TSB 17-0035: EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN AUTO OR RECIRCULATION MODE

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

NHTSA ID Number: 10099088

Manufacturer Communication Number: TSB 17-0035

Summary

SOME 2015-2017 EDGE AND 2016-2017 MKX VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN AUTO OR RECIRCULATION MODE. CUSTOMERS MAY INDICATE THE ODOR SMELLS LIKE SULFUR, THE EXHAUST ODORS ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS CONCERN MAY BE MORE PRONOUNCED AFTER HARD ACCELERATION, DRIVING IN HILLY CONDITIONS AND/OR TOWING A TRAILER. WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT ANY OCCUPANT OF THESE VEHICLES EXPERIENCES THE EXHAUST ODOR WILL BE AFFECTED BY DRIVING HABITS, WEATHER, AND INDIVIDUAL SENSITIVITIES. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.

Vehicles MAKE MODEL YEAR FORD EDGE 2015-2017 LINCOLN MKX 2016-2017

 

No details on this TSB available "freely", hope someone with access can post the additional text, if any.

 

EDIT: Per the link provided by gg (see pdf for full pictorial/text)

 

Exhaust Odor in the Vehicle – 2015-2017 Ford Edge & 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX
TSB 17-0035 EXHAUST ODOR IN VEHICLE
Publication Date: March 30, 2017


FORD: 2015-2017 Edge
LINCOLN: 2016-2017 MKX
ISSUE:

Some 2015-2017 Edge and 2016-2017 MKX vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle while the climate control system is in auto or recirculation mode. Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur, or the exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. This concern may be more pronounced after hard acceleration, driving in hilly conditions and/or towing a trailer. Whether and to what extent any occupant of these vehicles experiences the exhaust odor will be affected by driving habits, weather, and individual sensitivities


ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE

Does the customer report an exhaust odor inside the vehicle under hard acceleration, towing a trailer, driving in hilly conditions or with the climate control system in auto or recirculate?
Yes – proceed to Step 2.
No – this article does not apply.

Check the rear doors are shut tightly and the edges are correctly aligned with the rear quarter panel. Adjust the door striker as needed. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-03.

Visually inspect the rear liftgate weatherstrip seal for proper seating to the body of the vehicle.

Check the weatherstrip contact mark around the entire liftgate to make sure the liftgate is correctly aligned. Reposition the liftgate as required to obtain a proper seal. Refer to WSM, Section 501-03.

Make sure the liftgate drain plugs are installed correctly on the liftgate. Reposition as required.
MKX (Figure 1)
liftgate drain plugs
Figure 1 – 17-0035
Edge (Figure 2)
liftgate drain plugs
Figure 2 – 17-0035

Remove the left and right rear lamp assemblies. Refer to WSM Section 417-01.

Inspect the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the rear tail lamp assembly mounting area for holes or gaps in the body sealer. If any holes or gaps are found, seal with Motorcraft® Seam Sealer or equivalent.

Verify all rear tail lamp assembly body plugs, plastic anchor nuts and wiring grommets are fully seated against the body. (Figures 3 – 4)

tail lamp assembly body plugs
Figure 3 – 17-0035


tail lamp assembly body plugs
Figure 4 – 17-0035

On the MKX, remove the right and left rear quarter panel moulding. Refer to WSM, Section 501-08.

Remove the rear bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.

Remove the right and left rear quarter panel inner wheel liner. (Figure 5)

inner wheel liner
Figure 5 – 17-0035

Inspect the entire length of the joined inner fender panels for large, obvious panel gaps or body sealer gaps. Closely inspect for gaps in the following areas. If any gaps are found, seal with Motorcraft® Seam Sealer or equivalent.
Lower arch edge.
Upper edge of the wheel arch. (Figure 6)
joined inner fender panels
Figure 6 – 17-0035
Upper wheel arch area, from the back, where the outer and inner body panels meet. (Figure 7)
outer and inner body panels meet
Figure 7 – 17-0035

Check that all rear body plugs and plastic anchor nuts located beneath the bumper cover are fully seated against the body. (Figure 8)
rear body plugs
Figure 8 – 17-0035

Make sure the two plastic pushpins used to attach the sound insulation piece to the lower edge of the body are fully seated. (Figure 9)
two plastic pushpins
Figure 9 – 17-0035

Inspect the rear liftgate and verify that all four plastic license plate anchor nuts have been installed correctly. (Figure 10)
plastic license plate anchor nuts
Figure 10 – 17-0035

Raise the vehicle on the hoist and verify that all underbody plugs and grommets are fully seated. (Figure 11 – 12)
underbody plugs and grommets
Figure 11 – 17-0035

underbody plugs and grommets
Figure 12 – 17-0035

Prepare the vehicle for a cabin pressurization test.
Use masking tape to cover all air extractors and any open bolt holes located behind the rear bumper cover. (Figure 9)
Cover the license plate anchor nuts by installing the license plate screws or tape over them.

After waiting 1 hour since the last seam sealer application to allow for dry time, start the vehicle, set the climate control to fresh air mode and set blower speed to maximum.

Close all doors and windows.

Using soapy water in a spray bottle, spray soapy water at suspected leak points on the vehicle. Note all leak areas identified by the presence of air bubbles.
Inspect the tail lamp openings and check for leaks at the seams, in the body sealer, and around plastic grommets and mounting nuts. (Figure 13)
tail lamp openings
Figure 13 – 17-0035
Inspect the area of the liftgate that meets the tail lamps for air leaks along the panel seams. (Figure 14)
area of the liftgate that meets the tail lamps
Figure 14 – 17-0035
Check for air leaks at all rear side body plugs, liftgate, grommets and pushpins. (Figures 15 – 16)

rear side body plugs, liftgate, grommets and pushpins
Figure 15 – 17-0035

rear side body plugs, liftgate, grommets and pushpins
Figure 16 – 17-0035
For the Edge, check for air leaks around the liftgate release switch housing and release switch located at the top of the housing. (Figure 17)
liftgate release switch housing
Figure 17 – 17-0035
Closely check all body seams and body sealer applications located behind the rear bumper cover for air leaks, especially near the extractor vents. (Figure 18)
behind the rear bumper cover
Figure 18 – 17-0035
Check the rear inner fender panel seams and body sealer applications for air leaks, especially at the top of the wheel arch and at the lower edges. (Figure 7)
Raise the vehicle and inspect the entire upper and lower seams around the spare tire well for sealer gaps and air leaks. (Figure 19)
spare tire well
Figure 19 – 17-0035
Check the left and right boxed sections located at the rear underside of the vehicle for leaks at the seams and at any body plugs or grommets.
Thoroughly check the rest of the rear underside of the vehicle for air leaks. (Figures 20 – 21)

rear underside of the vehicle
Figure 20 – 17-0035

rear underside of the vehicle
Figure 21 – 17-0035

Turn off the engine and climate control.

Clean and dry all leak areas noted earlier.

Seal all observed leaks as necessary using Motorcraft® Seam Sealer or equivalent.
Example of resealed spare tire well. (Figure 22)
resealed spare tire well
Figure 22 – 17-0035
Example of resealing along lower right rear of vehicle. (Figure 23)
resealing along lower right rear of vehicle
Figure 23 – 17-0035
Example of lower box seams and body plugs. (Figure 24)
lower box seams and body plugs
Figure 24 – 17-0035
Edge air leak identified at the liftgate switch. Remove and reseal the liftgate switch. Refer to WSM, Section 501-14.
Remove the liftgate switch.
Apply a thin bead of Motorcraft® Seam Sealer or equivalent around the outer edge of the liftgate switch. (Figure 25)
outer edge of the liftgate switch
Figure 25 – 17-0035
Reinstall the liftgate switch.
Inspect the liftgate switch from the bottom to verify no seam sealer has spilled out onto the switch. Clean as necessary. (Figure 26)
liftgate switch
Figure 26 – 17-0035

Remove all installed masking tape.

Verify the air extractors are not deformed. Replace the air extractor if it is damaged or warped.

Reinstall the rear bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.

Reinstall the rear tail lamp assemblies. Refer to WSM, Section 417-01.

Reinstall the right and left rear quarter panel splash shields and wheel opening trim moldings. Refer to WSM, Section 501-08.

Remove liftgate spoiler. Refer WSM, Section 501-08.

Remove and discard the original spoiler retainer clips with foam clip seals.

Install new spoiler retainer clips with foam seals. (Figure 27)
spoiler retainer clips with foam seals
Figure 27 – 17-0035

Seal the water hose at the tower foam with Motorcraft® Seam Sealer or equivalent.
Tower seal for Edge. (Figure 28)
Tower seal for Edge
Figure 28 – 17-0035
Tower seal for MKX. (Figure 29)

Tower seal for MKX
Figure 29 – 17-0035

Before reinstalling the spoiler, check all of the spoiler retainer clip holes in the liftgate are flat. Use a plastic head hammer or a block of wood to flatten any clip holes that might have been raised during spoiler removal.

Reinstall the spoiler.
Once installed, the spoiler tower seal and foam strip will compress around the rear washer hose and wiring.

Reprogram the heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) module to the latest calibration using IDS release 104.05 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com.
When reprogramming the HVAC, IDS will have additional questions which will require a yes response to reprogram the module.

Obtain Locally
Part Number Part Description
164-R4901 PVC (Soft Foam) Strips – Rotunda Squeak and Rattle Repair Kit


PART NUMBER PART NAME
EM2Z-61280B62-CA Grille – Air Inlet
TA-2-B Motorcraft® Seam Sealer
W716328-S300 Spoiler Trim Pin


OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
MT170035 Use SLTS Operations If Available; Claim Additional Diagnosis Or Labor Performed As Actual Time Actual Time


WARRANTY STATUS

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage.
Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.


DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
61280B62 42

TSB 17-0035_Exhaust Odor in Vehicle 2015+ Edge MKX.pdf

Edited October 22, 2017 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W

[gjb89]

I wonder what the fix to this is.

[macbwt]

The smell IMO is coming through the rear left and right vent flaps behind the bumper cover. I get this smell, but I have my window down a crack on the front passenger side and when I accelerate hard it comes into the cabin. Closed the window and no smell. The air has to escape out the vent flaps and when open the smell gets into the cabin of the edge. Not through the engine compartment.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Gives new meaning to the phrase a** flapping in the wind ...

[gg2017]

Info on exhaust in cabin:

 

 

https://ford.oemdtc.com/3015/exhaust-odor-in-the-vehicle-2015-2017-ford-edge-2016-2017-lincoln-mkx

Edited October 22, 2017 by gg2017

[akirby]

Just had this addressed at the dealer on our 16 mkx. I have not retested it or checked the paperwork to see exactly what they say they did.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Updated TSB 18-2057 due to incorrect procedure in 17-0035

TSB 18-2057 Exhaust Odor in Vehicle 2015+ Edge 2016+ MKX_Supersedes Incorrect Procedure in 17-0035.pdf

[omar302]

I have taken my car twice to our dealer (sole dealer in the country) and they are stating that TSB 18-2057 is not showing fit my vehicle in the OASIS report, I even gave them a copy. They stated that only TSB "16-2054" is showing up which I am not able to find anywhere.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

You know how dealerships are. You have to practically force them to do stuff sometimes even with official bulletins. Maybe they have not renewed their OASIS (or whatever they call it now) license? Maybe they are checking by VIN and it is not showing up under YOUR VIN?

 

I don't see the 16-2054 TSB either, could have been pulled from the web.

[omar302]

Yes, I know how they need to be persuaded, but apparently they now have a new technical team & it is becoming harder to convince them. It like they just don't want to acknowledge that a customer might understand some thing related to his vehicle. I told them that they should contact Ford & explain that even after applying their TSB 16-2054 the customer is still complaining of the issue & to ask what they should do next.

I got the attached screenshot from them regarding the aforementioned TSB.