• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Exhaust smell

C

cdz96

New Member
Law Enforcement
#1
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
#1
Has anyone else experience an exhaust smell coming to the ducks when the car is idling? I took my 2020 st to the dealer to make sure that the catalytic converter isn’t cracked or damaged and the dealership said they were fine.
 

hbalek

hbalek

Active Member
#2
Messages
861
Reactions
475
Points
182
Location
Kensington, MD, USA
#2
cdz96 said:
Has anyone else experience an exhaust smell coming to the ducks when the car is idling? I took my 2020 st to the dealer to make sure that the catalytic converter isn’t cracked or damaged and the dealership said they were fine.
Click to expand...
I get that on cold start especially in cold weather. I have to have the catytic converter checked this month when I go in for maintenance and also to get the driver's seat side panel fixed.
 

DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#3
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#3
Yes, I had an exhaust smell in my 2020 ST for several months. I was very close to getting rid of it and then found out it was most likely the left side catalytic converter. Service writer looked it up and said a recall had just come out (this has been sometime ago) and based on my indicating that there was an exhaust smell in the cabin, then this met the requirements of replacing the catalytic converter. That dealer had to order the converter and eventually my throttle body also went bad, so ST was towed to another dealer and they replaced the catalytic converter. All exhaust smell disappeared upon replacement.
 

mcfarlrm

mcfarlrm

Member
#4
Messages
255
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#4
It's the cat. I had the same issue and had it replaced under the recall, which fixed the issue.
 

C

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
#5
Messages
1,474
Reactions
721
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#5
Also closely check your midpipe flex sections. I didn't smell exhaust but my exhaust was slowly getting louder. Found the passenger side flex section had split. This may not apply to later 2021 when they revised the midpipes...or at least they are not supposed to rattle anymore.
 

OP
C

cdz96

New Member
Law Enforcement
Thread Starter #6
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
Thread Starter #6
Sweet thanks. I went to the dealer last time and they said they didn’t see any cracks or anything wrong with the cats
 

6

66gt350ps

Member
#7
Messages
159
Reactions
71
Points
27
Location
Honolulu, HI, USA
#7
Had mine fixed under factory recall notice about four months ago. They check for headr weld failure and replacement or faulty cat. Went in for inspection, parts ordered, weeks later took in for repair that was done in a day. All good.
 

OP
C

cdz96

New Member
Law Enforcement
Thread Starter #8
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
Thread Starter #8
Do you guys recommend going to a different dealership for the issue? This is the second time saying nothing is wrong
 

mcfarlrm

mcfarlrm

Member
#9
Messages
255
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#9
cdz96 said:
Do you guys recommend going to a different dealership for the issue? This is the second time saying nothing is wrong
Click to expand...
100% go to another dealership and call Ford directly as well to let them know the issue. If another dealership cannot locate the issue, Ford will send out a tech to take a look. Exhaust smell in the cabin is no bueno.
 

OP
C

cdz96

New Member
Law Enforcement
Thread Starter #10
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
Thread Starter #10
I went today to get an oil change and to see if they can smell the fumes. The person who took the car smelled it but the techs were not able to find the issue. I told them about the cats but idk if they listened from there
 

mcfarlrm

mcfarlrm

Member
#11
Messages
255
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#11
So my cat was so bad that it made a slight buzzing/rattling sound coming from the driver side engine bay/firewall from exhaust leak when accelerating. Do you notice that by chance?
 

6

66gt350ps

Member
#12
Messages
159
Reactions
71
Points
27
Location
Honolulu, HI, USA
#12
When the notice first came out over a year ago, all the dealer did was to inspect some of the spot welds to the cats and said all was okay. Fast forward to some months ago and the ST started having the bad smell. The dealer inspected the SUV again and sent away for parts. When the parts came in, the issue was repaired along with the broken front seat, blue screen camera issue and a few other electric faults. No charges for any of the parts or labor. It has been five months since all the repairs and so far so good.
 

DaveG ST

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#13
Messages
326
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#13
Again, it is most likely the catalytic converter. My dealer even showed me a printout from Ford on what to replace when a customer mentions that they have an exhaust smell in their vehicle.
 

OP
C

cdz96

New Member
Law Enforcement
Thread Starter #14
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
Thread Starter #14
Thanks you all! A dealership FINALLY found the problem and ordered the parts.
 

G

GoPackGO

New Member
#15
Messages
3
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Bogart, GA, USA
#15
mcfarlrm said:
It's the cat. I had the same issue and had it replaced under the recall, which fixed the issue.
Click to expand...
Can you send a link or pdf of the exhaust smell recall/tsb?
 

D

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
#17
Messages
1,749
Reactions
1,473
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#17
Just had the left cat replaced today as it was cracked. My dealer ordered the part as soon as I called him. Bad part is I didn't get it back due a different issue.
 

B

bmidd

Member
#18
Messages
89
Reactions
59
Points
17
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#18
Just made an appointment to drop ours off for the cats/smell issue and the ridiculous donkey kick downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear.
 

Cajun Heat

Cajun Heat

1000 Post Club
#19
Messages
1,014
Reactions
506
Points
212
Location
Katy, TX, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#19
Question. Did y'all smell the exhaust all the time and that is what made you suspect broken cats?

Reason why I ask is that I smell exhaust only under hard launch/acceleration. Never under normal conditions.
 

B

bmidd

Member
#20
Messages
89
Reactions
59
Points
17
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#20
Cajun Heat said:
Question. Did y'all smell the exhaust all the time and that is what made you suspect broken cats?

Reason why I ask is that I smell exhaust only under hard launch/acceleration. Never under normal conditions.
Click to expand...
On a cold morning start, it sounds like a car with 14 exhaust leaks, it gets quiet as it warms up. You can look under the car and see the white condensation/exhaust coming from the center of the car. When you do a hard pull, we have to roll the windows down because the smell is so strong.
Ours started out with just the smell under hard acceleration and got worse.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top