Burning smell during hard acceleration

GOLDENDAVE

MEMBER
2017 FORD ESCAPE
2.0L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

While merging on to a highway under hard acceleration (3,000 to 5,000 rpm's) I notice a slight burning smell coming from the engine area through the cabin vents. The smell is most similar to burning plastic, maybe rubber. I can’t generate it under any other condition asides from hard acceleration.

During the most recent oil change (2,000 miles ago), they didn’t indicate there being any issues with the vehicle. Could the smell be due to using 89 octane gas instead of 92? Or is this normal for the ecoboost engine?

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you ran over a plastic bag and its stuck on the exhaust system somewhere which hearts under acceleration causing he small, look under the car to see if you can see something stuck. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 4:22 PM

GOLDENDAVE

MEMBER
51 POSTS

Hi Ken,

I took a look under the vehicle and didn't see any debris. There is a splash guard that protects the underside of the vehicle, it appears to be intact.

Linked are quick videos of the vehicle underside as well as the engine compartment from the top down. In the last day I did fill up with premium (93 octane) to see if that would make a difference. I have yet to be able to replicate the issue consistently.

Engine from top down:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18oSerYN1-LFB18F4nyDTpnWms3pECiLy/view?usp=sharing

Underside from driver's door:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EO5q8Mm4NYzkDSBNd6Kq3eqalO35YvW2/view?usp=sharing

Underside from front bumper:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gsS8pH3dHIK9sMZVl2TMJMwAZZXyLjO5/view?usp=sharing

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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT 4:44 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Thanks for the videos. No, I don't see anything melted to the exhaust from here. It could be something has fallen onto the exhaust manifold up by the engine or you have oil leaking onto it. Can you get a video up the exhaust manifold so I can see? Please upload the videos here in your response instead of linking them, so we can have it on the site.

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Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 AT 10:44 AM

GOLDENDAVE

MEMBER
51 POSTS

Here's a longer clip of the engine bay. It's pretty cramped so I wasn't able to show everything.

Video (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, May 9th, 2019 AT 8:40 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Thanks for the video, this is not a hybrid correct? I have seen hybrid batteries produce a smell when they are shorting out.

The next step is to put it up on a rack to see up under where the exhaust manifold is located. Something must have fallen onto it causing the burning smell. Please let me know.