pump and the transmission. If one of them smells like the odor. Then you know which.
The only other source of oil is the rear axle differential case. But that should be sealed except for the breather tube.
Posted 2011-09-10 12:29 PM (#137380 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
One more fluid source. Brake fluid. It has an acrid smell even new.
And while we're on acrid... wipe your hand on the various belts of the engine. (WHile it is OFF!) If one of the belts is slipping or rubbing it would cause an acrid odor too.
Posted 2011-09-10 6:16 PM (#137386 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I had a F-250 once that would eat rear hub seals. Rear hub seal may be seeping some grease onto a brake rotor.... Long trip heats it up enough to make the grease smell.... That gear lube does have a foul odor.
Posted 2011-09-10 10:37 PM (#137396 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Phoresic on 2011-09-10 8:04 AM
I have a 2005 6.0 that has been trouble free since the early days when it should have been bought back by Ford.I hauled a load yesterday with my utility trailer. When I got home, I smelled a foul odor. Now, the odor is similar to one that I smelled in my 4Runner when I would put it in 4-wheel drive before that system crashed. I wasn't in 4-wheel drive in my truck. This is the second time I've smelled this smell-both times at the end of a 150 mile trip pulling the 18-foot utility trailer that was loaded only for the first half of the trip. I don't know if it makes a difference but I don't think I've smelled this when I pulled the gooseneck horse trailer. But, I do think the problem is just starting.
Is the odor at the truck or the trailer?Maybe your utility trailer has something dragging when it is loaded...
Posted 2011-09-10 11:51 PM (#137398 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Thanks to all of you. Paul, it's the truck, not the trailer, but has only happened with the utility trailer. I think that's because I use it so and for a longer distance than I've pulled the horse trailer recently.Hosspuller and Retento, I'll definitely follow up on what you both said. I think I'll be able to identify the problem following your suggestions.Thanks all!
Posted 2011-09-11 4:15 AM (#137399 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
As mentioned before check fluid levels of engine,power steering, coolant etc. You or someone that is familiar with trucks should check the exhaust system. Sometimes a fluid leak onto the hot exhaust system can cause a burnt odor. I would take the truck to my local Ford dealer for a check, the consequences of letting this go could be dire..
Posted 2011-09-11 8:37 AM (#137401 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 33 Location: Bloomington, IL.
Does your utility trailer have brakes and if so are they working properly? Truck brakes may be getting warmer than normal. Hot brakes and slipped clutches have a deffinate odor.
Posted 2011-09-11 9:35 AM (#137403 - in reply to #137401) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Gonzo1066, thanks for the ideas. I won't let it go, but I've been to enough Ford dealerships in my area to know that I cannot go without knowing what's going on. The one I go to now is the best in my area, but I still have to figure it out before I take it in.
Posted 2011-09-11 9:47 AM (#137404 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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DLM-10, The trailer has brakes, but I didn't have it connected because there is a wiring short with the running lights. I can connect it and all is well unless I turn on the running lights, then it blows a fuse. Easy thing to fix, or have fixed, but just haven't. We move pet food for a shelter every couple of weeks, and it's a 150 mile trip of mostly highway. The loaded mileage is about 60 miles and this was a smaller load of about maybe 3000 pounds - maybe a little less. We unloaded (took a couple of hours), and there was no smell. We came home empty - about 50 miles - there was some light stop and go traffic the last 15 miles or so (it's country, but my county loves red lights and I never met a red light that didn't stop me:( ).It's an 18' trailer that pulls well. When I got out at home, I smelled it.
Posted 2011-09-11 6:03 PM (#137414 - in reply to #137405) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Phoresic on 2011-09-11 9:52 AM
It's an automatic, so would a slipped clutch be a possibility? Would there be other symptoms? Is it a matter of an adjustment or a repair?Thanks.
A slipped clutch is usually thought of as a manual transmission problem. Auto transmissions have clutches, but they're internal to the unit. They're also wet clutches bathed in trans fluid. So if they're slipping the fluid is burnt smelling.
Posted 2011-09-11 6:09 PM (#137415 - in reply to #137404) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Phoresic on 2011-09-11 6:47 AM
DLM-10, The trailer has brakes, but I didn't have it connected because there is a wiring short with the running lights. I can connect it and all is well unless I turn on the running lights, then it blows a fuse. Easy thing to fix, or have fixed, but just haven't. We move pet food for a shelter every couple of weeks, and it's a 150 mile trip of mostly highway. The loaded mileage is about 60 miles and this was a smaller load of about maybe 3000 pounds - maybe a little less. We unloaded (took a couple of hours), and there was no smell. We came home empty - about 50 miles - there was some light stop and go traffic the last 15 miles or so (it's country, but my county loves red lights and I never met a red light that didn't stop me:( ).It's an 18' trailer that pulls well. When I got out at home, I smelled it.
This makes me suspect a brake origin to the odor. You were driving with multiple stops without trailer brakes. The truck brakes did ALL the work. They might over heat in this situation. Next time you smell the odor, feel the front & rear wheels for unusual heat.
Posted 2011-09-11 7:15 PM (#137417 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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I will do that. It didn't smell like brakes to me, and I really drove with an awareness of the trailer not having the brakes connected. The smell didn't come up when the trailer was loaded, but that was all highway, sooooo maybe I got careless as I got close to home.I won't drive it without connecting it again - better to blow a fuse, or better yet to fix the short!Thanks a LOT, I will follow up on all of this and find out exactly what is going on.
Posted 2011-09-11 7:43 PM (#137418 - in reply to #137417) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Phoresic on 2011-09-11 4:15 PM
I will do that. It didn't smell like brakes to me, and I really drove with an awareness of the trailer not having the brakes connected. The smell didn't come up when the trailer was loaded, but that was all highway, sooooo maybe I got careless as I got close to home.I won't drive it without connecting it again - better to blow a fuse, or better yet to fix the short!Thanks a LOT, I will follow up on all of this and find out exactly what is going on.
The odor may not have been from the brakes. But, heat from the brakes affects several parts attached to the brake disk/drum. There are the axle bearings, brake fluid in the caliper, paint on wheels and caliper...and in an extreme case ... tire rubber.
I had a brake caliper seize on my van. I drove it home but immediately doused the wheel with water because I feared a sudden tire fire from the heat build up.
Posted 2011-09-11 8:47 PM (#137425 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
If you don't have the smell with the trailer unloaded but have the smell after driving with the load, it would lead me to believe it is transmission related. Original Ford auto transmissions aren't known for their long life...have you change the tranny fluid...do you have a transmission temp gauge? Does the truck have a tranny cooler? You'd be shocked to see the temps on a transmission in hot weather with a heavy load....the heat is typically what shortens their life.
Posted 2011-09-11 9:41 PM (#137427 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
Have you looked at the pinion seal on the rear differential. When they start leaking they'll sling oil up onto the exhaust system and that makes for a rather odd odor. I've had it happen on 2 of my 90's fords. Fairly simple fix, just get the old seal out before you go to the parts store, there's about 3 different choices for the seal.
Posted 2011-09-11 10:37 PM (#137429 - in reply to #137425) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Originally written by rattler on 2011-09-11 8:47 PM
If you don't have the smell with the trailer unloaded but have the smell after driving with the load, it would lead me to believe it is transmission related. Original Ford auto transmissions aren't known for their long life...have you change the tranny fluid...do you have a transmission temp gauge? Does the truck have a tranny cooler? You'd be shocked to see the temps on a transmission in hot weather with a heavy load....the heat is typically what shortens their life.
It's the opposite. I have not smelled it when the trailer was loaded. I drive 50 miles, pick up the load drive 30 miles, unload the load, drive back the 80 miles (150-160 miles, but the loaded miles is 30 all highway). I do not smell it until I get back - only twice, once very faintly, but there.Transmission fluid has been changed. I don't know if it has a transmission cooler - I'd think a 2005 F-350 would, wouldn't it? I do not have a transmission temp gauge.
Posted 2011-09-11 10:41 PM (#137430 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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You know hosspuller, I drove it into the mountains not long ago without pulling a trailer. The brakes did get hot. That was before this started happening.
Posted 2011-09-11 10:43 PM (#137431 - in reply to #137427) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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Originally written by 301duster on 2011-09-11 9:41 PM
Have you looked at the pinion seal on the rear differential. When they start leaking they'll sling oil up onto the exhaust system and that makes for a rather odd odor. I've had it happen on 2 of my 90's fords. Fairly simple fix, just get the old seal out before you go to the parts store, there's about 3 different choices for the seal.
We'll go under the truck and look around tomorrow. I haven't yet, but will tomorrow. Thanks.
Posted 2011-09-12 12:31 AM (#137436 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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It really is hard to cope up with foul smell and sure enough when it sticks in the trailer. I do not know of how effective it would be for foul smell but charcoal should be good to eliminate bad odor. I have tried that for the refrigerator at home but for a trailer of horse, I think it would need a lot more help than that. But it would not hurt to give it a try. Or I reckon that a big container of charcoal would do it for the smell.
Posted 2011-09-12 10:11 AM (#137454 - in reply to #137373) Subject: RE: foul odor when hauling ...
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The smell doesn't stay long, I'm happy to say. That would be awful.I appreciate all of the help and will follow up this week. I really appreciate the great information.
foul odor when hauling ...
