Cooling system stinks up car even in winter

[SteveB_TX]

:kookie:

[Sleddog]

My dealer can't even get an oil change correct. I would never let them do that TSB to my FFH. I guess I'm lucky, I don't have the "smell" issue. Seeing the heart of the car sitting on the floor makes me cringe!

 

;( :sneaking: :runaway: :runaway: :rant2:

[corncobs]

Holy cow that looks insane.

[Texasota]

It is my understanding that the last of the 2014 FFHs in the order pipeline are being built right now (or they built the last 2014s very recently) and these will be followed by the 2015s. Do you suppose these last built 2014s and the early 2015s will already have this TSB fix included in them?

Edited June 14, 2014 by Texasota

[hybridbear]

It is my understanding that the last of the 2014 FFHs in the order pipeline are being built right now (or they built the last 2014s very recently) and these will be followed by the 2015s. Do you suppose these last built 2014s and the early 2015s will already have this TSB fix included in them?

I am under the impression that usually a fix is implemented at the factory first on new cars being assembled and then a TSB is released after that. So, any new cars built now should have the new part installed. Mattken claims that the new part still won't fix the issue, but that remains to be seen.

[GrySql]

. Mattken claims that the new part still won't fix the issue, but that remains to be seen.

If what the SA told me is true and what Mattken said is true there is a disconnect here somewhere.

Why would Ford be tearing out dashboards, removing doors and incurring enormous expense if Mattken is right?

Replacing a known, improperly performing part with the same part is bad business.

 

We're missing a part of the puzzle.

[gkinla]

If what the SA told me is true and what Mattken said is true there is a disconnect here somewhere.

Why would Ford be tearing out dashboards, removing doors and incurring enormous expense if Mattken is right?

Replacing a known, improperly performing part with the same part is bad business.

 

We're missing a part of the puzzle.

My sentiments entirely.

[mwr]

Mattken claims that the new part still won't fix the issue, but that remains to be seen.

 

Who is Mattken?

[mwr]

Do later 2014 models have this problem?

[hybridbear]

 

Who is Mattken?

You can find his posts in previous pages of this thread. He claims that the new unit being installed will not fix the problem and that the smell will return with the new unit.

[Texasota]

He claims that the new unit being installed will not fix the problem and that the smell will return with the new unit.

 

It would seem the only way Mattken could state this as fact is if he had the TSB fix applied to his car and then personally experienced the return of the odor (or has direct knowledge of this happening with another car). If this is not the case, then he is only speculating and we don't know what this speculation is based upon or what his motives are.

 

As pointed out in the above posts, this TSB fix is extremely complicated and expensive for Ford. I would not be surprised if the cost of this TSB erases a large percentage of the profit Ford made on the Fusion undergoing this TSB fix. I find it difficult to believe that Ford would deploy a TSB fix such as this if they know it does not fix the problem.

 

Something does not smell right here.

[GrySql]

Something does not smell right here.

That is the what the Topic is about, LOL! Good one....

 

BTW, Mattken says that he did have this big job done and it was useless.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5344-cooling-system-stinks-up-car-even-in-winter/?p=82103

Edited June 14, 2014 by GrySql

[Easy Rider]

BTW, Mattken says that he did have this big job done and it was useless.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5344-cooling-system-stinks-up-car-even-in-winter/?p=82103

I'm not sure you can rely on that report.

 

He was asked point blank exactly WHAT was done and he failed to come back and answer that question.

 

THEN......there is a dealer competency question. Even if they TOLD him that they did the complicated and expensive procedure.......how does anybody KNOW that they really did ??

[Texasota]

BTW, Mattken says that he did have this big job done and it was useless.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5344-cooling-system-stinks-up-car-even-in-winter/?p=82103

 

I should have gone back and looked at his post again. My apologies. He does state that the TSB fix was performed and that the smell returned after 1.5 weeks.

 

I have no reason to doubt his word that he had the TSB fix done. But, if the entire HVAC system was replaced (the same way it was done on cincidaddi's car) is it likely that mold would have returned and produced the odor again after just 10-11 days? That seems very fast to me but I am not knowledgeable on automobile HVAC systems.

[GrySql]

 

I should have gone back and looked at his post again. My apologies. He does state that the TSB fix was performed and that the smell returned after 1.5 weeks.

I have no reason to doubt his word that he had the TSB fix done. But, if the entire HVAC system was replaced (the same way it was done on cincidaddi's car) is it likely that mold would have returned and produced the odor again after just 10-11 days? That seems very fast to me but I am not knowledgeable on automobile HVAC systems.

Please note that this TSB 14-0099 was issued about 5 weeks ago, on May 5, 2014.

Think about the Ford TSB release date and the timing to order parts and do the repair.

 

This TSB pertains to some 2013-2014 Fusion and MKZ vehicles built on or before 2/24/2014, only. Models made after 2/24/2014 are not included.

 

The only cars we know on this Forum that have had this work done have not had a re-occurance of the smell, except for Mattken Moore's car in Canada.

Edited June 20, 2014 by GrySql

[hybrid47]

This may be a case of apples vs. oranges when trying to compare Mattken's repair to the TSB repair, since we do not know whether his repair was completed before or after the TSB was issued. What I mean by this is, that Mattken may have had his evaporator replaced, but with a stock part, long before the TSB was issued, and not with the redesigned part that Ford is recommending be used in the TSB repair. If this is the case, then his smell may have very well come back fairly soon, while those with the new revised evaporator coil assembly, per the TSB, are not having any reoccurrence of the smell problem. Mattken will have to provide clarity on what parts were used in his repair, before we can come to any conclusions.

 

By the way, my 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid also has the smelly AC problem, since about 6 months old, and the thought of having the whole dash taken out to repair this is not making me a bit happy.

[GrySql]

This may be a case of apples vs. oranges when trying to compare Mattken's repair to the TSB repair, since we do not know whether his repair was completed before or after the TSB was issued. What I mean by this is, that Mattken may have had his evaporator replaced, but with a stock part, long before the TSB was issued, and not with the redesigned part that Ford is recommending be used in the TSB repair. If this is the case, then his smell may have very well come back fairly soon, while those with the new revised evaporator coil assembly, per the TSB, are not having any reoccurrence of the smell problem. Mattken will have to provide clarity on what parts were used in his repair, before we can come to any conclusions.

 

By the way, my 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid also has the smelly AC problem, since about 6 months old, and the thought of having the whole dash taken out to repair this is not making me a bit happy.

Sure, I don't think any one of us wants to do this and with certain Ford Dealerships around me I wouldn't. My particular Dealer is great so I'm in.

 

As far as Mattken is concerned, more clarity and mechanical specifics would be welcome.

[GrySql]

I'm not sure you can rely on that report.

 

He was asked point blank exactly WHAT was done and he failed to come back and answer that question.

 

THEN......there is a dealer competency question. Even if they TOLD him that they did the complicated and expensive procedure.......how does anybody KNOW that they really did ??

If you want to follow Mattken Moore's dialog on his issue, look at this.

There are some large time gaps between some of his posts.

[hybrid47]

Mattken's first posts back in January indicated that he was already in arbitration working towards a buyback, this would lead me to believe that any work by Ford on his Ford Fusion, such as the evaporator replacement, had already occurred prior to that point and prior to the release of Ford's TSB in May.

[cincidaddi]

To follow up on my post a couple of days ago regarding the completion of TSB 14-0099... all was well until I tried my windshield wipers for the first time since the TSB was completed. They had worked perfectly prior but would not come on. The wipers moved about an inch and stopped. I took the car back to the dealer today and they said it is caused by a faulty wiper motor that needs to be replaced. The resistance of the motor was 4 times what it should read. The service advisor told me it was a complete coincidence that the motor went out and it had nothing to do with the removal of the entire dash. Really????

I'm curious to know if anyone else winds up with non-working wipers. Could it be possible for wiring of the wiper controls on the steering column causing a short? Or could it be that during the disassembly/assembly process the mechanics accidentally engaged/shorted the wires and screwed up the motor?

Nevertheless a wiper motor was ordered and it is supposed to be replaced tomorrow.

[GrySql]

Thanks for the update, I hope to remember to try everything before I leave the Dealer. Whenever that is, with the shortage of A/C units it may be a while.

[gkinla]

To follow up on my post a couple of days ago regarding the completion of TSB 14-0099... all was well until I tried my windshield wipers for the first time since the TSB was completed. They had worked perfectly prior but would not come on. The wipers moved about an inch and stopped. I took the car back to the dealer today and they said it is caused by a faulty wiper motor that needs to be replaced. The resistance of the motor was 4 times what it should read. The service advisor told me it was a complete coincidence that the motor went out and it had nothing to do with the removal of the entire dash. Really????

I'm curious to know if anyone else winds up with non-working wipers. Could it be possible for wiring of the wiper controls on the steering column causing a short? Or could it be that during the disassembly/assembly process the mechanics accidentally engaged/shorted the wires and screwed up the motor?

Nevertheless a wiper motor was ordered and it is supposed to be replaced tomorrow.

 

I think there are two wiper motors. The reason I say this is, when parked, the right wiper is the lower one with the left above. One day, after washing the car, I purposely put them down opposite. When I started the car the wiper on top which now was the right, moved up out of the way and then the left moved up, the right went down followed by the left. After washing the car if I get the wipers down not in the correct position they will park themselves and not move again until used.

 

Now the reason I mentioned this, after the CCH was replaced the dealer washed the car before I picked it up. When I started the car the wipers moved slightly into the parked position, I thought no big deal as this happens to me after a car wash. When I got home and shut the car off the wipers moved again to the position they were when I picked up the car. Key on wipers move, key off the wipers move. Not right. I took the car back. The SA confirmed this, took the car back to the tech and found the wipers were not replaced in the correct position. All is well now, wipers don't move unless I want to use them. I'm just saying, I maybe wrong, that they got the wipers blades on incorrectly and it is a simple fix.

Edited June 17, 2014 by gkinla

[corncobs]

acdii showed me that wiper synchronization the other day very cool and that little jerk might just be what cincidaddi is seeing.

 

Something tells me gkinla is right on but we don't know if cincidaddi tried to actually use his wiper and then they stopped.

[BK Fusion]

So I finally got our Fusion in on June 9th to deal with the smell issue. I mentioned the TSB and my concerns when I made the appointment, but when I got there it was "we'll take a look at it". Got a voicemail a few hours later that it was "done." Made my way out to the dealer to pick it up, and the adviser was gone but I was handed the keys bu someone else. They gave it the YN-29 treatment. The smell was now more like rotten flowers. Like if you have roses for feet and wore plastic shoes all day, every day. Nasty, but from reading here I figured we'd give it a few days and not run it in recirc to see if it cleared up.

 

The smell persisted, and I got a "Let us know how your experience was" email. I filled it out honestly, not trying to be overly rude or anything, but I wasn't happy, and this appears to be a large problem with a large amount of vehicles and that it wasn't being handled appropriately. We paid extra to have a nice leather interior, that now smelled horrible. Also I got stranded by the dealer because no one thought to mention that their shuttle service only ran until 3pm, but that's a different issue.

 

Yesterday I got a voicemail from the Service Department Manager. He said he "just found out" that there was a TSB for this issue, and our car is included. He said that there are 200 units in production and one will be coming for our car. It includes a redesigned plenum and that they would need the car for 3-4 days, and that we would have a rental for whole time.

 

I'm nervous about this, but it smells so bad that we tend not to drive it. The smell is so strong that we were at a friends house with a newer fusion, and they could smell it when we opened the doors when they were 10-15 feet away. If this fix doesn't work we are going to be getting rid of it one way or another.

[GrySql]

He said that there are 200 units in production and one will be coming for our car. It includes a redesigned plenum and that they would need the car for 3-4 days, and that we would have a rental for whole time.

Those are key words, a 'redesigned plenum' means these units are not the same as the original units being put in the FFH's.

Now it makes sense why Ford is spending the money on a TSB to replace them.