So last week my car suddenly started smelling like oil inside the car once I would stop. It seems to do it when the car is almost fully warmed up or whenever I dog on it. Mind you I had the PTU fluid changed a month ago, so there was a chance it would spilling out the breather. The car only has 65k miles. I took it to the dealership today and after 2 hours the tech rep came to me and showed me my VTA mod(only the front side was done). I told him I did it and it does not cause any issues other than the sound. He didn't seem to believe me. He decided that the pcv valve may be bad because of the VTA mod. Is that a thing? I don't understand how it would be the case. So I just went with it. I asked how is the oil level and he said there was hardly any oil loss.They came back and said they need to order parts and do it another day. So i looked at the list of parts he was ordering. And it included the pcv valve and a valve cover. I thought, why would they need to replace the valve cover if my VTA mod is "causing the problem". I'll just go with it since I have the Ford extended warranty, which I have yet to inform them that I have. I thought I would post the experience and maybe get some of your input before it gets the parts replaced next Monday.
Most likely/known culprits would be turbo oil line seal or valve cover gasket leak (plug well would have oil in it if so). Sounds like they are basically applying the TSB, and blaming your VTA as the cause. If anything, the VTA is supposed to help REDUCE the PCV problems, not increase them.
BTW, did you try reverting to stock and seeing if it made any difference in this case?
I had the Bank one valve cover gasket and spark plug well seals replaced after I discovered 2-3" of oil in the #3 well (rear driver's side) when I was regapping my plugs to install the tune (at about 3K miles).... but no oil smell.. I'd check the rear turbo externally since you're stock.... If anything, VTA should help keep the PCV valve working... Maybe it just wore out on your '10?.... Anyway I've put about 15K since the above and was VTA shortly before without issue.
Another thought, ...Following Manu's idea, I'd look for oil on something really hot...exhaust manifold (where the turbo mounts and beyond... if you can't see anything remember it could be leaking into (inside) the manifold.
x2 on that,what are they replacing the front valve cover? guess you really got lucky in two ways,one is having the X-warranty,and two is having all that work performed for free for a vta mod which in most cases could void your warranty for one vta mod not two,had mine replaced under warranty along with the oil seperator,they found oil along the rear valve cover,keep us updated.
They removed the mod without telling me and it still smells.
Tell them to check above your downpipes cats, there might be oil falling on top of the cats from the turbos (bad oil return line) or the PTU is leaking onto the exhaust.
So essentially, check the exhaust for oil stains.
Will do. Still waiting on parts
Parts are in. Car will go to the shop Saturday or Monday
Good luck!
Got the car back later this afternoon. They replaced a valve cover, a pcv valve, and a oil separator assembly per TSB 14-0196. Cost me 100 dollars for the warranty deductible. No oil smell so far the 7 miles I drove home. Time will tell. The TSB describes the issue as oil consumption/oil smell coming from exhaust at normal temperature. I'm not sure if i had burning oil in the exhaust, I think it was dripping like you guys described. Oh well. We will see.
Even if the fix is incidental to the problem, the results are all we care about :) esp at the cost of $100!
Great to hear you got her fixed up,any noticeable changes in power or engine sound? best of luck and hopefully its a permanent fix.
My butt dyno didn't notice a change in power unfortunately. And on my commute to work this morning, it came back. The smell is definitely not as strong, but it's there. I think i will wait a week and see if it's just leftover oil that just needs to be cooked off. If not then back to the shop it goes i guess.
Hmmm. Maybe it's escaping via a split hose at/near the intercooler (I think Rich/SHOnUup had posted a pic not long ago). If there are no obvious drips, the vapors would be enough to trigger the smell. Since it's not a stinky smell, we can rule out PTU involvement. No performance issues, probably not loose turbo piping.
Well, seems the smell is gone today. Good on ford for getting it right. Now just to talk them into fixing the random neutral drops.
PCM recalibration might do the trick.
Quinid - there is a TSB about it randomly dropping into neutral. I can't find it right off, but that happened to me. Another symptom is that the rear backup camera sometimes activates.
They replace the range shift indicator for that TSB.
TSB 13-5-27, Mark?
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,496.msg23786.html#msg23786 (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,496.msg23786.html#msg23786)
Thought I'd give an update. So the smell came back and i dropped it off for an oil change. Told them to look at the turbo again. When i picked it up they claimed there was random oil on the cat. So they washed it off. I glared at him and said, "So you are saying it will come back. " he replied, "well we hope not"
Wow. Confidence in ford is gone. ..
2 weeks later the smell came back but is now so strong going down the road it gives me and the mrs a headache. And just last night i could suddenly near a bearing whine with that random nasty vibration wobble noise a bad bearing makes. The pitch goes in accordance of road speed but the noise level does not go up or down in left or right turns. I think that extended bumper to bumper is about to pay itself off.
As far a neutral drops go. I have not had one since January and they still refuse to fix that unless it occurs in front of their mechanic..
Check your PTU fluid. It may be coming out of the vent and leaking down. The whine may be the PTU gears due to loss of fluid.
I wondered that too. I made them change the fluid in January. I'll bring it up. Thank u
Called the dealership Saturday and the dealership can not get me in until next Monday. And on the commute today that bearing or whatever just gave out. The cars driveline just started shuttering. The engine is fine but cv joint? Transmission? Oil smell went strong again right when it happened. Gotta get towed...
I think glock had it nailed with his PTU diagnosis for this issue. Could be RDU, but odds are PTU.
Should i give the tow truck driver any special instructions? Like flatbed it? Or the normal way with letting the rear tires roll on the pavement?
flatbed is best.
From the OM:
On AWD vehicles, it is required that your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the automatic transmission, AWD system or vehicle.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Ok thank you shodded
Best of luck on a quick fix.
Rich
Lol thank you. I have a spare car but its a 1957 chevy truck with a top speed of 60 with a whopping 90hp. Not exactly ideal for interstate use lol
More fun than a Smart Car though?
Absolutely! The stares people give ya are always fun.
Anyway, shop called. It's the PTU. You called it glock-coma. Does anyone know if the Ford extended bumper to bumper warranty covers a loaner? They said it will be at least 2 days for the parts.
The ESP plans (any level) say Rentals are Standard, along with Roadside Assistance. Not sure which plan you have.
http://www.factoryplans.com/assets/cms/files/brochure_FordESPPlanOptions.pdf (http://www.factoryplans.com/assets/cms/files/brochure_FordESPPlanOptions.pdf)
I really appreciate your help with this shodded. My week isn't so ruined now. I bought the best one Ford offered. Or atleast i told them that's what i wanted.
Fingers crossed they don't put you into the smallest sub subcompact they can find ;)
Glad they found the problem.
Hopefully you'll be back on the road soon.
Just got car back today. Drives like a champ. There's a new smell, but i think it's just new hot metal. I hope...
There's always a bit of smell with new parts, whether it's rubber or plastic or metal, adjusting to their in-service status :) No worries, till you have to!!!
X2 on what SHOdded said,also it could be carb cleaner that you smell,they use it to clean parts or check for vacuum leaks,give it a couple of days,best of luck. Z