Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[GrySql]

Different day, same smell.

 

I opened a case with Ford yesterday and was contacted by the Regional Customer Service Rep this morning. I made it clear that I am not dissatisified with my dealership and that I believe there is a larger problem, possibly a defect given the number of us reporting this issue. I expressed concern that the source of the water/mildew was not found and she is going back over my records to work with Ford Technical to see what can be done next.

 

As far as the next service call, they WILL NOT get my car until they provide me with an advance written troubleshooting plan and provide proof thereafter that they found the source, and repaired the problem. I'm one step away from starting down the lemon law path at this point and will reluctantly part with the ~$600 bucks for the air quality test.

 

With 86 degrees for a high temp today, that A/C ought to put out a significant amount of condensation. I will leave it running to confirm that it is in fact still draining and report my findings.

I think you are on the right path, your Dealer has done all they will do until Ford Engineering prompts them. Dealers don't get paid to solve Ford Corporate problems.

Sit tight for a short while as the Ford CS Rep works on your issue, if you haven't already, point her to this Thread on this Forum as additional info.

 

If this problem exists in so many cars on this Forum, one wonders how many non-Forum owners have the same issue but don't report it or just have their cards sprayed with deodorizer at the Dealers.

[aaronj1159]

I think you are on the right path, your Dealer has done all they will do until Ford Engineering prompts them. Dealers don't get paid to solve Ford Corporate problems.

Sit tight for a short while as the Ford CS Rep works on your issue, if you haven't already, point her to this Thread on this Forum as additional info.

 

If this problem exists in so many cars on this Forum, one wonders how many non-Forum owners have the same issue but don't report it or just have their cards sprayed with deodorizer at the Dealers.

Yeah I've been waiting to see what progress is made by other members. I've told my dealer about it but am not going to bring it in until I think they might be able to find a real fix, not just a temporary deodorizing solution.

[keithsm2]

guess mine is drainging again today...not much.....but a little.......It seems to be coming out of a pan on the underside.....closer to the drivers side than the passenger side.....Is this right??

[Riggo]

guess mine is drainging again today...not much.....but a little.......It seems to be coming out of a pan on the underside.....closer to the drivers side than the passenger side.....Is this right??

 

I noticed mine had a little puddle about 1.5" in diameter today. The smell isn't there from the AC either today.

 

Since it's suppoed to be much warmer here this week I think I'll be able to check it more often and see if the rising humiidty has an effect.

Edited October 2, 2013 by Riggo

[keithsm2]

 

I noticed mine had a little puddle about 1.5" in diameter today. The smell isn't there from the AC either today.

 

Since it's suppoed to be much warmer here this week I think I'll be able to check it more often and see if the rising humiidty has an effect.

Can you tell me where yours was draining from? drivers side or passengers side??

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

Here's a picture of how mine drains. Two puddles on either side of a pan or shield somewhat underneath of the center console. Pic taken from the driver's side.

 

[keithsm2]

ya...thats about what mine looks like....seems like it should be coming out of a hose instead it looks like its running out of the pan......( guess i need to jack it up and get a better look.)

[Riggo]

Can you tell me where yours was draining from? drivers side or passengers side??

 

Nope, because I'm an idiot and was in a hurry. I pulled the car out of the spot and then drove up next to it and opened the door and looked down at it. I should have got down and looked under the car at that point. I'm a moron :banghead:

[Riggo]

My Service Director got in contact with Ford and they gave them some tests to do and other things to look at. I'll be taking my car in Monday and will report back the findings when I get my car back.

 

I'm just hoping the smell will be there.

 

It is back today but only when I initially turn on the a/c. It's supposed to be 90 tomorrow and 88 Sunday so hopfully that helps the stink come back (I can't believe I want it to come back).

[keithsm2]

My Service Director got in contact with Ford and they gave them some tests to do and other things to look at. I'll be taking my car in Monday and will report back the findings when I get my car back.

 

I'm just hoping the smell will be there.

 

It is back today but only when I initially turn on the a/c. It's supposed to be 90 tomorrow and 88 Sunday so hopfully that helps the stink come back (I can't believe I want it to come back).

Please let us know ASAP......hope they find something

[Riggo]

Please let us know ASAP......hope they find something

 

Will do. They said they may need to keep the car a couple of days. :doh:

[keithsm2]

Just FYI.....if you open the hood...and get over on the passenger side and look down toward the back of the engine bay...you can see a hose come out of the back and then run down a ways and end with a flap on the end of it..... this looks like a AC drain.....I still havent seen anything come out of it...the day i "DID" see mine draining...it was coming out closer to the drivers side out of the pan...

[Riggo]

My car is now in the shop undergoing testing per Ford instructions. The service director said they are going to simiulate those humid conditions too, not sure how they'll do that. The car could be in there a few days so I'll let you know what they say when I get it back.

 

The rental they gave me is a Hyundai Sonata. I've now had a Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata rental while my car is in the shop. It makes me appreciate the Fusion even more. The Camry and Sonata don't even compare to the Fusion. To me it's like driving a luxury car vs. a bargain car. I do have the fully loaded Titanium Fusion though so that probably factors in my opinion of the other cars.

[hybridbear]

Interesting comment on the C-Max Hybrid Forum in response to a C-Max owner with a similar smell.

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/3016-weird-foul-smell-inside-maxus-and-it-isnt-coming-from-me/?p=33661

 

You have a common problem with A/C use. You'll need to treat it with the Frigi Fresh. The only way to avoid this problem is to turn off the A/C about 5 min. before you shut the car down. Just let the fan run without the A/C on before you arrive at your your destination. The condensation from A/C use needs to be dried before shutting the car down. Otherwise, you get a stinky smelling system like you have.

[SteveB_TX]

Just FYI.....if you open the hood...and get over on the passenger side and look down toward the back of the engine bay...you can see a hose come out of the back and then run down a ways and end with a flap on the end of it..... this looks like a AC drain.....I still havent seen anything come out of it...the day i "DID" see mine draining...it was coming out closer to the drivers side out of the pan...

 

That is the fresh air intake (cowl) vent drain. You won't see anything come out of it unless you pour some water in your cowl vent. :)

[keithsm2]

 

That is the fresh air intake (cowl) vent drain. You won't see anything come out of it unless you pour some water in your cowl vent. :)

awe....thanks..... so i still dont know where it is "Supposed" to drain from ......

[Riggo]

Interesting comment on the C-Max Hybrid Forum in response to a C-Max owner with a similar smell.

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/3016-weird-foul-smell-inside-maxus-and-it-isnt-coming-from-me/?p=33661

 

 

Yep, been there, done that with the Fridgi Fresh. It doesn't work for this problem. The whole shut down the car thing doesn't sit well with me. I've never had to do that in any other car I've owned. It seems completely ridiculous that I'd have to judge when I'm 5 minutes from home, turn the a/c off and run the fan only. I don't accept that as a solution :redcard:

[aaronj1159]

Interesting comment on the C-Max Hybrid Forum in response to a C-Max owner with a similar smell.

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/3016-weird-foul-smell-inside-maxus-and-it-isnt-coming-from-me/?p=33661

 

Yeah we've had similar suggestions on this forum. From my experience it makes no difference whether I shut off the AC early or not, the smell comes back with a vengeance. Also, as Riggo said I don't think that should be necessary.

[MD_Fusion_Lover]

 

Yep, been there, done that with the Fridgi Fresh. It doesn't work for this problem. The whole shut down the car thing doesn't sit well with me. I've never had to do that in any other car I've owned. It seems completely ridiculous that I'd have to judge when I'm 5 minutes from home, turn the a/c off and run the fan only. I don't accept that as a solution :redcard:

 

Right there with you Riggo!

 

I will not spray Lysol, try to remember what setting to leave the car in during or after operation, or continue to take mine in for a weekly detox. These are what I call workarounds and do NOT address the root cause of where the mildew/mold is forming or more importantly WHY!

 

I heard back from the Ford CSM today. Basically, no known problems so take it back to the dealer so they can try again. The smell gets stronger by the day. I have asked for an appointment for this Wednesday with the conditions I wrote about above and am waiting to hear back from the dealership. This will be my fourth service appointment for this specific problem and will also be notifying Ford and the MD Consumer Protection Division about the repeated, unsuccessful attempts to resolve this problem.

 

I can not pretend to love this car anymore, it has become a car I despise getting into.

[acdii]

acdii - have you tried asking one of the Ford reps on the Flex Forum why they aren't on here?

 

Yes I did, they dont have the staff to do it.

[corncobs]

Yes I did, they dont have the staff to do it.

I remember you saying the Flex forum is pretty dead should be easy to free up some staff. Maybe they don't wanna face a knowable crowd as we have here. ;-)

[GrySql]

I remember you saying the Flex forum is pretty dead should be easy to free up some staff. Maybe they don't wanna face a knowable crowd as we have here. ;-)

I think you're closer to the truth than that ambiguous 'don't have the staff' answer.

[hybridbear]

I was not suggesting that using a product or turning off the AC before reaching your destination was an acceptable solution. I was merely sharing information from the C-Max Forum since at least 1 C-Max owner has a similar issue. If you were to try the technique of turning off the AC as you approach your destination to allow time for the condenser to dry it would lend credence to the theory that the issue is drainage. More data also can help Ford identify the problem. If you're able to find a technique that works to eliminate the smell you are then closer to finding the source of the smell.

 

Yep, been there, done that with the Fridgi Fresh. It doesn't work for this problem. The whole shut down the car thing doesn't sit well with me. I've never had to do that in any other car I've owned. It seems completely ridiculous that I'd have to judge when I'm 5 minutes from home, turn the a/c off and run the fan only. I don't accept that as a solution :redcard:

Yeah we've had similar suggestions on this forum. From my experience it makes no difference whether I shut off the AC early or not, the smell comes back with a vengeance. Also, as Riggo said I don't think that should be necessary.

 

Right there with you Riggo!

 

I will not spray Lysol, try to remember what setting to leave the car in during or after operation, or continue to take mine in for a weekly detox. These are what I call workarounds and do NOT address the root cause of where the mildew/mold is forming or more importantly WHY!

 

I heard back from the Ford CSM today. Basically, no known problems so take it back to the dealer so they can try again. The smell gets stronger by the day. I have asked for an appointment for this Wednesday with the conditions I wrote about above and am waiting to hear back from the dealership. This will be my fourth service appointment for this specific problem and will also be notifying Ford and the MD Consumer Protection Division about the repeated, unsuccessful attempts to resolve this problem.

 

I can not pretend to love this car anymore, it has become a car I despise getting into.

 

 

Yes I did, they dont have the staff to do it.

I remember you saying the Flex forum is pretty dead should be easy to free up some staff. Maybe they don't wanna face a knowable crowd as we have here. ;-)

I think you're closer to the truth than that ambiguous 'don't have the staff' answer.

I would think that with the importance of the Fusion to Ford and the importance of the FFH that they would want to be involved here to help control their image. If you go to Google and type in "Fusion Hybrid" and some question or issue you almost always get our Forum as the first result. This means that a lot of internet users get directed here. I'd think that Ford would want to have some input into what is published here to make sure the information is accurate.

[acdii]

Thats what I explained to them in prior conversations. I will see what I can do. It would be very good for a rep from Ford to be a member here.

[Riggo]

Yeah I knew what you meant hybridbear. I didn't mean for my comment to sound like you were suggesting that. Sorry for the confusion! :-)